One out of five Americans has a disability. Two-thirds of these individuals who are of working age are not employed. This is costing our nation an estimated $200 billion dollars annually in public and private assistance and another $100 billion dollars lost in unrealized wages and taxes. The most tragic part of this scenario is that these individuals want to work and are qualified to work, but are not given the opportunity. (Facts taken from a poll of 48 states conducted in 1996 by the United Cerebral Palsy Association.)
“Attitudes toward people with disabilities are the biggest barriers for finding jobs,” states Audrey Suker, director of Vocational Services for Courage Center, a non-profit organization that provide rehabilitation, enrichment and independent living services for people with physical disabilities and sensory or neurological impairments. “One thing that’s helping to break down some of those barriers and really open doors for people with disabilities is technology.” Independence, work opportunities, and educational potential for people with disabilities are improved through the use of both high and low technology.
Finding Independence
Jay Metcalf is an excellent example of how adaptive technology is enabling a person with a severe disability to pursue a dream -- having a job. Born in 1968, Metcalf was later diagnosed with athetoid cerebral palsy with spastic quadriplegia.
Nonverbal and unable to control his arms and legs, Metcalf has frequent spasms in his limbs. He uses a power wheelchair for mobility and an augmentative communication device for conversation (this is a computerized system that synthesizes speech). Metcalf has enough control of his neck and head movements to successfully operate a switch, but he is unable to hold a mouthstick.
In 1989, Metcalf moved into the residential program at Courage Center located in Golden Valley, Minnesota. While at Courage Residence, he worked on skills that would allow him to live more independently. Metcalf had access to occupational, physical, and speech-language therapists, independent living skills specialists, therapeutic recreation professionals, rehabilitation technicians, and adult basic education and vocational services. According to Suker, he was highly motivated and participated in all the services available but had a special interest in vocational planning as he hoped to work one day.
Vocational Computer Assessment
Following a referral from his vocational counselor, Metcalf met with computer specialist Jennifer Mundl in August of 1991 to begin a week-long vocational computer assessment.
“The goals of this assessment included identifying an appropriate access method, assessing Jay’s current skills, evaluating his potential to learn new computer material, exploring career options and job development,” explains Mundl. “Our first focus was choosing an efficient and easy-to-use access method.” Several switches were tested until Jay decided on a joystick with a single switch that operated when he pressed a three inch stick to the right with his chin to activate the computer.
Next, the keyboard was programmed with software that predicts words, based on one or several letters entered by the user. This reduces the total number of keystrokes required. Another adaptation utilized to increase speed and ease of use was an abbreviation software program. This is similar to word prediction software except that it is user-defined and doesn’t appear on the screen. One example would be an abbreviation for Jay’s name. After it is defined and entered in the computer’s memory, Jay can type “jm” and the computer automatically types out “Jay Metcalf.”
With these adaptive tools, Metcalf is able to independently operate a computer for word processing, spreadsheet use and database application. His sequencing, memory, problem-solving abilities and comprehension of computer concepts are average to above average, states Mundl.
On The Road To Employment
To acquire the skills necessary for landing a job, Metcalf enrolled in Courage Center’s Computer Skills Training Program. He set two goals, according to Suker, to learn to efficiently operate a computer through adaptive access techniques and to gain marketable knowledge in business software programs.
Metcalf completed training in May 1992 and started a work experience program. “The goals of this program were to help Jay gain knowledge about work, employer expectations, and interacting with supervisors or coworkers,” explains Suker. Metcalf was paired with a volunteer mentor who played the role of supervisor for a data entry position at Courage Center. “He proved to be an excellent worker who was dedicated and produced high-quality material,” Suker notes.
The next step was to pursue employment. Together, Metcalf and his vocational counselor decided that he should search for a career using his data entry and word processing skills. But even with Jay’s enthusiasm and skills, finding a job is not easy, says Suker.
One option for Metcalf was Courage Center’s DataAbility Program, an in-house program that provides data entry services for companies and work opportunities for disabled individuals who possess good computer skills. With this program, Courage Center obtains contracts from various companies and a group of disabled workers is placed on each contract and together finish the data entry project. Each person involved is paid on a per-piece basis and may work part-or full- time. A staff person is available to assist with work needs such as problem-solving, computer set up and manipulating the needed materials.
Today, Metcalf works five days a week, and he continues to learn new software and increase his efficiency.
Opening Doors
“Jay is just one of 50 persons each year who finds employment through Courage Center,” Suker states. “Our participants have jobs in companies such as St. Paul Companies, Best Buy, 3M, Land O’Lakes, Pillsbury and many more. Positions include database manager, data entry specialist, customer service, receptionist, administration assistant, internet researcher and self employed positions.
“The biggest barrier for employment of people with disabilities is the myths and misconceptions which lead to discriminatory attitudes. For example, many businesses may be intimidated to hire a person with a disability because they feel the cost of adaptive equipment is too high. The majority of adaptations cost less than $50 with companies reporting an average return of $28.69 in benefits for every dollar invested in making an accommodation.” Suker adds that her statistics are drawn from a cost and benefit analysis done by the President’s Committee’s Job Accommodation Network in 1995.
“Technology has made enormous strides in assisting people with disabilities to work without a prohibitive price tag. As more people realize the advantages of employing people with disabilities, the entire nation will benefit by greater productivity and decreased spending. It may take initial payouts for adaptive equipment, but the investment will result in more efficient spending and paybacks,” Suker states. (ARA)
For more information on Courage Center Vocational Services Computer Program, call: voice 612/520-0567 or TTY 612/520-0508. For more information on the other 70 Courage Center programs call: 612/520-0520 or fax 612/520-0577. Courage Center is located at 3915 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, MN, 55422.
Courtesy of Article Resource Association; www.aracopy.com; e-mail: info@aracopy.com
