Date: 09/03/2015
Final
Employment and On-the-Job Training
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE BLIND
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02:17 PM -- Employment and On-the-Job Training
Dr. Edward Bell, Director of the Institute on Blindness at Louisiana Tech University, came to the table. He discussed employment outcomes for persons who are blind and data related to vocational rehabilitation services outcomes. He stated that in 2011 he conducted research that indicated that a significant factor in keeping people who are blind employed after vocational rehabilitation services was access to adaptive technology. He stated that vocational rehabilitation services that have counselors who are well trained in the needs of low vision and blind clients create better employment outcomes.
02:27 PM
Mr. Kevan Worley, representing Worley Enterprises and the National Association of Blind Merchants, came to the table. He stated that entrepreneurship should be a large component of any vocational rehabilitation services available persons who are blind. He noted that the current Business Enterprise Program (BEP) staff helping blind vendors in Colorado are excellent, but there is more opportunity for expansion. He believes there should be more targeted efforts to reach out to minority, women, veterans, and seniors with entrepreneurial opportunities. He expressed that there should be more opportunity for blind vendors in Colorado to work with other organizations in Colorado besides BEP. He noted that even vending machines in state buildings have accessibility issues. He stated that adding specific staff for the blind within DVR would help create more entrepreneurial opportunities for blind vendors in Colorado. Also, he discussed the need for better procurement systems, new tax incentives, and the end of BEP exemption for Colorado institutions of higher education. He noted that navigating opportunities for small businesses can be challenging and that vocational rehabilitation needs to be proactive in helping blind merchants. In response to committee questions, he stated his opinion that CDLE is open to expanding entrepreneurship opportunities for persons who are blind through vocational rehabilitation.
02:48 PM
Ms. Tera Lynn Gray, representing the Employability Center (center) at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind (CSDB), came to the table. She discussed the students served by her program and stated that the goal of the center is to make sure every student can achieve their goals and find their dream jobs. She stated that the program focuses on three areas: post-secondary education, employment, and independent-living skills. She described how the center targets students from kindergarten to the time they leave the CSDB. She described how the center helps students in their junior year by introducing students to DVR. The center works with DVR to arrange visits to DVR locations to meet with DVR counselors. She also described a paid, competitive internship program the center offers to students to gain work experience and on-the-job training. In addition, she explained the Bridges to Life program for students ages 18-21 which helps students transition into employment and independent living. She stated that the Bridges to Life program serves not just the students at the CSDB, but students living beyond Colorado Springs. In response to committee questions, she stated that the center has over 110 partnering employers in Colorado. She noted the biggest barrier to students getting employment is misunderstandings among employers about blindness. She stated the center strives to get tools in the hands of students to achieve employment and the necessary training available to use the technology that helps them in their employment. As for post-secondary education, she stated that the College in Colorado website is not accessible to students who are blind. At the request of her students, she stated that better transportation is needed for persons who are blind to be able to get to work. In response to committee questions, she noted that the center is just for CSDB students, but that CSDB does work with rural and other school districts.
03:10 PM
Mr. Petr Kucheryavyy, representing the Colorado Center for the Blind (CCB), came to the table. He discussed how he assists CCB clients and works with DVR to help persons who are blind gain employment. He mentioned that he helps clients write resumes, work on public speaking, practice for interviews, and work with technology. He stated that the greatest barriers and challenges to finding employment for persons who are blind is the public perception of blindness. He suggested that there should be efforts by DVR to reach out and offer education to potential employers. He noted that educating vocational rehabilitation counselors on the specific barriers facing persons who are blind would help his clients find successful employment. He discussed his personal experiences as a student and person who is blind in his home state of Georgia and in Colorado. He noted the importance of effective vocational rehabilitation counselors and that the counselors have a large impact on the success of their clients who are blind. He stated that youth, especially students age 16-18, need to be able to access vocational rehabilitation services. In response to committee questions, he discussed incentives that are needed to help employ persons who are blind. He noted that, in his opinion, direct payment options thorough DVR rather than tax credits, which are extra work for employers, might work better for potential employers.