Supported Employment: Training Frontline Staff - SAMHSA Store ...

In addition, using the term disability with
employers serves the purpose of establishing a legal
status for consumers so that, if necessary, they may
benefit from protections under the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA). By notifying the employer
that the person has a disability, the employer is
required to provide reasonable accommodations to
help the person carry out the tasks of the job. For
example, someone who has paranoid thoughts may
feel more comfortable if her desk is placed so that
people so not always walk behind her.
While you are deciding when to disclose to
employers and the types of information you
should disclose, remember to provide information
only when it is likely to be helpful. For example,
in Anita’s situation, you might want to let the
employer know at some point that she probably
will work best at a private work station and not
alongside a lot of people because she sometimes
feels fearful around others.
In general, many employers are mostly interested
in employees who will get the job done and are
less interested in their personal backgrounds.
Employers are also interested in potential
employees who have been screened by an
employment specialist as being a good fit with
the job and work environment. They appreciate it
when you offer them backup and support in the
form of followup services, in case the employee has
difficulties on the job.
You will be more successful in negotiating jobs if
you present yourself professionally and confidently.
Over time, you will become skillful in determining
how much information to give prospective
employers. You will find that some employers are
very interested in offering opportunities to qualified
people who have disabilities, and it is common for
employers to have family members or friends who
have a mental illness.
A key to job development is being prepared.
Know how you are going to introduce yourself to
employers. Employers will quickly detect if you
are unsure and hesitant in your job. Rehearse your
script many times before you use it with employers.
If you engage employers confidently because you
truly believe in an individualized job match that
benefits both consumers and employers, you will
have many successes.
Some consumers are willing to disclose their mental
illness to prospective employers and, with these
people, you can play a pivotal role in identifying and
pursuing job leads. Others prefer not to disclose the
psychiatric disorder and, with these people, your
role is to support the consumer in the process of
finding a job, while remaining “behind the scenes.”
Module 3 8 Assessment and Job Finding