Intellectual Disabilities (or PWID)

Occupational skills

I remember the first job. It was set up with an agency that helps people with disabilities find and keep jobs with companies while paying them a small wage. This enables not only the company to get help but it encourages the PWID to achieve the goal of employment. My pwid worked for the agency a short amount of time when the company hired her full time. It was a wonderful honeymoon, but when hands change to new management the understanding went out the door.

Most people, whether they have a disability or not, like consistency. The PWID is stuck in the middle not knowing what will happen next. Employers, who are not familiar with the person with a disability, revert to using rules and standards made for people without disabilities. It’s easier for them and since the pwid is doing the job, no special allowances are even thought of again.

Most employers are not trained to help the person with disabilities. They have quotients that need to be met and find the PWID is more of a nuisance than a help. They believe all they need to do is be nice to the PWID. It is not only unfair to the person with the disability but to the company that hired them. That is why job coaches are an invaluable commodity. I believe there should be standards in place that help companies run their business with people who have disabilities.  The job coach is there to navigate the system for both the employee and the employer.

I believe getting and having a job for the PWID is very difficult, because their world is turned upside down with the demands of the job. It abruptly takes them out of their comfort zone.  The person with the disability has, for the most part, been the center of attention. Because the need is great, caretakers and parents have tried many venues to get them help, which means the focus has been on them and what people can do for them.

Taking the pwid from the sheltered environment and placing them in a position to help people rather than get help is a change in the routine. That is why they have organizations to help the pwid adjust to the change. You can ask your local case manager for help finding an organization that will enable your pwid to aspire for a job that will help with independence.

The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) is out there to help the person with disabilities have a respectful and dignified role in the workplace. I know that it is uncomfortable to realize that people would not automatically give the respect the PWID deserves, but ignorance is at play here. Most people don’t understand that people with disabilities have feelings and are not stupid.

 I would strongly suggest that you, as the caretaker, familiarize yourself with pertinent information, concerning their pwid. The employers do not have the right to change the rules because your PWID does not meet the norm. Employers sometimes treat PWID as second class citizens and assume it is okay. We need to be like a dog with a bone providing a quality standard for the person with the disability. The employers will, hopefully, understand that the PWID not only have the right to be treated fairly but there is also a legal obligation for that to happen.