School to Work Profiles

Planning Ahead
How do you help a 14-year old 8th grader with Cerebral Palsy and visual deficits achieve her dream job?  Easter Seals was presented with this very challenge when this determined student was referred for a vocational evaluation.  Her school, taking a progressive approach, facilitated the collaboration between their team, Easter Seals and the student.  Everyone’s objective was clear: to help her identify a personal vocational goal and develop the best plan possible to attain the goal. The school could then productively utilize the high school years to provide the best opportunity for her to prepare for the chosen career path.

A Vocational Evaluation was performed to assess the student’s interests, preferences, aptitudes and learning abilities. The following accommodations were made to promote the student’s independence in participating in the assessment:
- Enlarged printed test material
- Lap top
- Testing material either scanned or created for computer use
- Document holder with line minder

The assessment ultimately supported the student’s desire to work in a ‘caregiving’ field; particularly with animals. Easter Seals made the following recommendations:
1. Student to focus on academics
2. Student to explore the Delta Society (pet therapy) and
    possibility of visit or volunteer
3. Student to complete an Assistive Technology evaluation
    to assess computer usage, mounting system, and
    Software/hardware needs.

The outcome of this collaboration helped prepare this student for a valuable, fruitful and enriching career.  Easter Seals has the expertise, experience and compassion to help any student achieve their goals by providing the personalized ‘tools’ to boost self esteem, focus on attainable career paths, and fully develop an independent mindset of happiness and success!  Easter Seals is ready to make a difference with your students too!

Choosing a Job
As a senior in high school, this 18-year old student with Spina Bifida was ready to stretch his wings of independence and start looking for a career that fulfilled his ultimate desire to work with animals.  He was referred to Easter Seals for a vocational evaluation and job placement assistance with the specific appeal of helping him to determine a realistic vocational goal. The core of his vocational assessment included situational assessments, along with standardized interest and academic testing. The situational assessment process provided an opportunity for the student to explore his abilities and aptitudes in a “hands-on” manner.

We identified opportunities for him to experience career options in industries that specifically cater to animals to create that link in his career goal.  We recommended Job Shadowing services to reinforce his desires. Job Shadowing’s purpose is to provide a student with an opportunity to observe various jobs within a career field. In this student’s case, he visited:
- A pet supply store
- Veterinarian’s office
- Service dog organization

The student had an opportunity to observe, ask questions and try ‘hands on’ tasks so that he was able to make an ‘informed choice’ regarding his career goal. The student opted for work in the pet supply store. He continues to increase his hours there and is training to increase his job responsibilities within the retail setting. He has also received his learner’s permit.