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Special Education - Transition |
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Shadows
see job duties clearly
Job-shadowing students get an up-close view at
a typical day’s work in their field of interest
Do
you ever feel like someone is looking over your shoulder? Tanya
Grant, Youth Employment Counselor for the
Fulton-Montgomery-Schoharie Private Industry Council, wants more
local business people to share that feeling. Grant arranges job
shadowing opportunities for high school students from the five
local high schools participating in the Model Transition Program
(MTP).
The
state-funded program helps students with disabilities make the
transition from school to post-school activities leading to
employment. Job shadowing is one of many coordinated activities
that take into account the individual student’s strengths and
employment interests to help them develop goals and objectives
for adult life after school.
Sixteen
Gloversville High School students recently had the chance to
tour the John C. Miller Auto Dealership in Gloversville,
checking under the hood and kicking the tires of the sales and
service department to learn what it takes to work as an auto
mechanic.
In
Northville, several students are participating in individual job
shadows. One student learned the day-to-day routine of an auto
mechanic at Eschler’s Garage. Another student spent time at
FMCC’s Playmates Daycare, while others visited Klipples Kountry
Korner, House of Pizza, and Midas.
Grant
is arranging for 16 Johnstown students to tour Wal-Mart’s
Distribution Center, and has set up an arrangement for Brown’s
Ford to host job shadowing students from Broadalbin Perth.
Becky
Brennan, Employment Resources job coach, is arranging for the
life skills class at Mayfield High School to be visited by a
veterinarian and an environmental conservation officer. |
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If you want to go to college, it's time to
ACT
You must look at what you're doing in high
school and make sure that your courses are what you need for
college. What type of diploma will you be eligible to obtain?
Look at how
assistive technology
can help you do your work more independently (spell checkers,
calculators, software for reading and writing assistance etc.).
Consider taking math in your senior year to prepare you for
entrance and placement exams. Attend your IEP meetings and speak
up. |
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VESID connects students with job placement agencies
Finding a job after
high school can be hard work. Which local businesses are hiring?
Who has an opening that is right for me? These are just two
questions that can lead to frustration. For a high school
student preparing to enter the working world, the prospects can
be intimidating.
But local help with the answers is available.
The Gloversville
Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with
Disabilities (VESID) office helps high school students
throughout the year make connections with local service
providers that will assist them in
finding jobs.
Job developers in
Employment Resources (CEN) and the Resource Center for
Independent Living know what employers in the area are hiring
people with a student’s particular interests and strengths.
These job developers help bring employer and job seeker
together, as well as
assist students with properly completing applications, learning
effective interviewing skills and learning about the world of
work. Once a student is hired a job coach from VESID serves as a
support for the student on the job. Job coaching services are
available to assist students to make this important transition
into work.
You can meet with
Joe Schifano, VESID’s youth liaison vocational counselor, at
your high school, the one-stop center or the Gloversville VESID
Offi ce. Contact Joe at 773-2884, or through email at
jschifan@nysed.mail.gov. |
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Toy
or Tool?
Digital technology
converts handwritten notes into word processing files
There
is a fun new technology that converts handwritten notes into
computer and word processing files. This could be a real asset
for those that enjoy writing instead of keyboarding their
thoughts.
The
FLY Fusion Pentop computer and Logitech’s io2 Digital Writing
System both work the same way. When you write on the special
digital paper, your handwriting is automatically captured and
digitized. The file can then be uploaded to your computer and
converted to editable text. The result
is a clean, accurate copy of what you have written on the
special paper.
The
FLY Fusion pen is designed with the everyday user in mind. The
obvious application is for taking notes, but the since the pens
are actually mini-computers, users find some interesting
capabilities at their fingertips.
Math calculations are instantaneous using the FLY Fusion pen.
Powerful spell-checking tools are included in the basic
software.
With
optional software a user can write a word in English and hear it
translated into French or Spanish instantly. The pen also plays
MP3 tunes. Other homework and gaming software is available to
download directly to
the pen through your PC.
We at
FMCC looked into the pen as a way for note takers to convert
their handwritten notes into word files that we could email to
students. The FLY Fusion pen costs $80 new. Additional notebooks
cost $8.
You
can learn more about it at their
Web site.
The Logitech io2 system is more expensive when purchased new,
but used systems are available on ebay at significantly reduced
prices. |
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Paid Work Study Program through VESID
For
students who are working with VESID, there is now a paid work
study opportunity. Work study with VESID involves:
• VESID counselor, student, and
school agree on work study placement
• Student worker paid by the
employer
• The employer is reimbursed wages
by VESID
• Maximum 1,040 hours, Can work up
to 20 hours a week.
For
more information, contact Joe Schifano at VESID (518) 773-2884
or by email at
jschifan@nysed.mail.gov. |
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VESID can help with college training
College training may be provided by VESID when
required to achieve an agreed-upon goal in the Individualized
Plan for Employment (IPE). Your VESID counselor will work with
you to help select a goal that matches your interests and skills
and will help you succeed in the workforce.
[more] |
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Assistive technology: What is it?
Advances in software have allowed us to be
"smarter" users of technology. Software developers have focused
on making our work easier. Many times these products originate
from a need to help people with disabilities overcome barriers
in work and in life. Fortunately these products are user
friendly and appeal to many people who want to take advantage of
labor saving devices to work "smarter not harder."
[more] |
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