Special Education - Transition

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
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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."
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