Work & Leisure Planning

Definitions:

Adult Day Training: is a service provided through an adult training center. These centers are located in the community and have structured activities to help people learn. For example, in some adult training centers, people learn how to do things that can help them get a job, like growing and caring for plants, assembling a particular item, preparing food, cleaning homes or doing janitorial work in business offices. Sometimes the individuals are paid a small salary while they are learning these skills. This training may be the first step in preparing someone to work at a full time job. However, not all adult training centers provide training of a vocational nature and lead to a job.

Adult day training may also include activities that help people improve or maintain daily living skills like brushing their teeth, preparing simple meals and doing laundry. In addition, adult training centers may offer music and art therapy, social activities, activities to help improve communication and activities to provide sensory stimulation.

People who go to adult day training usually follow a schedule similar to a work or school schedule. Individuals go to the center either for part of the day or for the whole day, for up to five days a week. People bring their lunch or lunch may be served by the program, perhaps for a fee.

Community service: has at its root generally acknowledged needs of the community and actions by community members. It may be provided without compensation (e.g., Americorps) or participants can receive limited compensation.

Follow-Along (or Extended Services): are ongoing support services, both on and off the job site as needed, to support and maintain individuals in employment.

Job Coach (Employment Specialist, Employment Consultant): is the person responsible in supported employment for assisting persons with disabilities to obtain and succeed in meaningful jobs they most desire.

Service learning: uses community service as a vehicle to enhance individual development for the purpose of achieving learning objectives.

Supported Employment: is a service that helps people develop the skills necessary to get and keep a job. It can include helping people identify the types of work they would like to do, assisting them to get a job, and providing on-the-job training.

Each person has a supported employment coach who helps the individual identify a job best suited to his or her skills and interests. Next, the coach looks for job opportunities in the community that pay at least minimum wage. If the individual is interested in a job where there is an opening, the coach will help that person get the training needed to do the work. This often involves on-the-job training by support staff, coworkers, or both. When someone starts a new job, the supported employment coach often goes to work with the individual to help him or her learn the job and get to know coworkers. Coaches continue to work with the individual on the job as long as support and supervision are needed.

Any individual with the skills and desire to become employed is eligible for this service. There are no requirements for previous job skills or training or vocational evaluations. Supported employment is for people who, because of the nature and severity of their disability, need ongoing supports in order to work in competitive employment. Ongoing supports may include things such as transportation, job site training and retraining, family support and counseling, counseling or consulting with employers and coworkers, or any other services needed to maintain job stability.

Supported employment is a service often provided by professionals who work for an agency, or by individuals who are certified to provide it.

Vocational Rehabilitation: is a federally mandated service administered in each state that provides various resources and support to assist individuals with disabilities to obtain meaningful employment.

Social Security Benefits and Work Incentives:

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)- is a federal benefit program for people who have worked and paid social security taxes for one quarter of the year or more each year after age 21, and become disabled and unable to work at a "substantial level". If the person's disability occurred before age 22, he or she might collect benefits if either parent is eligible for social security.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)- is a federal welfare program for people who meet the disability requirements and who have little or no income or resources. The level of benefits to be received varies. It is a good idea for a person to apply for SSI before starting work, preferably at age 18.
• Plan to Achieve Self-support (PASS)- is available to both SSI recipients and SSDI beneficiaries to lower their income enough to be eligible for SSI. The PASS must include a specific occupational objective, a budget of expenses and income, timeframes, how money will be spent, and why these expenses are needed to achieve the goal. PASS funds can be used for purchasing services, equipment, supplies, or any other items needed to help find and keep a job. Plans have been approved for the cost of transportation, prosthetics, and supported employment services.

  It may be wise to seek the help of a state vocational rehabilitation counselor to write a PASS, but anyone can help. Your local Social Security Office will review the plan and must provide written approval or denial. If the plan is denied, the Social Security Office is required to state what is wrong with the plan. The person can then resubmit it with the required changes.

Voluntary service: arises out of one's own free will. An individual makes the decision to give willingly of his/her time and ability to a valued activity.

Retirement: for a person with a disability means a change of daily activity from a job or work training to a less structured routine. Retirement activities usually include more community participation, socialization, and leisure. An individual may choose to retire completely or combine a part-time job and retirement, just as in the general population.