The Cracks in the Disability Rehabilitation Center

First, welcome to the Living With Disabilities Advocacy Website. It's run by none other than Katrina Smith, who's a person with a learning disability. Her mission behind Living With Disabilities is to bring awareness to all people with disabilities.

 Today Living With Disabilities wants to talk about The Cracks in the Disability Rehabilitation Center.
 
People with disabilities are the same as our abled-body counterparts. And need to provide for ourselves. But, it becomes complicated when it comes to getting a job. Due to the fact of how society sees mental and physical disabilities.

 How do people in society see people with disabilities? unable to provide for ourselves and to depend on our parents, guardian, caretaker, or even our spouse. This also includes money coming from our social security and etc...

  In 1973 The Rehabilitation Act was created. It was the first law to provide equal access for people with disabilities by removing structural, employment, and transportation barriers.
 The Rehabilitation Act changed and provided grants and programs for the Vocational rehabilitation service to support independent living client assistance. The united states Department of Educations Rehabilitation Services Administration manages the grant program. 

Furthermore, some people with disabilities have been trying to drill through the DORS (Department of Rehabilitation Services). And if people with mental and physical disabilities have to drill through society's mindset, this means there is a crack in the system. A system that was supposed to help them gain access to resources for self-sufficiency instead created a barrier.

 Katrina Smith has a story to share here. In 2015 the year I started my first year in community college, I went to DORS to help me apply for a job.  I sat through the whole orientation and filled out the paperwork. DORS told me they would call me back in two weeks. Fast forward, no call. Turns I had to call them and ask about the paperwork, We're backed up and someone will get back in touch with you. Basically, no one ever called me back. Once I got done with talking to the lady, she apologized for DORS behavior and told me the location has a bad wrap. 2.8 score. 

  2019 I got in contact with another lady who works for people with disabilities, and she shared with me that you have to call DORS every day until you get what you need. Like, What! Every day until I get what I need to help me be independent. To be honest with you, That is flipping backward.  In 2015 I was very upset at a system that was supposed to have my back and help to open doors to becoming independent, kept their doors closed. No help whatsoever.
  
 You see Katrina's story, this is definitely a huge red flag, a Rehabilitation Service should not have a patron waiting. Places do get back up and Living With Disabilities gets that. The workers at this place are not doing their job correctly. People who come seeking employment get treated like a game piece.

 How can Rehabilitation fix the crack in their system?

1. place yourself in the position of the person who requires your service. You have been in their shoes once before, be able to understand their situation.

2. Know what you are giving to the disabled community. For example, if you are here to help offer jobs for people with disabilities, what jobs are there that will help a person with a disability. 

3. Pay attention to the reviews given about your business, if your business getting bad reviews. There is an issue that needs to be fixed so you can do better.

4. Be responsive to your customer, return calls back in a mannerable fashion. 

Tips for people with disabilities:
  Katrina is huge on reading reviews on places, and she will take over from here.
 
 1. It only takes just one person to give a review, will the review you give become a good review, or will it be a bad review? Stay observant. 

2. Don't see a review, be wary, ask around. Not everyone will leave reviews. 

3. Don't count on the stars. Once again these are reviews without words, you need feedback on why are the stars given.

 These are the simple rules that are great to keep in mind. Now that you know, you will become better at finding the right Rehabilitation center that will help you with your needs. 

 
 https://anchor.fm/livingwithdisabilites/episodes/The-Cracks-in-the-Disability-Rehabilitation-Center-e1ck75d