WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.125 --> 00:00:03.990 (upbeat soothing music) 2 00:00:03.990 --> 00:00:06.150 Welcome to "Hadley Presents." 3 00:00:06.150 --> 00:00:10.500 I'm your host, Ricky Enger, inviting you to sit back, relax, 4 00:00:10.500 --> 00:00:13.320 and enjoy a conversation with the experts. 5 00:00:13.320 --> 00:00:16.710 In this episode, Chief Program Officer, Ed Haines, 6 00:00:16.710 --> 00:00:19.320 along with learning expert, Steve Kelley, 7 00:00:19.320 --> 00:00:21.690 join us to discuss keeping your job 8 00:00:21.690 --> 00:00:22.920 after vision loss. (music ending) 9 00:00:22.920 --> 00:00:24.690 Welcome to the show, both of you. 10 00:00:24.690 --> 00:00:26.580 Hey, Ricky. Thanks, Ricky. 11 00:00:26.580 --> 00:00:29.100 It is so great to have you both here. 12 00:00:29.100 --> 00:00:30.780 We're discussing a topic 13 00:00:30.780 --> 00:00:33.300 that I think is incredibly important. 14 00:00:33.300 --> 00:00:37.650 Really looking forward to just jumping right into things, 15 00:00:37.650 --> 00:00:41.220 listening to the history behind some of this, 16 00:00:41.220 --> 00:00:44.910 and just giving some tips and tricks for something 17 00:00:44.910 --> 00:00:49.050 that can initially feel really traumatic for people. 18 00:00:49.050 --> 00:00:51.930 And I think having that knowledge of 19 00:00:51.930 --> 00:00:53.580 what do you do next 20 00:00:53.580 --> 00:00:56.370 really can take away some of that fear. 21 00:00:56.370 --> 00:01:00.270 So before we get into the topic, 22 00:01:00.270 --> 00:01:03.150 I would like to give a chance for each 23 00:01:03.150 --> 00:01:04.890 of you to introduce yourselves. 24 00:01:04.890 --> 00:01:09.890 And I think since both of you have been on the show before, 25 00:01:09.930 --> 00:01:12.000 although you may be new to some people, 26 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:14.160 why don't we keep the introductions to 27 00:01:14.160 --> 00:01:18.570 just tell us a bit about how you are familiar 28 00:01:18.570 --> 00:01:22.020 with the process of what happens 29 00:01:22.020 --> 00:01:25.020 for maintaining employment after vision loss. 30 00:01:25.020 --> 00:01:26.280 So Ed, we'll start with you. 31 00:01:26.280 --> 00:01:28.380 You've been pretty instrumental 32 00:01:28.380 --> 00:01:31.380 in creating Hadley's new series 33 00:01:31.380 --> 00:01:33.570 on keeping your job after vision loss. 34 00:01:33.570 --> 00:01:37.680 So how did you become knowledgeable about this topic? 35 00:01:37.680 --> 00:01:38.550 Sure, Ricky, thanks 36 00:01:38.550 --> 00:01:40.560 and thanks for giving a plug for this new series. 37 00:01:40.560 --> 00:01:42.720 I'd love to talk about that a little bit too. 38 00:01:42.720 --> 00:01:44.280 I currently work for Hadley, 39 00:01:44.280 --> 00:01:45.210 but for many years, 40 00:01:45.210 --> 00:01:47.760 I was a vocational rehabilitation counselor 41 00:01:47.760 --> 00:01:51.570 for both the state of Indiana and the state of Michigan. 42 00:01:51.570 --> 00:01:54.570 And I was a voc rehab counselor for people 43 00:01:54.570 --> 00:01:56.700 with vision loss specifically. 44 00:01:56.700 --> 00:02:00.090 So I've spent a lot of years helping individuals 45 00:02:00.090 --> 00:02:02.910 with vision loss figure out their employment goals 46 00:02:02.910 --> 00:02:06.060 and figure out how they can achieve those goals. 47 00:02:06.060 --> 00:02:08.580 Excellent, and how about you, Steve? 48 00:02:08.580 --> 00:02:09.413 Thanks, Ricky. 49 00:02:09.413 --> 00:02:11.820 Yeah, I ended up getting a certification 50 00:02:11.820 --> 00:02:13.380 as a vision rehab therapist, 51 00:02:13.380 --> 00:02:16.680 and I've also got a certification for rehab counseling, 52 00:02:16.680 --> 00:02:19.140 although I didn't spend nearly as much time 53 00:02:19.140 --> 00:02:22.110 as Ed doing vocational rehab. 54 00:02:22.110 --> 00:02:25.440 I did an internship there and worked pretty closely 55 00:02:25.440 --> 00:02:27.960 with the vocational rehab counselors 56 00:02:27.960 --> 00:02:29.970 in the state that I live in. 57 00:02:29.970 --> 00:02:32.280 Fantastic, we have, 58 00:02:32.280 --> 00:02:35.520 as we alluded to a bit ago, 59 00:02:35.520 --> 00:02:39.390 we've just launched a series on the Hadley website 60 00:02:39.390 --> 00:02:43.110 that goes through this particular topic. 61 00:02:43.110 --> 00:02:46.590 So what kinds of things do you need to know 62 00:02:46.590 --> 00:02:49.440 as you are losing your vision 63 00:02:49.440 --> 00:02:53.550 and you want to continue to work? 64 00:02:53.550 --> 00:02:55.410 How does all that happen? 65 00:02:55.410 --> 00:02:58.440 Why do you think it's an important thing to have? 66 00:02:58.440 --> 00:03:01.050 Well, Hadley's all about helping adults 67 00:03:01.050 --> 00:03:03.210 discover new ways to do things that have 68 00:03:03.210 --> 00:03:05.040 been made difficult by vision loss. 69 00:03:05.040 --> 00:03:07.677 And one of those things is keeping your job, right? 70 00:03:07.677 --> 00:03:09.000 And for a lot of people, 71 00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:12.420 work is really, really important on so many levels, 72 00:03:12.420 --> 00:03:13.890 not just because of the income, 73 00:03:13.890 --> 00:03:17.430 but because it helps us be a contributing member of society. 74 00:03:17.430 --> 00:03:19.590 It gives meaning to our lives. 75 00:03:19.590 --> 00:03:21.480 It provides socialization. 76 00:03:21.480 --> 00:03:25.020 There's a million reasons why people wanna stay on the job. 77 00:03:25.020 --> 00:03:28.710 And when you receive a diagnosis of vision loss, 78 00:03:28.710 --> 00:03:31.620 a lot of folks just assume that their work life 79 00:03:31.620 --> 00:03:33.330 is going to be over at that point, 80 00:03:33.330 --> 00:03:34.830 and that is just not the case. 81 00:03:34.830 --> 00:03:37.740 So we've launched two workshops, 82 00:03:37.740 --> 00:03:39.930 one's called Staying on the Job, 83 00:03:39.930 --> 00:03:42.510 and the other one's called Talking With Your Employer, 84 00:03:42.510 --> 00:03:46.500 trying to give folks just some basic steps, basic things 85 00:03:46.500 --> 00:03:50.040 to think about before they take a drastic step 86 00:03:50.040 --> 00:03:51.840 of leaving their employment. 87 00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:52.983 So Steve, 88 00:03:54.283 --> 00:03:56.310 I guess you've experienced this 89 00:03:56.310 --> 00:03:58.170 from a couple of different perspectives. 90 00:03:58.170 --> 00:04:00.960 You have worked with people who 91 00:04:00.960 --> 00:04:04.387 are facing this predicament of, 92 00:04:04.387 --> 00:04:06.780 "Oh no, what do I do next? 93 00:04:06.780 --> 00:04:09.600 This is all pretty overwhelming and scary," 94 00:04:09.600 --> 00:04:12.870 and I think you've been that person before too. 95 00:04:12.870 --> 00:04:16.440 And one thing I always wonder about 96 00:04:16.440 --> 00:04:21.440 is how much awareness the average everyday person 97 00:04:22.200 --> 00:04:24.930 in the general public who has no experience 98 00:04:24.930 --> 00:04:26.370 with vision loss, 99 00:04:26.370 --> 00:04:31.050 are they even aware that people who have problems 100 00:04:31.050 --> 00:04:33.630 with their vision are in the workforce? 101 00:04:33.630 --> 00:04:34.590 Do we have a scale 102 00:04:34.590 --> 00:04:37.200 that's below zero here? (Steve and Ricky laughing) 103 00:04:37.200 --> 00:04:40.200 Because no, absolutely not. 104 00:04:40.200 --> 00:04:43.980 And we just have developed I think, 105 00:04:43.980 --> 00:04:47.820 these preconceived notions of what people 106 00:04:47.820 --> 00:04:52.140 with a vision loss or blindness can and can't do. 107 00:04:52.140 --> 00:04:54.660 And often there's no basis in reality, 108 00:04:54.660 --> 00:04:57.240 because I just don't think that we often 109 00:04:57.240 --> 00:05:01.500 have a whole lot of exposure to people in the workplace 110 00:05:01.500 --> 00:05:04.800 who are there using assistive technology 111 00:05:04.800 --> 00:05:07.200 and doing things in a different way. 112 00:05:07.200 --> 00:05:12.200 What happens is when you find yourself in that situation, 113 00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:14.520 you're going to those preconceived notions 114 00:05:14.520 --> 00:05:16.237 that you have and asking yourself, 115 00:05:16.237 --> 00:05:18.090 "Oh gosh, what can I do? 116 00:05:18.090 --> 00:05:19.830 What will I be able to do?" 117 00:05:19.830 --> 00:05:22.650 Because you really just have no clue. 118 00:05:22.650 --> 00:05:26.280 And not only that, you have people that show up 119 00:05:26.280 --> 00:05:31.280 after years of not knowing where to turn, 120 00:05:31.320 --> 00:05:35.490 because they didn't know how to find vocational rehab. 121 00:05:35.490 --> 00:05:37.440 That's an excellent point, 122 00:05:37.440 --> 00:05:41.130 and I think you really hit the nail on the head 123 00:05:41.130 --> 00:05:45.307 when you talk about that moment of, 124 00:05:45.307 --> 00:05:47.820 "What will I do, what can I do? 125 00:05:47.820 --> 00:05:50.130 I don't know anything about any of this. 126 00:05:50.130 --> 00:05:54.750 And what I do know is not always positive." 127 00:05:54.750 --> 00:05:59.190 So if somebody is just diagnosed, 128 00:05:59.190 --> 00:06:03.570 they're in that period of, "Whoa, what do I do?", 129 00:06:03.570 --> 00:06:06.300 what's the first thing that you would tell them 130 00:06:06.300 --> 00:06:10.350 about what to do regarding their job? 131 00:06:10.350 --> 00:06:12.060 Well, the first thing I tell them 132 00:06:12.060 --> 00:06:13.320 is what not to do, 133 00:06:13.320 --> 00:06:15.907 and if at all possible, I would say, 134 00:06:15.907 --> 00:06:18.360 "Don't quit your job right out of the gate. 135 00:06:18.360 --> 00:06:21.210 Take some time first before you make that decision." 136 00:06:21.210 --> 00:06:23.130 I mean, you may need the income, 137 00:06:23.130 --> 00:06:26.070 you may like your job for a number of other reasons. 138 00:06:26.070 --> 00:06:28.260 I've known so many folks who, 139 00:06:28.260 --> 00:06:31.050 when they receive a diagnosis of vision loss, 140 00:06:31.050 --> 00:06:32.670 everything's so overwhelming. 141 00:06:32.670 --> 00:06:34.620 They're wondering about transportation, 142 00:06:34.620 --> 00:06:35.970 they're wondering about home, 143 00:06:35.970 --> 00:06:37.860 they're wondering about their family. 144 00:06:37.860 --> 00:06:41.100 It may be difficult to do things at home as well 145 00:06:41.100 --> 00:06:42.360 as in the work environment. 146 00:06:42.360 --> 00:06:46.290 And so it seems like just the logical thing to do 147 00:06:46.290 --> 00:06:48.750 is just get rid of one of those variables 148 00:06:48.750 --> 00:06:51.450 and say, "Okay, I'm gonna quit work if possible." 149 00:06:51.450 --> 00:06:53.730 We've just launched these workshops not that long ago, 150 00:06:53.730 --> 00:06:55.860 and we already, I saw a comment the other day 151 00:06:55.860 --> 00:06:58.597 from an individual who took the workshop and said, 152 00:06:58.597 --> 00:07:00.840 "Boy, if I had taken this before, 153 00:07:00.840 --> 00:07:02.460 I wouldn't have quit my job. 154 00:07:02.460 --> 00:07:03.570 I wish I hadn't." 155 00:07:03.570 --> 00:07:07.890 It's much easier to stay on a job that you already do 156 00:07:07.890 --> 00:07:09.450 than to get a brand new job. 157 00:07:09.450 --> 00:07:11.190 And that's true for anyone, 158 00:07:11.190 --> 00:07:12.720 whether you have vision loss or not. 159 00:07:12.720 --> 00:07:14.850 So that's the first step. 160 00:07:14.850 --> 00:07:16.710 Don't quit right out of the gate. 161 00:07:16.710 --> 00:07:18.510 Look at your options first. 162 00:07:18.510 --> 00:07:20.790 Yeah, I think that that's so true, Ed, 163 00:07:20.790 --> 00:07:23.490 and I go back to what I was saying before 164 00:07:23.490 --> 00:07:26.970 is that oftentimes we simply don't know how 165 00:07:26.970 --> 00:07:29.820 that job might be done with less vision, 166 00:07:29.820 --> 00:07:33.720 because we haven't seen anybody do it. 167 00:07:33.720 --> 00:07:37.020 We are unfamiliar with any of the technology usually, 168 00:07:37.020 --> 00:07:40.320 and we're not getting a whole lot of help from the doctors, 169 00:07:40.320 --> 00:07:42.930 which isn't to say that the doctors aren't helpful. 170 00:07:42.930 --> 00:07:44.647 You get escorted out of the office, 171 00:07:44.647 --> 00:07:46.710 "Well, there's nothing more that we can do." 172 00:07:46.710 --> 00:07:49.170 And that just means medically. 173 00:07:49.170 --> 00:07:51.720 You end up in this situation where you're just 174 00:07:51.720 --> 00:07:54.780 wandering around in this no man's land wondering 175 00:07:54.780 --> 00:07:55.980 what the heck you're gonna do. 176 00:07:55.980 --> 00:07:57.630 And Ed, you're so right. 177 00:07:57.630 --> 00:07:59.580 I mean, there are just so many options. 178 00:08:00.570 --> 00:08:01.920 There are accommodations 179 00:08:01.920 --> 00:08:04.470 and there is technology that can be applied 180 00:08:04.470 --> 00:08:06.600 to almost any job. 181 00:08:06.600 --> 00:08:08.310 Keeping that job, it's so much easier 182 00:08:08.310 --> 00:08:11.820 to keep the job than to try to find a new job. 183 00:08:11.820 --> 00:08:15.540 Particularly when you've got that new diagnosis 184 00:08:15.540 --> 00:08:17.760 or you're just learning some new skills 185 00:08:17.760 --> 00:08:18.960 with that vision impairment, 186 00:08:18.960 --> 00:08:20.790 I think finding that new job 187 00:08:20.790 --> 00:08:23.910 is then 10 times more difficult sometimes. 188 00:08:23.910 --> 00:08:25.890 So then who helps with that? 189 00:08:25.890 --> 00:08:27.547 If you're looking around and saying, 190 00:08:27.547 --> 00:08:29.610 "Well, I don't know what to do. 191 00:08:29.610 --> 00:08:32.400 Surely there are professionals then 192 00:08:32.400 --> 00:08:34.320 who can give me some advice." 193 00:08:34.320 --> 00:08:37.350 Who does that and how do people find them? 194 00:08:37.350 --> 00:08:39.000 The good news, Ricky, is that yes, 195 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:42.150 there are professionals that can guide you on this journey 196 00:08:42.150 --> 00:08:43.080 and help you out. 197 00:08:43.080 --> 00:08:46.260 And there is a specific program that's paid 198 00:08:46.260 --> 00:08:49.230 for by the federal government that's a consequence 199 00:08:49.230 --> 00:08:51.180 of an act of legislation, 200 00:08:51.180 --> 00:08:53.670 and that's called vocational rehabilitation. 201 00:08:53.670 --> 00:08:57.810 Every state has a vocational rehabilitation program, 202 00:08:57.810 --> 00:09:01.140 and it is specifically designed to help individuals 203 00:09:01.140 --> 00:09:04.770 with disabilities stay on the job or become employed. 204 00:09:04.770 --> 00:09:08.130 So that is the place you need to make a beeline for, 205 00:09:08.130 --> 00:09:12.360 because once you establish an open case and a relationship 206 00:09:12.360 --> 00:09:16.080 with a state vocational rehabilitation counselor, 207 00:09:16.080 --> 00:09:20.220 they can help then line you up with the other professionals 208 00:09:20.220 --> 00:09:22.770 that are out there that can address different aspects 209 00:09:22.770 --> 00:09:25.020 of your job and how to keep it. 210 00:09:25.020 --> 00:09:27.300 Some of those professionals might be an orientation 211 00:09:27.300 --> 00:09:30.210 and mobility specialist who can help you learn 212 00:09:30.210 --> 00:09:32.550 to get around your work environment safely, 213 00:09:32.550 --> 00:09:34.590 an adaptive technology specialist 214 00:09:34.590 --> 00:09:37.140 who's gonna help the technology at your work site 215 00:09:37.140 --> 00:09:39.180 and make sure it's accessible to you, 216 00:09:39.180 --> 00:09:41.220 and a number of other individuals. 217 00:09:41.220 --> 00:09:42.900 So there's a lot of folks out there to help, 218 00:09:42.900 --> 00:09:44.910 but you have to go seek out that help. 219 00:09:44.910 --> 00:09:48.330 And the place to start is vocational rehabilitation. 220 00:09:48.330 --> 00:09:50.640 There's no cost for that either. 221 00:09:50.640 --> 00:09:52.500 And I think that that's one of the things 222 00:09:52.500 --> 00:09:54.660 that also is often misunderstood 223 00:09:54.660 --> 00:09:56.460 when a person's on the fence like this, 224 00:09:56.460 --> 00:09:59.610 they're worried about what are these things going to cost? 225 00:09:59.610 --> 00:10:02.850 And a lot of those professionals are paid for 226 00:10:02.850 --> 00:10:04.560 through state and federal funding. 227 00:10:04.560 --> 00:10:06.720 That's gotta be such a relief to people, 228 00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:09.600 because if you're already worried about your income 229 00:10:09.600 --> 00:10:11.550 and how am I gonna keep this going 230 00:10:11.550 --> 00:10:13.410 and keep my family fed, 231 00:10:13.410 --> 00:10:17.100 the last thing I wanna think about is spending more money 232 00:10:17.100 --> 00:10:20.010 that I may not have to address this issue. 233 00:10:20.010 --> 00:10:23.760 So when people start to think about 234 00:10:23.760 --> 00:10:27.000 what they might do to 235 00:10:27.000 --> 00:10:29.610 stay on the job, 236 00:10:29.610 --> 00:10:33.777 vision loss can impact a number of different things. 237 00:10:33.777 --> 00:10:38.190 And some of it may be you need to learn some technology, 238 00:10:38.190 --> 00:10:41.760 and some of it may just be, "I need better lighting," 239 00:10:41.760 --> 00:10:43.020 or what have you, 240 00:10:43.020 --> 00:10:44.760 and I just learned this recently 241 00:10:44.760 --> 00:10:49.410 that there are three general types of changes 242 00:10:49.410 --> 00:10:54.150 that you could make to your job in order to keep it. 243 00:10:54.150 --> 00:10:56.220 Ed, can you expand on that a bit? 244 00:10:56.220 --> 00:10:57.960 There are sort of three general types 245 00:10:57.960 --> 00:10:59.340 of changes and they overlap, 246 00:10:59.340 --> 00:11:02.040 but the first would be is that you may need 247 00:11:02.040 --> 00:11:04.650 to just adapt your work environment 248 00:11:04.650 --> 00:11:05.940 to fit your level of vision. 249 00:11:05.940 --> 00:11:09.510 And that could be something as simple as moving your desk 250 00:11:09.510 --> 00:11:12.000 or your workstation away from a big window 251 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:13.560 that causes glare. 252 00:11:13.560 --> 00:11:16.260 That could mean having your coworkers make sure 253 00:11:16.260 --> 00:11:18.750 that aisles are kept free of debris 254 00:11:18.750 --> 00:11:21.690 to make sure that you can navigate safely down the aisle. 255 00:11:21.690 --> 00:11:24.450 Most ways of altering your work environment 256 00:11:24.450 --> 00:11:26.190 are fairly simple. 257 00:11:26.190 --> 00:11:27.450 The great thing is you don't have 258 00:11:27.450 --> 00:11:28.770 to figure that out on your own. 259 00:11:28.770 --> 00:11:31.740 You can have a workplace accommodation assessment made, 260 00:11:31.740 --> 00:11:33.990 your voc rehab counselor can set that up, 261 00:11:33.990 --> 00:11:36.360 and you'll be surprised how many small changes 262 00:11:36.360 --> 00:11:38.760 can be made that that will make 263 00:11:38.760 --> 00:11:41.250 just your environment more accessible to you. 264 00:11:41.250 --> 00:11:44.430 Then another type of change is learning new skills 265 00:11:44.430 --> 00:11:46.440 that will be used in your current job. 266 00:11:46.440 --> 00:11:49.590 So for instance, if you use a computer now, 267 00:11:49.590 --> 00:11:52.410 you may have to learn how to use a computer 268 00:11:52.410 --> 00:11:54.000 with speech access for instance, 269 00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:56.310 rather than primarily visually. 270 00:11:56.310 --> 00:11:57.780 You may want to learn braille, 271 00:11:57.780 --> 00:11:59.940 so you can access print in a different way. 272 00:11:59.940 --> 00:12:02.340 There's a lot of new skills you can acquire 273 00:12:02.340 --> 00:12:05.550 that can help keep you doing what it is you want to do. 274 00:12:05.550 --> 00:12:08.010 And then finally, there are just a plethora 275 00:12:08.010 --> 00:12:12.240 of adaptive devices that will help you use tools, 276 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:13.680 whatever work tools they are 277 00:12:13.680 --> 00:12:15.570 to make sure you can still use them 278 00:12:15.570 --> 00:12:17.730 and use them with your current level of vision. 279 00:12:17.730 --> 00:12:19.980 So that's basically the three areas. 280 00:12:19.980 --> 00:12:22.650 Change your work environment, acquire new skills, 281 00:12:22.650 --> 00:12:24.810 and employ adaptive devices. 282 00:12:24.810 --> 00:12:27.480 Do either of you have a story 283 00:12:27.480 --> 00:12:31.830 about an accommodation that you had never thought of 284 00:12:31.830 --> 00:12:36.240 or maybe assisting someone in maintaining their employment 285 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:39.240 and you had to look for something 286 00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:41.910 that was just stood out in some way 287 00:12:41.910 --> 00:12:45.180 as far as an accommodation that actually worked 288 00:12:45.180 --> 00:12:48.300 to help somebody maintain their employment? 289 00:12:48.300 --> 00:12:49.680 Yeah, I can give a great example. 290 00:12:49.680 --> 00:12:50.820 It's a wonderful example. 291 00:12:50.820 --> 00:12:55.820 I worked with a Catholic priest who was unable to drive. 292 00:12:56.130 --> 00:12:58.650 Priests do have to drive, especially in rural areas, 293 00:12:58.650 --> 00:13:00.420 they have to drive from church to church, 294 00:13:00.420 --> 00:13:03.570 and it's a prerequisite of the job. 295 00:13:03.570 --> 00:13:04.403 I talked to him, 296 00:13:04.403 --> 00:13:08.040 and then he and I talked to his bishop, 297 00:13:08.040 --> 00:13:10.050 and the bishop ended up assigning him 298 00:13:10.050 --> 00:13:12.570 to a place called Mackinac Island 299 00:13:12.570 --> 00:13:14.250 where cars are not allowed. 300 00:13:14.250 --> 00:13:16.020 We just took driving outta the equation. 301 00:13:16.020 --> 00:13:18.600 He was able to minister to a new parish 302 00:13:18.600 --> 00:13:20.520 and keep working and doing what he wanted to do. 303 00:13:20.520 --> 00:13:23.100 So that was a really fun accommodation. 304 00:13:23.100 --> 00:13:24.030 Wow, I love it. 305 00:13:24.030 --> 00:13:26.490 And it just goes to show that no matter 306 00:13:26.490 --> 00:13:29.940 what it is that you were doing, 307 00:13:29.940 --> 00:13:32.080 and you have this 308 00:13:33.180 --> 00:13:35.850 seemingly insurmountable obstacle, 309 00:13:35.850 --> 00:13:37.260 there are ways around that, 310 00:13:37.260 --> 00:13:39.930 and I think that's probably going to be relieving 311 00:13:39.930 --> 00:13:41.820 for a lot of people. 312 00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:46.820 I would imagine that one of the most nerve wracking things 313 00:13:47.100 --> 00:13:50.280 that you have to do in a situation like this 314 00:13:50.280 --> 00:13:53.880 is telling your boss what's going on, 315 00:13:53.880 --> 00:13:56.220 figuring out just the right way 316 00:13:56.220 --> 00:13:59.550 to talk about what's happening, 317 00:13:59.550 --> 00:14:03.330 so that you can get the accommodations that you need. 318 00:14:03.330 --> 00:14:07.020 And so that fear of actually losing the job 319 00:14:07.020 --> 00:14:09.750 because of something beyond your control 320 00:14:09.750 --> 00:14:11.160 can be negated a little bit. 321 00:14:11.160 --> 00:14:14.970 So are there things that you should know 322 00:14:14.970 --> 00:14:17.730 before you ever even open that topic 323 00:14:17.730 --> 00:14:20.220 of conversation with your boss? 324 00:14:20.220 --> 00:14:23.160 I just did a review not too long ago 325 00:14:23.160 --> 00:14:25.710 of the Talking with your Employer workshop. 326 00:14:25.710 --> 00:14:28.200 One of the great recommendations, 327 00:14:28.200 --> 00:14:29.580 and there were several, 328 00:14:29.580 --> 00:14:31.290 just to try to familiar yourself. 329 00:14:31.290 --> 00:14:34.140 You're not gonna become a lawyer or anything like that, 330 00:14:34.140 --> 00:14:37.020 but become familiar with some of the terminology 331 00:14:37.020 --> 00:14:37.853 that is used, 332 00:14:37.853 --> 00:14:41.940 like the word accommodations, for example. 333 00:14:41.940 --> 00:14:44.310 Just use the same language 334 00:14:44.310 --> 00:14:47.130 that's used in the legislation or the ADA 335 00:14:47.130 --> 00:14:49.980 and having a really good understanding 336 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:53.040 or as good an understanding as you can have 337 00:14:53.040 --> 00:14:56.310 of what's going on with your vision at the moment 338 00:14:56.310 --> 00:14:58.320 and what it is that you need. 339 00:14:58.320 --> 00:15:01.740 And if you can be specific about your needs, 340 00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:04.740 that's so helpful because just like you, 341 00:15:04.740 --> 00:15:07.200 very few people around you are really going 342 00:15:07.200 --> 00:15:08.550 to know much about this. 343 00:15:08.550 --> 00:15:12.390 So you need to become the expert as much as you can 344 00:15:12.390 --> 00:15:16.350 and really be an advocate about those specific things. 345 00:15:16.350 --> 00:15:20.010 And I think that that is helpful moving forward 346 00:15:20.010 --> 00:15:22.170 and just relax, (laughing softly) 347 00:15:22.170 --> 00:15:26.370 and realize that there is a way forward 348 00:15:26.370 --> 00:15:29.220 and a lot of times people are very willing to help. 349 00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:31.320 One of the things that has always struck me 350 00:15:31.320 --> 00:15:34.710 is if you're a loyal employee, 351 00:15:34.710 --> 00:15:39.710 your employer wants to keep you right there on the job. 352 00:15:39.960 --> 00:15:41.520 They don't want you to go any place. 353 00:15:41.520 --> 00:15:44.790 So recognize that as a loyal employee, 354 00:15:44.790 --> 00:15:46.050 people want you to stay 355 00:15:46.050 --> 00:15:48.240 and your employer wants to work with you. 356 00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:49.800 That's a fantastic point, 357 00:15:49.800 --> 00:15:52.200 because you may be feeling 358 00:15:52.200 --> 00:15:54.210 at a pretty low point yourself 359 00:15:54.210 --> 00:15:57.900 and thinking you're questioning so many things, 360 00:15:57.900 --> 00:16:02.640 one of which might be, "Am I really that valuable? 361 00:16:02.640 --> 00:16:04.710 Am I easily replaceable?" 362 00:16:04.710 --> 00:16:05.850 or whatever. 363 00:16:05.850 --> 00:16:09.930 And someone who has worked hard as a loyal employee 364 00:16:09.930 --> 00:16:13.710 has made a name for themselves in one way or another 365 00:16:13.710 --> 00:16:14.880 in the organization. 366 00:16:14.880 --> 00:16:16.830 They don't want you to go anywhere. 367 00:16:16.830 --> 00:16:20.580 Is there one approach that works better 368 00:16:20.580 --> 00:16:22.680 than any other for talking to your boss? 369 00:16:22.680 --> 00:16:27.420 Or can you talk based on whatever your relationship 370 00:16:27.420 --> 00:16:30.510 is with your boss and knowing what that's like? 371 00:16:30.510 --> 00:16:32.610 Are there some do's and don'ts there? 372 00:16:32.610 --> 00:16:34.470 Or is it pretty much, 373 00:16:34.470 --> 00:16:38.160 as long as you're familiar with what it is you need, 374 00:16:38.160 --> 00:16:41.850 keep that in mind and any approach you take is gonna work? 375 00:16:41.850 --> 00:16:43.980 It depends on everyone's unique situation. 376 00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:46.650 There's no right time to talk to your employer 377 00:16:46.650 --> 00:16:48.360 and there's no right way. 378 00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:50.010 But there are some don'ts. 379 00:16:50.010 --> 00:16:51.180 It's mainly one don't, 380 00:16:51.180 --> 00:16:52.710 don't come in unprepared. 381 00:16:52.710 --> 00:16:56.580 You need to come to that conversation with preparation, 382 00:16:56.580 --> 00:16:57.570 with practice, 383 00:16:57.570 --> 00:17:01.980 and be able to provide positive solutions. 384 00:17:01.980 --> 00:17:03.720 You're an asset to that employer. 385 00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:06.960 Your job is to let them know you're going to continue 386 00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:08.490 to be an asset to them, 387 00:17:08.490 --> 00:17:10.530 and here's how you're going to do it. 388 00:17:10.530 --> 00:17:12.630 It doesn't hurt to do a whole lot of homework. 389 00:17:12.630 --> 00:17:14.580 And again, employ those professionals 390 00:17:14.580 --> 00:17:17.010 that are there in the background to help you do it. 391 00:17:17.010 --> 00:17:18.840 And I always recommend to people, 392 00:17:18.840 --> 00:17:21.000 don't go into that conversation 393 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:23.610 unless you've practiced it a whole bunch. 394 00:17:23.610 --> 00:17:27.540 Practice with friends, relations, anybody you can find, 395 00:17:27.540 --> 00:17:31.020 and make sure you have your spiel down. 396 00:17:31.020 --> 00:17:33.390 You'll be ready for questions that may come up. 397 00:17:33.390 --> 00:17:36.810 And again, your voc rehab counselor can help with that. 398 00:17:36.810 --> 00:17:38.340 It's so contrary, I think, 399 00:17:38.340 --> 00:17:41.400 to the way you might be feeling at the time, 400 00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:44.160 because something like this can really 401 00:17:44.160 --> 00:17:47.310 impact your self-esteem in a negative way, right? 402 00:17:47.310 --> 00:17:49.500 So I think it's so important as Ed said 403 00:17:49.500 --> 00:17:52.710 to actually sit down and start talking about it, 404 00:17:52.710 --> 00:17:55.080 explore it with your family and friends 405 00:17:55.080 --> 00:17:56.220 and people that you trust 406 00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:58.320 and talk about it a little bit more, 407 00:17:58.320 --> 00:18:02.550 so that you become more comfortable talking about it 408 00:18:02.550 --> 00:18:05.460 and you'll also become more curious about it 409 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:07.560 and find out more information 410 00:18:07.560 --> 00:18:09.570 and become a much better advocate. 411 00:18:09.570 --> 00:18:12.390 And really that's what your employer wants to hear. 412 00:18:12.390 --> 00:18:15.270 Your employer wants to hear you solving 413 00:18:15.270 --> 00:18:17.160 whatever the problem happens to be, 414 00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:19.740 and coming up with positive solutions. 415 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:22.170 Fantastic points, both of you. 416 00:18:22.170 --> 00:18:24.570 But what if after all that, 417 00:18:24.570 --> 00:18:26.850 you've done some soul searching, 418 00:18:26.850 --> 00:18:28.590 and for whatever reason, 419 00:18:28.590 --> 00:18:31.470 you decide that your current job 420 00:18:31.470 --> 00:18:34.620 is just not going to work anymore, 421 00:18:34.620 --> 00:18:38.580 whether it's because of changes that have happened 422 00:18:38.580 --> 00:18:39.840 because of your vision loss, 423 00:18:39.840 --> 00:18:43.320 or maybe you're just ready to make a change. 424 00:18:43.320 --> 00:18:45.300 So many other things are happening in your life 425 00:18:45.300 --> 00:18:47.617 and now you're ready to, 426 00:18:47.617 --> 00:18:50.700 "I always wondered what it would be like to do this job, 427 00:18:50.700 --> 00:18:52.200 and I'm ready to try that now." 428 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:57.200 What can you do to get new job skills, 429 00:18:57.990 --> 00:19:00.750 to find new ways to do things, 430 00:19:00.750 --> 00:19:03.210 and to seek out that new career? 431 00:19:03.210 --> 00:19:04.080 Well, the good news is 432 00:19:04.080 --> 00:19:06.510 that the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, 433 00:19:06.510 --> 00:19:07.680 one of the things they do is 434 00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:09.900 to help people become retrained. 435 00:19:09.900 --> 00:19:12.630 And that can be anything from a vocational program to, 436 00:19:12.630 --> 00:19:13.530 even to college. 437 00:19:13.530 --> 00:19:17.250 So each state has their own rules and regulations 438 00:19:17.250 --> 00:19:19.320 as to how and when they do that, 439 00:19:19.320 --> 00:19:21.210 but those services are available. 440 00:19:21.210 --> 00:19:23.580 So you would start by just 441 00:19:23.580 --> 00:19:26.460 having your vocational rehabilitation counselor 442 00:19:26.460 --> 00:19:28.410 help you with an interest inventory test. 443 00:19:28.410 --> 00:19:30.030 If you just don't have any idea at all 444 00:19:30.030 --> 00:19:31.290 what you'd like to do, 445 00:19:31.290 --> 00:19:32.610 they'll help you figure that out, 446 00:19:32.610 --> 00:19:34.410 and then they'll help you figure out how 447 00:19:34.410 --> 00:19:36.420 to get the training you need to get there. 448 00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:38.430 That was one of the really cool things 449 00:19:38.430 --> 00:19:42.300 that I found both personally as a client 450 00:19:42.300 --> 00:19:45.660 and then also later working with folks, 451 00:19:45.660 --> 00:19:50.490 is that you are in a position as a VR counselor 452 00:19:50.490 --> 00:19:55.083 to listen to people and reflect some of what's going on. 453 00:19:55.929 --> 00:19:56.880 And there's a little bit of counseling 454 00:19:56.880 --> 00:19:57.900 that actually goes on, 455 00:19:57.900 --> 00:20:00.510 but I think that that's one of the most valuable things 456 00:20:00.510 --> 00:20:04.050 that the vocational rehab counselor does for somebody, 457 00:20:04.050 --> 00:20:07.560 is actually help during that exploration process. 458 00:20:07.560 --> 00:20:08.550 Because you're right, 459 00:20:08.550 --> 00:20:10.680 not everything is necessarily going 460 00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:12.810 to fit after a vision loss. 461 00:20:12.810 --> 00:20:16.440 And sometimes it's a great opportunity for some fine tuning. 462 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:18.480 Sometimes it may not have been a good job 463 00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:20.460 or a good fit before that 464 00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:24.810 and now is a great opportunity to explore something else. 465 00:20:24.810 --> 00:20:25.767 Yeah, that's right. 466 00:20:25.767 --> 00:20:27.810 And I will say one thing. 467 00:20:27.810 --> 00:20:29.910 I had so many people come into my office 468 00:20:29.910 --> 00:20:30.960 over the years. 469 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:32.377 They're out of work and they'll say, 470 00:20:32.377 --> 00:20:35.220 "Okay, what do people with vision impairments do?" 471 00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:37.057 Well, my response is always the same, 472 00:20:37.057 --> 00:20:38.520 "What do you wanna do? 473 00:20:38.520 --> 00:20:40.350 And then we'll figure out how to make it work 474 00:20:40.350 --> 00:20:41.400 with your vision impairment." 475 00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:43.530 So don't limit yourself. 476 00:20:43.530 --> 00:20:45.210 People with vision impairments are 477 00:20:45.210 --> 00:20:47.220 in all sorts of occupations. 478 00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:49.470 The days are over when people with vision impairments 479 00:20:49.470 --> 00:20:51.600 were slotted into very specific areas. 480 00:20:51.600 --> 00:20:53.670 So what is it you want to do? 481 00:20:53.670 --> 00:20:54.810 We'll help you figure that out, 482 00:20:54.810 --> 00:20:57.270 then we'll help you figure out how to get there. 483 00:20:57.270 --> 00:20:59.190 I think it's worth mentioning also 484 00:20:59.190 --> 00:21:01.717 that if you're still wondering, 485 00:21:01.717 --> 00:21:06.027 "I gotta find a voc rehab person, whatever that is, 486 00:21:06.027 --> 00:21:08.820 and then get started on this journey," 487 00:21:08.820 --> 00:21:11.730 it's worth mentioning that at Hadley, 488 00:21:11.730 --> 00:21:16.410 we're here to point you to those resources 489 00:21:16.410 --> 00:21:18.180 in your particular area, 490 00:21:18.180 --> 00:21:21.720 because sometimes that too can be a real challenge 491 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:24.420 is where am I even supposed to look 492 00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:26.400 to find these professionals? 493 00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:30.270 So at Hadley we can help with that. 494 00:21:30.270 --> 00:21:34.350 We have talked a bit about the new series, 495 00:21:34.350 --> 00:21:35.970 which was the reason we decided 496 00:21:35.970 --> 00:21:37.860 to come together and record the podcast. 497 00:21:37.860 --> 00:21:39.427 And perhaps you're wondering, 498 00:21:39.427 --> 00:21:42.810 "Well, how do I even find that series?" 499 00:21:42.810 --> 00:21:47.190 If you are not signed up on the Hadley website, 500 00:21:47.190 --> 00:21:49.620 that is certainly the first step, 501 00:21:49.620 --> 00:21:52.830 and it's a pretty quick and easy process. 502 00:21:52.830 --> 00:21:55.410 We can also help you through that 503 00:21:55.410 --> 00:21:57.030 over the phone if you want, 504 00:21:57.030 --> 00:22:01.260 800-323-4238 505 00:22:01.260 --> 00:22:03.810 is a great number to keep handy, 506 00:22:03.810 --> 00:22:07.980 so that you can call us for any help that you need, 507 00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:11.250 up to and including getting signed up on the website 508 00:22:11.250 --> 00:22:14.730 and finding this series that we've talked about a bit 509 00:22:14.730 --> 00:22:17.790 and experiencing that for yourself. 510 00:22:17.790 --> 00:22:19.680 Thank you both so much for being here. 511 00:22:19.680 --> 00:22:20.670 Before we wrap up, 512 00:22:20.670 --> 00:22:22.320 I just wanna ask each of you 513 00:22:22.320 --> 00:22:25.410 if there's anything you would say 514 00:22:25.410 --> 00:22:30.397 to that person who is on the cusp of saying, 515 00:22:30.397 --> 00:22:32.520 "I just don't know if I can handle this. 516 00:22:32.520 --> 00:22:34.110 I'm gonna go ahead and quit my job, 517 00:22:34.110 --> 00:22:36.630 and I'll figure out the rest later." 518 00:22:36.630 --> 00:22:39.090 Or perhaps they're in the midst 519 00:22:39.090 --> 00:22:41.340 of trying to figure out these accommodations 520 00:22:41.340 --> 00:22:43.290 and things are still a little bit difficult. 521 00:22:43.290 --> 00:22:44.730 What would you say to people? 522 00:22:44.730 --> 00:22:46.297 I think the first thing I would do is say, 523 00:22:46.297 --> 00:22:47.550 "Take a breath, 524 00:22:47.550 --> 00:22:48.630 step back a little bit," 525 00:22:48.630 --> 00:22:51.450 because number one, Ed is right. 526 00:22:51.450 --> 00:22:54.270 Your initial instinct may be to bail on the job, 527 00:22:54.270 --> 00:22:56.640 because you're having difficulty doing it. 528 00:22:56.640 --> 00:22:59.010 You don't have the skills just yet. 529 00:22:59.010 --> 00:22:59.970 Hold off. 530 00:22:59.970 --> 00:23:01.260 Take a step back. 531 00:23:01.260 --> 00:23:03.810 Check in with that vocational rehab counselor, 532 00:23:03.810 --> 00:23:04.740 and who knows? 533 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:07.440 Maybe ultimately you will leave the job, 534 00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:08.460 and that's okay, 535 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:10.560 but do it on your own terms. 536 00:23:10.560 --> 00:23:15.240 And the other thing is be open to recognize 537 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:18.540 that some of your preconceived notions about what 538 00:23:18.540 --> 00:23:20.370 is going to happen with a vision loss 539 00:23:20.370 --> 00:23:22.290 and your ability to do your job 540 00:23:22.290 --> 00:23:25.020 or other jobs may not be accurate. 541 00:23:25.020 --> 00:23:27.810 In fact, I can almost guarantee it's not accurate. 542 00:23:27.810 --> 00:23:30.900 So just be open to what might come your way. 543 00:23:30.900 --> 00:23:32.460 And I know it sounds odd, 544 00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:34.860 but the opportunities that are going 545 00:23:34.860 --> 00:23:37.890 to present themselves in the future for you. 546 00:23:37.890 --> 00:23:40.260 Well, I couldn't improve on anything Steve said. 547 00:23:40.260 --> 00:23:42.150 It's just the absolutely perfect response. 548 00:23:42.150 --> 00:23:43.350 I'll just add one other thing 549 00:23:43.350 --> 00:23:47.490 is that also be open doing things in a different way. 550 00:23:47.490 --> 00:23:50.700 You'll find how liberating that is once you take that jump. 551 00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:52.320 And that can apply not just to work, 552 00:23:52.320 --> 00:23:54.690 but also things you do around the house. 553 00:23:54.690 --> 00:23:57.690 But if you're open to doing things differently, 554 00:23:57.690 --> 00:23:59.040 you'll find that you'll still be able 555 00:23:59.040 --> 00:24:00.510 to do what you wanna do. 556 00:24:00.510 --> 00:24:02.100 Fantastic, thank you both 557 00:24:02.100 --> 00:24:05.010 for sharing your time and your expertise. 558 00:24:05.010 --> 00:24:07.020 I know it's going to be useful 559 00:24:07.020 --> 00:24:09.360 and impactful for so many people. 560 00:24:09.360 --> 00:24:10.320 Well, thanks, Ricky. 561 00:24:10.320 --> 00:24:11.490 It's a great topic. 562 00:24:11.490 --> 00:24:13.260 Yeah, it's been a pleasure chatting 563 00:24:13.260 --> 00:24:14.790 with you both. (soft uplifting music) 564 00:24:14.790 --> 00:24:16.320 Got something to say? 565 00:24:16.320 --> 00:24:19.380 Share your thoughts about this episode of "Hadley Presents," 566 00:24:19.380 --> 00:24:21.960 or make suggestions for future episodes. 567 00:24:21.960 --> 00:24:23.580 We'd love to hear from you. 568 00:24:23.580 --> 00:24:27.900 Send us an email at podcast@hadley.edu. 569 00:24:27.900 --> 00:24:32.900 That's P-O-D-C-A-S-T @hadley.edu. 570 00:24:33.120 --> 00:24:37.710 Or leave us a message at 847-784-2870. 571 00:24:39.540 --> 00:24:40.683 Thanks for listening. 572 00:24:42.294 --> 00:24:44.877 (music ending)