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#CSUN14 Audio: Chat Online with the Job Accommodation Network


The Job Accomodation Network has served as a resource for employers and jobseekers alike since the 1980's, and now they've expanded their offerings with a live online chat service for gaining necessary job information. In this podcast, Chancey Fleet speaks with JAN Co-Director Louis Orslene and Employment services specialist Jason Olen to learn about the details for the chat system and how JAN may be of benefit to someone seeking accomodations for their career. Blind Bargains audio coverage of CSUN 2014 is generously sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind.

Transcript

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Direct from San Diego, it’s BlindBargains.com coverage of CSUN 2014. The biggest names, provocative interviews, and wall-to-wall exhibit hall coverage, brought to you by the American Foundation for the Blind.

For the latest technology news and accessibility information on cell phones, mainstream and access technology, personal medical devices, office equipment, digital audio players, and web-based and app technologies, log onto AccessWorld, the American Foundation for the Blind’s monthly technology magazine, www.afb.org/aw.

Now, here’s Chancey Fleet.

CF: Hi, I’m here with Lou and Jason at the Job Accommodation Network at West Virginia University. Would you like to introduce what your service does?

S1: Sure. The Job Accommodation Network is a free confidential consulting service, so we provide guidance and coaching on worksite accommodations and assistive technology, Title 1 of the ABA, which is the appointment title, as well as we talk to people about self-employment options for people with disabilities.

CF: And I understand that this year, you have a new web chat option.

S2: Yeah, you can pull up our website; it’s www.askjan.org.

CF: So that’s a-s-k and then J-A-N, standing for Job Accommodation Network.

S2: And the link to that web chat is right on our home page. You can click on it and have a fully accessible chat with one of our consultants. Maybe for an uncomfortable calling, you can just use that chat feature and get to one of our consultants and be able to discuss your situation right there with one of them.

CF: What hours can they find you on live chat?

S2: Between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

CF: Okay, wonderful. Now, if somebody did wish to call and speak to someone, what would be the way to do that?

S1: What they do is they call (800) 526-7234 or TTY (877) 781-9403, and you get a program assistant, and the program assistant will ask you what kind of disability or chronic health condition you’re dealing with. Then you’ll go to one of our teams. We have a Sensory Team, we have a Cognitive Team, a Psychiatric Team, and a Motor Team. You’ll be directed to one of those professionals. All the counselors, all the consultants are Master’s level or Ph.D. level, and they’ll just talk to you about what situation you’re in and what you need to do in order to move forward with employment.

Say for instance, often people will call about disclosure, and they’ll do an interview over the phone with an employer, and then they realize that the employer is going to move them to the next step, so they need an accommodation. They’re not sure how to ask for that accommodation or how to negotiate the accommodation. Oftentimes, that’s what we’ll do. We’ll talk to people about disclosure, talk to them about submitting a request for an accommodation, and talk to them about what kind of accommodations they think will work for them and for that interview.

CF: I’m wondering, you’re at West Virginia State University, correct?

S1: West Virginia University, yeah.

CF: Where does the Job Accommodation Network sponsorship come from? Or how long has it been around?

S1: Since 1983, we’ve been sponsored by the Department of Labor. It’s a five-year grant funded program and it’s a national service. And that’s what enables us to provide all the services for free, both our consultation services as well as our training services.

CF: How many people do you have on staff?

S1: We have 13 consultants, and then a few IT staff, a few administrative people, and about six program assistants who receive the calls. In all, it’s a staff of about 27.

CF: Do you really just advise on policy matters, or do you also serve as a clearing house to talk to people about what kind of accommodations could be practical in different fields?

S1: I think our main role really is practical solutions, practical accommodations. That’s our core service. The policy part that we do really is that we look at the calls that we receive, see what’s happening in terms of accommodations for people with disabilities as well as the employer side, and we do provide some guidance in terms of policy at the national level. But primarily, our job really is to work one-on-one with people to find practical solutions in industries, in whatever setting they’re in, so that they can be successful in their job.

So when you look at our website, for instance, we have 220 publications – everything from accommodating arthritis to wheelchair use. We even have an industry sector publications as well, so if you’re looking for the healthcare field, you’re looking for specific accommodations that we often suggest and find that work in the healthcare setting, then you can go to one of our industry pubs.

CF: Thank you very much.

S1: Absolutely.

Blind Bargains is your home for the latest assistive technology news and reviews. Visit us at blindbargains.com, or follow Blind Bargains on Twitter for the inside scoop.

This has been another Blind Bargains audio podcast. Visit BlindBargains.com for the latest deals, news, and exclusive content. This podcast may not be retransmitted, sold, or reproduced without the express written permission of A T Guys. © 2014.

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J.J. Meddaugh is an experienced technology writer and computer enthusiast. He is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a major in telecommunications management and a minor in business. When not writing for Blind Bargains, he enjoys travel, playing the keyboard, and meeting new people.


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