Deborah Cujino-Deras and Graciela Burque of the California Department of Rehabilitation facilitated the Spanish version of this workshop. Martha Macias, also of the California Department of Rehabilitation, facilitated the English version of this workshop with assistance from Cujino-Deras and Burque.

People with disabilities can use the Department of Rehabilitation in California, or in other states, for services that can help them improve their ability to get a job, said presenters Deborah Cujino-Deras, Graciela Burque, and Martha Macias. Both the Spanish version and the English version of their workshop began with a videotape that described the eligibility process at the California Department of Rehabilitation. Each individual using the Department of Rehabilitation services has unique needs. Clients are prioritized among three categories: the most severely disabled clients, severely disabled clients, and disabled clients.

The California Department of Rehabilitation works with other agencies such as the Braille Institute in Los Angeles, and the Foundation for the Junior Blind for young children. Of the clients who use the services at the California Department of Rehabilitation, 72 percent are Latino, 35 percent of whom are monolingual Spanish speakers.

Getting Services

In order to receive services at the Department of Rehabilitation, a client must be a legal immigrant or resident. The workshop facilitators indicated that they were aware of a large number of undocumented people with disabilities who they were unable to serve. In addition to legal immigration or resident status, applicants must have the desire and motivation to work.

Some of the services available through the Department of Rehabilitation include: counseling and evaluation, assistive technology, school registration and school books (under a Student Education Plan), assistance with transportation (including access services or special transportation via van or taxi), assistance with job interviews, preparing resumes, placement services, post-employment services, reader services, note takers, and independent living services.

Educating Businesses About Disabled Workers

The workshop facilitators indicated that the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) within the U.S. Department of Education has a special project, called "Diversity Employment Source," in which various non-profit, private, and state agencies collaborate to educate businesses about workers with disabilities. Their quarterly seminars emphasize employers' benefits such as tax credits. Diversity Employment Source also participates in career expositions.

Audience Participation

One audience member suggested that the Spanish term "discapacidad" be used instead of "incapacidad" because the word "incapacidad" is associated with the English word, "handicapped," which is no longer considered acceptable. The workshop facilitators started using the word "discapacidad" for the remainder of the presentation.

Finding Jobs in Illinois

Francisco Alvarado, Manager of Hispanic Services at RSA in Illinois, spoke briefly to indicate that some vacancies are available for bilingual staff in Illinois. Individuals looking for jobs with various employers in Illinois can use the web site:
http://www.state.il.us/agency/dhs/employ_frame.html

This web site has a list of job vacancies available in the Illinois state government. There is also a link to another web site that help job seekers from anywhere in the United States find jobs available in Illinois: http://www.illinoisskillsmatch.com/

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