Presentation at the 2014 Texas Statewide Independent Living Conference in Corpus Christi, Texas - Reach your own greatness and get that job! by Cosner Franco

1. 2014 Texas SILC Conference,
Corpus Christi, Texas
BEACH
Building Expanding Abilities Capacities Horizons
Reach Your Own Greatness &
Get that Job
Presented by:
Peggy Cosner, HOCTIL Executive Director
Peggy.Cosner@hoctilc.org
and
Carma Franco, Director of Employment & Training
Carma.Franco@hoctilc.org
Heart of Central Texas Independent Living Center, HOCTIL
www.hoctilc.org

2. Things to do with a Tin Can
Dwell in Possibility

3. Talent
s
Tools
Techniques
“3”
T-Points

4. Talents
• Think beyond
• Value
• Strengths
• Skills
• See the opportunities
• Likes

5. Willing to take Risk
“It’s not the disability that places limitations on
the individual-It is the individual with a
disability that puts limitations on themselves.”
Right to Risk

6. Self-Determination
• An understanding of one’s strengths and
limitations together with a belief in oneself as
capable and effective are essential to self-
determination.
• When acting on the basis of these skills and
attitudes, individuals have greater ability to take
control of their lives and assume the role of
successful adults.
Field, Martin, Miller, Ward and Wehmeyer (1998)

7. Promoting Self
You don’t need to change their
minds about the your disabilities.
You need to change
their minds about you.

8. Tools
Accommodations
Flexibility
 Assistive Technology – AT
 Affordable
 Skills
 See the opportunities
 What levels the playing field in the world of
work

9. Accommodations
IDEA vs. ADA
IDEA
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Schools are entitlement
Accommodations' are based on the child
needs
ADA
Work is not an entitlement
Accommodations’ are individualized and
based on the getting the job done

10.  Reasonable
accommodations
 Worksite
Accommodations
 Productivity
 Ensuring equal
participation
ACCOMMODATIONS
Help Solve situations

11. Values collision
 Our own personal values sometimes
dictate what we think others should do in
their lives. Our values are our principles,
standards, or qualities that are considered
worthwhile or desirable. Coonts and Jordan, 2006
 Family
 Employment
 Independent living

12. AT Demo
Know what is out there
Samples of AT that may be successful with your
workplace
One size does not fit all – same with jobs

13. Techniques
8 Steps to getting that job
1. Pay attention and do our homework
2. Resume and/or job application
3. Know what you are applying for
4. Presenting in a positive way
5. Attitude “it can win that job or lose it”
6. 5 second speech (elevator speech)
7. Always address the employers needs
8. Always be ready, you never know who can connect you to that job

14. Empowerment-Success
Life is 20% of what happens to you and
80% how you react.
 Make a list of what you want=outcomes
 What are the barriers
 What are your strengths and supports
 Create steps/direction to achieve goal
 Celebrate any and all success

15. This is your mission, if you accept know your
competition and play ball
Be Aware
Social Media
Job seeking is a full time job
Never assume
Use your contacts, friends,
Always be prepared
Tips for our Tree of Knowledge

16. Set yourself apart from the Crowd
Be the pool or be the pole
Passion
Motivation
Determination
Fantasy
High expectations!

17. Contact information
Heart of Central Texas Independent Living Center, HOCTIL
Belton/Waco Texas
www.hoctilc.org or 1-254-933-7487
Peggy Cosner, HOCTIL Executive Director - Peggy.Cosner@hoctilc.org
Carma Franco, Director of Employment & Training - Carma.Franco@hoctilc.org
“3”
T-Points
Tools
Talent
s
Techniques