For people looking for a job.?

For people looking for a job with any kind of disability, Please go to your state's VESID office.


VESID stands for Vocational, Educational Services for Individuals with Disabillites, this is what they do. This is what they are set up for to help those of us who have some kind of disablity to get back into the work force if it's possible for us to do so! The office can usually be found in the white pages of your phone book under the heading of STATE offices.
For people looking for a job.?
I don't have a disability but came across your question. That's really nice of you to post that for people!
Reply:Although this isn't really a question, per se, I would like to add something.





Just because you have a disability, especially mental health issues, you do not HAVE to go to this office. IF you are able to function on your own with your career, with the help of your therapist and meds, you might want to try to do this without the VESID's help. Why? Because as much as we would love to live in a world without prejudice, stereotypes, or stigma, its not a perfect world. If you feel you can manage your career on your own, you will probably get a better, higher paying job or position on your own. Your medical and psychiatric history is legally none of the employers business, UNLESS you need special assistance to complete your job. IF this is the case, I would recommend getting assistance from the VESID office. There is no shame in doing that, and they will be able to help negotiate reasonable accomodations for your needs with the employer.





As someone who has PTSD, Major Depression, Dystonia (neuromuscular disease) and a Conversion Disorder when unable to handle stressful situations, I found that my way to work best was to work from home as an independent contractor, taking on only as much as I can handle, not having a boss, and taking breaks when needed. After a major hospitalization, I lost my traditional job 5 years ago, and got the stigma of "disabled" attached to my good name in our local community. No one wanted to hire me because I may have a seizure, faint, or miss work. I was an excellent worker though, and many people were thrilled to hire me as a consultant for their advertising, marketing, and promotions when they didn't have to pay my salary or be liable for me physically. I started my own business, and it has been the best deal for me, personally. Ironically, one of my largest accounts was for the local Community Mental Health agency, doing contract work. When a position came available for a part time employee for marketing, I was not hired, and the honest answer from the boss was BECAUSE of my disabilities. And this is an agency dedicated to erasing the stigma attached to mental health. They ended up hiring a less qualified agency and paying three times what I bid for the job. I was not only qualified and more than able to do the work, I was their first choice. It was upon further review that the second choice was offered the job.





It all turned out good in the end though. I just got a job as a small business consultant for my county for the Small Business Administration, and I still get to work from home, set my own schedule, and the pay is double what I would have had in the positions where my disabilities were well known.





Do what is best for you. Take care.