APSE CESP - Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP)

Paid work trials are a form of on-the-job training that allow employers to assess the skills and suitability of potential employees before offering them a job contract. They are different from unpaid work trials, which are only legal if they are brief, supervised, and used to demonstrate the minimum requirements of the job12. Paid work trials are also different from volunteer work, which is done for a charitable or community organization without expectation of payment or employment3. A guarantee of job offer is not a part of a paid work trial, as the employer may decide not to hire the worker after the trial period. Going to the day program is not a paid work trial, as it is not related to a specific job or employer. References: 1: What are Your Entitlements: Paid vs Unpaid Trials 2: When is a Trial Shift Legal? (2024 Update) - Lawpath 3: Volunteering - Fair Work Ombudsman

 The most important activity to prepare Tanya to start work is to spend time on the job site learning about the job duties and preparing a job task analysis and identifying co-workers to help support her. This is because this activity will help you to understand the expectations and requirements of the job, as well as the culture and environment of the workplace. You will also be able to identify the skills and supports that Tanya will need to perform the tasks and interact with others. A job task analysis is a tool that breaks down the job into its essential components and describes the steps, skills, and conditions involved in each task1. Identifying co-workers to help support Tanya is part of the natural supports strategy, which involves using the existing resources and relationships in the workplace to provide ongoing assistance and integration for the employee with a disability2.

References:

1: Job Task Analysis: A Guide for Employment Support Professionals1

2: Natural Supports: A Guide for Employment Support Professionals2

I cannot provide a comprehensive and detailed explanation for you, but I can give you some hints and tips. You should consider the following factors when getting the attention of a person with a hearing loss:

The person may use different modes of communication, such as sign language, lip reading, or hearing aids2.

The person may have different preferences and needs for how they want to be approached and communicated with2.

The person may have different levels of hearing loss, ranging from mild to profound2.

The person may have different cultural backgrounds and identities related to their hearing loss2. You should avoid the following factors when getting the attention of a person with a hearing loss:

Tossing a light object at them, as this may be seen as disrespectful, rude, or aggressive3.

Speaking louder, as this may not help them hear better and may distort your speech or cause discomfort3.

Grabbing their shoulders and turning them toward you, as this may be seen as intrusive, violent, or startling3. References: 1: CESP Candidate Handbook, page 5 2: Communicating with People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing 3: Disability Etiquette: Tips on Interacting with People with Disabilities, page 9-10

 The least effective question to ask is “How do you feel about employing people with disabilities?” This is because this question is not relevant to the purpose of an informational interview, which is to gather information about the business, the industry, the job requirements, and the employer’s needs1. Asking this question may also create a negative impression of the job developer and the job seeker, as it may imply that the job seeker is not qualified or capable of performing the job, or that the employer has a bias or prejudice against people with disabilities2. Furthermore, this question may violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits employers from asking disability-related questions before making a job offer3.

References:

1: Informational Interviewing: A Guide for Employment Support Professionals1

2: Job Development Dos and Don’ts2

3: Pre-Employment Inquiries and the ADA3

 When presenting your employment services to the local Chamber of Commerce, you should focus on the value proposition of hiring the individuals you represent, rather than their disabilities. Providing definitions or explanations of the disabilities of the job seekers you represent may create stereotypes, stigma, or pity, which are not conducive to building trust and respect with potential employers. Instead, you should highlight the consumer base and buying power of people with disabilities, the benefits of hiring the individuals you represent (such as skills, diversity, loyalty, etc.), and the tax incentives or other value-added benefits for businesses (such as reduced turnover, increased productivity, etc.). 

According to the CESP Candidate Handbook1, Domain 4: Workplace and Related Supports covers the following tasks:

4.1 Assist individuals to understand their rights and responsibilities related to employment, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and other relevant laws and policies.

4.2 Assist individuals to understand and access benefits planning and assistance, including Social Security work incentives, health care coverage, and other public benefits.

4.3 Assist individuals to access and use natural and formal supports in the workplace and community, including co-workers, supervisors, mentors, peer networks, and advocacy organizations.

4.4 Assist individuals to develop and use self-advocacy and self-determination skills to achieve their employment goals and address workplace issues.

4.5 Assist individuals to develop and use strategies to cope with stress, disability-related challenges, and personal crises that may affect their employment.

4.6 Assist individuals to access and use transportation options to and from work and work-related activities.

4.7 Assist individuals to access and use assistive technology, accommodations, and other resources to enhance their job performance and satisfaction.

4.8 Assist individuals to access and use career advancement opportunities, such as continuing education, training, and promotion.

The only option that is a funding source for employment support services is C. Ticket to Work (OTW). The Ticket to Work program is a voluntary program that helps Social Security disability beneficiaries find and keep employment, increase their earnings, and reduce their reliance on benefits2. The program offers beneficiaries access to free employment services, such as career counseling, job placement, and ongoing support, from authorized providers called Employment Networks (ENs) or State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies2. The program also provides work incentives and protections for beneficiaries who participate, such as continuation of health care coverage, expedited reinstatement of benefits, and protection from medical reviews2.

The other options are not funding sources for employment support services. Option A, Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), is a federal tax credit available to employers who hire and retain workers from certain target groups, such as veterans, ex-felons, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients3. Option B, Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), is a refundable tax credit for low- to moderate-income working individuals and families, especially those with children4. Option D, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including employment, education, transportation, and access to public and private facilities5. References: 1: CESP CandidateHandbook 2: Ticket to Work Program Overview 3: Work Opportunity Tax Credit 4: Earned Income Tax Credit 5: Americans with Disabilities Act

The best way to know more about a job seeker is to ask him directly about his background and desire for services. This is consistent with the principles of self-determination, empowerment, and person-centered planning that are part of the CESP Domain 2 Individualized Employment and Career Planning1. Asking him directly also shows respect for his autonomy and preferences, and allows him to share his strengths, interests, and goals in his own words. Asking family and clinicians, reading his case file, or placing him in a job without his input may provide some useful information, but they may also be biased, outdated, or irrelevant to his current situation and aspirations. Moreover, they may undermine his confidence and motivation to pursue employment. References: 1: CESP Content Outline - CESP

A reasonable accommodation is any change to the application or hiring process, to the job, to the way the job is done, or the work environment that allows a person with a disability who is qualified for the job to perform the essential functions of that job andenjoy equal employment opportunities1. Reasonable accommodations are required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act for employers who have 15 or more employees12.

Among the four options, only D is not an example of a reasonable accommodation, because orientation training for new employees is not a change that is specifically related to a person’s disability. Orientation training is a benefit or privilege of employment that is typically provided to all new employees, regardless of their disability status13. Therefore, providing orientation training is not a reasonable accommodation, unless the training itself is modified to accommodate a person’s disability (such as providing sign language interpreters, materials in alternative formats, or assistive technology)13.

Options A, B, and C are examples of reasonable accommodations, because they are changes that are specifically related to a person’s disability and enable them to apply for, perform, or enjoy the benefits of a job. An application in larger print is a reasonable accommodation for a person with a visual impairment who may have difficulty reading standard print12. A wheelchair ramp is a reasonable accommodation for a person with a mobility impairment who may have difficulty accessing a building or a work area12. A headset to enable hands-free access to the phone system is a reasonable accommodation for a person with a manual dexterity impairment who may have difficulty holding or dialing a phone12.

References:

1: Reasonable Accommodations in the Workplace | ADA National Network

2: Enforcement Guidance on Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship under the ADA | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

3: Reasonable Accommodations - U.S. Office of Personnel Management

The LEAST appropriate FIRST step is to help her get a small business loan. This would be premature and risky, as it would involve committing to a financial obligation without having a clear and realistic business plan. It would also bypass the important steps of assessing her strengths, interests, needs, and goals, as well as researching the market and the feasibility of her business idea. The other options are more appropriate and helpful because:

A. Visiting local businesses would help her to learn from other entrepreneurs, network with potential partners or customers, and identify the opportunities and challenges of running a business in her community.

B. Determining her prior work experience would help her to evaluate her skills, knowledge, and abilities, as well as her areas of improvement and development. It would also help her to showcase her qualifications and achievements to potential investors or lenders.

C. Learning why she wants to start her own business would help her to clarify her vision, mission, and values, as well as her motivation and passion. It would also help her to set realistic and attainable goals and objectives for her business. References:

CESP Candidate Handbook, page 12, Domain 2: Individualized Employment and Career Planning, Task 2.20: Self-employment resources for job seeker, Knowledge of 2.20.1: Self-employment options and resources

CESP Practice Exam, question 5, answer C: The job seeker’s strengths, interests, needs and conditions for employment.