Advocacy through education
Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. promotes the full integration of persons with disabilities into their communities. We all encounter persons with disabilities in our daily lives whether or not we realize it. The better we understand the nature of various disabilities, the more open we can be to communicate, accept and support. All persons have something of value to offer if we, as individuals and communities are willing to receive. We have designed the Education & Advocacy portion of this site to help others learn more about disabilities and individuals. We plan for this section to grow over time and encourage you to take the time to read some of the educational topics we have selected. We also invite suggestions for topics you feel should be shared.
"In Their Shoes" is one important step on the path to removing the hidden barriers that impact us all. As educators, it is important for us to embrace the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act by creating an inclusive learning environment that is empowering and supportive of the needs of our students and employees with disabilities.
Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. believes that the more the general public understands about how to deal with persons with disabilities, the easier it will be for these individuals to integrate into the community. Our philosophy is to focus on the similarities we all have with these individuals, not the differences. We value full integration of persons with disabilities into the community and we have designed the Education & Advocacy portion of this site to help others learn how to feel comfortable when interacting with individuals with disabilities. We encourage you to take the time to read some of the educational topics we have selected.
Person Centered Planning
Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. uses a Person Centered approach to planning services with individual. This approach places the individual in charge of defining his/her own direction and goals.We provide an environment where individuals with disabiliites make their own work and life choices based on their skills, abilities, and interest. We understand that when people are empowered with making their own decisions that success is seen more often and more quickly.
Self Determination
Self Determination training provides individuals receiving supports the opportunity to learn about advocating for themselves. There are eight-week sessions where various topics are covered. After individuals have completed the "course" there is a monthly Self-Determination Club meeting. This provides individuals the opportunity to continue learning and mastering the skills of self advocacy and sharing success stories of advocating for themselves. Topics covered in the classes include:
- Becoming a Self Advocate
- Making Choices
- Making Responsible Choices
- Deciding What I Want
- Determining If I Can Have Everything I want
- Getting People to Listen to Me
- Changing My Mind
- Handling Disagreements
