CHAPTER 4: Steps to Eliminate Barriers Clients Face MAKING PLANS WITH PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY ● Be realistic with the goals that are established. If a person has a goal that you believe is not possible, discuss what that person may need to learn either in school or through another route and discuss short-term goals that may be established to help that person meet their desired long-term goal or may help the person understand that an alternate goal may be a better idea. ● If an individual has never had a job, be sure to help that person understand how going to work will change his or her daily activities. Have the person discuss his or her normal routine, home and family responsibilities, regularly scheduled appointments and determine how the person plans to manage work and home activities effectively. (This would be a good discussion with any person who has never been employed or who has had a significant period of unemployment.) ● Give the person assignments that require him or her to complete certain tasks over a period of time so they can learn how to take responsibility. ● Assist the person in developing step by step activities in order to achieve a goal. ● Establish expectations. Do not allow the person with a disability to make an excuse as to why he or she cannot do an activity that can be learned or achieved. ● Be assertive and supportive at the same time. ● Assist the person in locating resources that may be required to help the person achieve a goal. ● Be patient and understand that the person may have never been in a work environment or an environment that has allowed exceptions because the person has a disability. ● Understand that a family member may be somewhat intrusive or may be very supportive. Determine how you can engage the family member in a positive way without that person taking charge of the planning you and the person with the disability have identified as productive steps. ● Be sure to explore how the person’s benefits will be affected by the plan and also services for which the person might be eligible to help facilitate the plan. ● Explore barriers that might need to be addressed.
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