Tuevo Kaartti & Pekka Vihanto

“ Improving Diversity through

Supported Employment ”

LIVING LIFE TO THE FULL EXAMPLE CASES FROM THE JOB

COACHING PROCESS

THE SERVICE FOUNDATION FOR THE DEAF

Teuvo Kaartti, Pekka Vihanto

hosted by:

In association with:

PRESENTATION STRUCTURE:•Background to Service Foundation for the Deaf’s work preparation programme• Examples of the work preparation process for deaf people • Observations by Poveri clients, employees, educational institutions, employers and parents, collected through interviews• Aim to stimulate discussion regarding the challenges and solutions that emerged regarding supported employment for people with sensory disabilities or different cultural backgrounds

Background to Service Foundation for the Deaf’s work preparation programme

History of the Service Foundation for the Deaf in Finland goes all the way to 1897

The purpose of The Service Foundation for the Deaf is to create, develop, and keep up special services that will support the personal growth and life-management of deaf and deafblind people at different stages and situations of life with the aid of interaction, peer support, and expertise.


The services are given in Finnish Sign Language. Seven service centres around Finland provide housing services and other service activities, like work activities, supported employment services, community based home care, training of Finnish sign language etc.

Background to Service Foundation for the Deaf’s work preparation programmeSign language working center Sampola (Hämeenlinna, Finland)The service operates in conjunction with Sampola working center is Finland's only working center in sign language. Sampola offers for deaf and deaf-blind to their abilities and skills in similar work, and work activities.


Sampola working center has been developed in the assessment and employment rehabilitation, working and functional capacity a center of excellence. Some of the staff is studying job coachings special vocational preparatory training.


The Poveri-project (2012-2015)Development of vocational rehabilitation practicesPoveri supports its customers' choice of profession as well as providing support in matters related to studying.The aim is to be directed to more actively work center outwards towards the open labor market, and serve as an intermediate labor market as a workplace for their own good performance difficult to employ sign language.

Examples from real life and the work preparation processEMPLOYMENT FOR DEAF AND DEAF-BLIND PEOPLESHORTCOMINGS:1. Government bureaucracy2. Employer and workplace attitudes towards deafness and sign language 3. Lack of awareness/expertise regarding the specific needs of deaf and deaf-blind clients

4. Communication barrier5. Failure of network collaboration6. Educational problems

Examples from real life and the work preparation processChallenges in the workplace

Deaf people may have difficulties with internal workplace information in various situations

quick changes in working habits new work guidelines allocation of duties when temporarily

short-staffed availability of interpreter

Examples from real life and the work preparation processChallenges in the workplace

Often an employee that uses sign language is only able to perform tasks that he/she has learnt correctly how to do and has done before

adopting new tasks may take a long time in a hectic situation, other employees do

not have time to teach new tasks

Examples from real life and the work preparation processINSTRUCTIONS FOR USING AN INTERPRETERGood to meet the interpreter before the interpreting event

10-15 min is fine at least Provide the interpreter with materials

beforehandTalking/signing in the interpreting event

Calmly Clearly But normally Address the client, not the interpreter

Examples from real life and the work preparation process

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING AN INTERPRETER

Interpreter speaks in the first person E.g. ‘I have been deaf since I was born.’

Do not speak to the interpreter during the interpreting event or ask for their input

You can ask the interpreter for any advice related to interpreting before the interpreting event


INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING AN INTERPRETER

During the interpreting event the interpreter may ask you

To pause for a moment To repeat To slow down To clarify what you have just said

The interpreter is bound by confidentiality

Examples from real life and the work preparation processPROBLEM SITUATIONSThe client and the interpreter do not know each otherTerms used are unfamiliar to both the client and the interpreterPreparations have not been made for the work interviewHurry Cultural differences Conceptions of rules for working life (work trial<>working relationship)Communication habits, attitude


PREPARING FOR THE JOB INTERVIEW

Set aside time to get to know the client/interpreter Familiarise yourself with the concepts, main signs, names, dates etc. that you will be usingRehearsing the interview/different interaction situations Job application documents (work and education certificates, CV)


WORK PREPARATION IN THE WORKPLACE:

• Rules for working life• Workplace guidelines for communication • Providing information about interpreting services

Examples from real life and the work preparation processCustomer case 1.The first example of a case of people is a young man, Tony, 28, who is socially strong and not afraid of work man. He has felt the responsibility and the deaf hear from friends that the student-term friends. Tony has lived in Sampola since 2005. He began his internship first in Sampola. He had to adapt to the challenges of working life rules of the game. Free-time activities were more interested. Tony was interested to work in storage area and he had a training trial in the spring of 2013.

Examples from real life and the work preparation processCustomer case 1.

In the autumn of 2013 he began studying the storage sector preparatory training, which lasted 10 months.Studies included a work placement in various storage sector jobs. After studying he got work tests in the company, which has cooperated with Sampola. There was also another deaf worker who has been supported Tony in his job.


Customer case 1.


Customer case 1.

The future of Tony's work looks bright, becausehe has got a permanent job!


Another example of a client Ville, 22, a student at a vocational education leading to a welder, which he began in the autumn of 2013. The metal industry basic training he completed in 2012. Continuing the metal, 3.5 months in the spring of 2013.

Poveri has worked closely with many parties: labor administration, parents, the Social Insurance Institution, colleges, interpreter service provider.


The curriculum of study has been revised in accordance with the Ville’s learning skills, and the goal is that they will be completed by March 2016.

He was a trainee in one metal company in March and April period of 2015. During the summer holidays he is going to get summer job in the same company and continue later job training in that job.


Examples from real life and the work preparation processCustomer case 2.Co-operation with the school and the workplace is working really well!

Poveri project customers, employees, educational institutions, employers, partners and parents' interviews collected comments

Poveri-project interviews conducted by an outside worker in February March 2015

• Sign language Interviews (6), recorded on video• Finnish (9) recorded


The electronic survey in March 2015• Posted to the 33 partner• Responses were received from 13 pc• Association of the Deaf rehabilitation of the

secretaries• Association of the Deaf job agents


The electronic survey in March 2015• Partner institutions• Cooperation Organizations• Employment offices• The monitoring group members

CLIENTS’ EXPERIENCES

Great significance of work

Social relationships, quality of life, salary “Being unemployed was hard. Taking

care of myself and my own affairs was difficult. My daily rhythm was completely out of sync, just a mess. Now when I go home after work, I have more energy to do chores at home as well. I also sleep better, now that I have a regular pattern to my days.”

CLIENTS’ EXPERIENCES

Great significance of work

“At Sampola, we have a shared language. I am much more comfortable here than at my old workplace. There I was always alone. Everyone around me was talking and I was bored. I had no idea what other people were talking about. It really didn’t feel great.”

CLIENTS’ EXPERIENCES Great significance of work

“Here we’ve been able to work together well and being able to sign certainly helps a lot. We’re able to interact and I get guidance on how to do things. When you have a whole group of signers working together, things just flow. And when you have a good attitude.”

“Sampola is safe. And the good thing is that you can do different kinds of work. I feel content in this environment and with my life here. I am really content in my work role. I get to concentrate on my work and there’s something to do all the time.”

WORK COACHES’ EXPERIENCES

Poveri has enabled us to provide the personal support that our clients need

Support in the beginning phase shown to be particularly important both for our clients and the companies employing them

Through employment, our clients are able to ‘take part in society’

Work has boosted their self-confidence; it has also helped them be more proactive and take initiative

Positive experiences of working with companies, but more needs to be done to change attitudes

EXPERIENCES OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION REPRESENTATIVES

Students received a great deal of support from the Poveri project

“The work coach’s support was just what he needed to finish up his studies. And the project offered continuing support after his studies ended as well. It provided vocational development and guidance into an independent life.”

EXPERIENCES OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION REPRESENTATIVES

“We were in close communication with the Poveri work coach. We thought together about how best to support the student. If the Poveri project would not have made this support possible, I would definitely have been in trouble. I don’t know if ‘Jimi' would have been able to continue his studies if it hadn’t been for Poveri.”

EXPERIENCES OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION REPRESENTATIVES Reducing prejudice

“I was happy that there wasn’t any drama – any ‘oh no, now we’ve got this deaf kid’ – rather, it was just accepted that we have one deaf student in our class. End of story.”

“I can see how his presence also gave a lot to the rest of the group. That they can see how the learning process works for someone who can’t hear. It was quite a big step indeed for ‘Jimi’ to be in a classroom with hearing students.”

FACTORS THAT PROMOTE EMPLOYMENT

The work coach works alongside the clients as a ‘work buddy’

Knowing the client well Tailored tasks and working times Peer support. Signing workmates providing

models and support Work that is experienced as pleasant Encouragement and praise Relationship of work coaches to the

workplace and their familiarity with the business world

FACTORS THAT MAKE EMPLOYMENT DIFFICULT

Employer attitudes Weakness of the economy Difficulty of combining pay and pension Client’s ability to function and/or

motivation is weak Need for guidance is too great Communication challenges Signing person in a workplace full of

hearing people

WHY DO WE NEED SERVICES OFFERED BY PROJECTS LIKE POVERI? “The way I see it, we need projects like this and

they should have more visibility. So that more public attention would be directed to the concerns of the signing community. The way I see it, we are still in two separate camps. The hearing over here and the signing over here, while they (the hearing) try to push forward their concerns. But what if the hearing don’t even know where they’re going? It’s about cultivating tolerance, learning to see things a little differently. Too often, stark, over-simplified decisions are made about what deaf people can and cannot do and how deafness limits a person’s ability to do a certain job. We need to broaden this perspective. It’s not quite so black and white.”

WHY DO WE NEED SERVICES OFFERED BY PROJECTS LIKE POVERI? “At one point when I was applying for this

internship – and of course it wasn’t that easy – I did think that becoming employed was quite an enormous goal to be tackling. Both with the way things are right now and in general. But it is definitely worth pursuing. It’s a huge thing to be employing deaf people and people who need a different type of guidance in their work and a different kind of support. The important thing, if you do go to work, is to have someone with you who you trust. The support of the work coach has been absolutely indispensable. And then it raises the visibility and awareness of deaf culture. That it’s not some bogey, just that there are certain things to be aware of.”

Observations by Poveri clients, employees, educational institutions, employers and parents, collected through interviewsFactors that make it difficult to employ our clientsEmployer attitudes. Prejudices, lack of awareness and experience with regard to sign language. The economy is in bad shape at the moment. Co-determination arrangements are being negotiated in many companies. Weaknesses in the client’s ability to function or motivation. Challenges on the level of basic skills as well as commitment.

Observations by Poveri clients, employees, educational institutions, employers and parents, collected through interviewsFactors that make it difficult to employ our clientsNeed for guidance is too great. Work tasks often require a high level of independence. If a workplace does not have enough support teams, then the client will not be able to cope. Language barrier. Communication challenge; it takes time, misunderstandings easily arise, conversation is often only superficial. The signing person being alone in a hearing world. Separation, loneliness. Do not feel they belong.

Observations by Poveri clients, employees, educational institutions, employers and parents, collected through interviews

Factors that make it difficult to employ our clients

On the other hand, potentially also feeling they do not belong in the signing community and/or conflicts with other signers. Difficulty of combining pay and pension.

Observations by Poveri clients, employees, educational institutions, employers and parents, collected through interviewsFactors that promote employment of our clientsHaving a work coach working alongside the client. The client has a ‘confidant’ of sorts, someone they can trust, at the workplace offering guidance. Provides assurance and security. The client feels he/she is not alone. Relationship of work coaches to the workplace and their familiarity with the business world. The employer knows the client well; their wishes, needs and abilities have been clarified.

Observations by Poveri clients, employees, educational institutions, employers and parents, collected through interviewsFactors that promote employment of our clientsTailored tasks and working times. Encouragement and praise. So they want to continue and do more. Positive feedback will help the client to begin to believe in their own ability. Peer support. Signing workmates providing models and support. Work that is experienced as pleasant.

Observations by Poveri clients, employees, educational institutions, employers and parents, collected through interviewsOther perspectivesCounterposing a good outside world to a bad institution does not help to support the client. What sorts of flexible solutions are possible? E.g. part-time work, limited/assisting tasks. Support for the employer, how could this be increased? Raising awareness, working out solutions together. Does the client have the opportunity to experience managing a task independently? Helping the client develop a skill set and locate resources.

Observations by Poveri clients, employees, educational institutions, employers and parents, collected through interviewsFactors affecting the education of the signing person Teacher’s limited experience of signing students and deaf culture Student’s weakness in basic skills (e.g. Finnish), affects e.g. the ability to read instructions and carry out written assignments Conditions for having an interpreter along on work on work placements (e.g. property manager’s car only seats two)

THANK YOU!

Presentations & Public Speaking

Tuevo Kaartti & Pekka Vihanto