Experience Works Case Study
Michigan
The Traverse City Area District Library, (TADL) has a new and very technically advanced facility that includes a library for the blind. TADL decided to take on a new project by bringing a person who is blind on board. She is former Experience Works participant, Mrs. B.
A library staffer, coached Mrs. B until she was comfortable at her job. It was a joint effort funded by Experience Works, the Commission for the Blind and the District Library. In this case one organization paid Mrs. B's wage while another provided adaptive equipment and TADL provided the work setting. TADL agreed to do this because Ms. B has skills that will be useful for the library beyond the time of the initial funding.
The library was able to hook up Mrs. B's own Braille equipment to their computer system allowing her to do research just as a sighted person would. The advantage to the library is that because Mrs. B is blind she has insight and can empathize with those calling about services for people who are blind and recommend tapes and equipment available to them. She anticipates their needs.
The work assignment at the library served as an experiment. It was so successful that Mrs. B was hired to continue her work as a library employee. This work experience represents another step toward independence in her struggle to learn new techniques for living. Although she was hired at minimum wage for twenty hours per week, there are other benefits. Mrs. B's success has led to a request from the Association for the Blind for Experience Works to coordinate with area public schools, a training program for older, inexperienced workers who are visually impaired.
Successful Placement Curriculum Quick Link Menu
[Introduction] [Pre-Test] [ Module 1] [Module 2] [Module 3] [Module 4] [Module 5] [Module 6] [Module 7] [Post Test]
[Appendix A] [Appendix B] [Appendix C] [Appendix D] [Appendix E] [Appendix F] [Appendix G] [Appendix H]
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