FREE ESSAY ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

 Imagine seeing the world through the eyes of a person with a
disability. For an individual employed with the Bay St. George
Community Employment Corporation, this is a major aspect of
his/her job as a human service worker.
Located in Stephenville, "The Bay St. George Community
Employment Corporation is an innovative organization which is
responsible for developing training and employment for people
with developmental disabilities and supporting them"(The Bay St.
George Community Employment Corporation,1999,p.3). The purpose
of the organization is to help individuals find suitable work in
the form of a regular paying job, or by owning their own
business. One on one support, or a co-worker is provided to help
the individual make a successful transformation into the
workforce. According to The Bay St. George Community Employment
Corporation(1999), the agency typically serves clients from
Stephenville and the surrounding areas, who have received
referrals from other human services organizations such as Human
Resources & Employment and Community Health & Employment. The
agency operates on a weekly basis, Monday to Friday, from eight-
thirty a.m to four-thirty p.m. 
The typical job description of a co-worker consists of
supporting an individual with a developmental disability in
his/her day to day activities. More specifically, the job of a
co-worker involves walking the individual through the specific
job or task through modelling or demonstration to ensure that the
individual successfully completes the assigned task. For
example, the co-worker may have to guide the individual through
the process of using a tool such as a shovel or rake. As well as
work related tasks, co-workers are also responsible for ensuring
that the individual has access to others without disabilities and
is frequently given the opportunity to socialize. To allow for
regular interaction with other individuals, the individual and
the co-worker will often go out to eat at a restaurant of the
individual's or his choice. Likewise, the role of the co-worker
involves being aware of the individual's basic needs and allowing
these needs to be met. For example, the co-worker must provide 
transportation to and from the individual's workplace. They must
also arrange for the individual to return home if he/she becomes
ill during the working day. 
The job of co-worker, includes many exciting opportunities
and benefits. The co-worker is given the chance to attend team
meetings and to possibly become an advocate for the person they
are supporting. The salary of a co-worker ranges from
approximately $8.87 to $10.18 per hour and the individual is 
entitled to certain benefits. For example, each co-worker is
presented with a group plan which they can pay into in order to
receive dental and medical insurance. Co-workers are also
granted an annual leave(fourteen to thirty days) and a family
leave(five days), depending on the level of seniority of the co-
worker has attained.
To become a co-worker, one must demonstrate particular
skills, personal qualities, training and an educational
background. For example, when supporting someone with a
disability, one must show the skill of patience in order deal
with certain behaviors that may arise, or to repeat tasks until
the individual with a disability can successfully master them.
One must also acquire certain personal qualities. For example,
when dealing with a person with a disability, one must be
sensitive, taking into consideration the tone of voice and rate
of speech used when speaking to a person with a disability. 
Also, one must have trained in the areas of crisis intervention
and first aid, to allow workers to deal with both crisis and
medical situations.
Furthermore, To be a successful as a co-worker, one must
have an educational background in the field of disabilities. A
college diploma or university degree is attainable through a
Community Studies program at the College of the North Atlantic,
or the University College of Cape Breton. Additionally, the
corporation offers much opportunity for advancement. The agency
can grant a leave of absence to individuals wishing to undergo
educational pursuits. Those who have furthered their education,
may in future, wish to branch into other related disabilities
areas. These areas may include placement officer(finding
employment for individuals with disabilities), director for
residential support(finding suitable living arrangements for
persons with disabilities) and behavior management
specialist(helping to manage or control unacceptable behaviors
sometimes displayed by individuals with disabilities). 
In Conclusion, the role of co-worker is most suitable for
one who possesses the skills, training and educational background
mentioned above. As well, someone who enjoys interacting with
and desires to make a change in the life of a person with a
developmental disability. 
References
Bay St. George Community Employment Corporation (1999). Draft
Policy Document
Stephenville, NF: Bay St. George Community Employment
Corporation.