DeafBlind Employment Specialists
Helen Keller National Center’s DeafBlind employment specialists are located in multiple states across the country. The primary focus of the DeafBlind employment specialists is to provide one-on-one services to DeafBlind individuals, in compliance with the Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act (WIOA), toward the achievement of employment outcomes, with a commitment to a fully inclusive community-based environment.
Each DeafBlind employment specialist also provides individualized training to families and service providers. In collaboration with the HKNC regional representative, the DeafBlind employment specialist carries out identified and specific targeted activities to increase capacity for local services to promote the principles of inclusive living and employment opportunities.
Training areas covered by the DeafBlind employment specialist includes:
- Job development
- Soft skills training
- Resume development
- Completing applications
- Interview skills
The DeafBlind employment specialist also provides training in:
- Communication strategies for the workplace
- Use of adaptive technology
- Community resources for independent living
- Resources for travel to and from the workplace.
- Creative and innovative job accommodations
- Accessibility strategies
