7. Natural Supports
Employment supports are as unobtrusive as possible and (may) fade over time by building on community support and social capital.
Sometimes you may need support to do your job. The amount of support you need will depend on many different things such as:
- your individual needs
- the job you are being hired to do, and the tasks that are involved in that job
- the amount of time you spend at your job
- the other employees and their ability to be a help to you
You should be supported to do the job to the best of your ability. You should have enough supports and accommodations to make sure this happens.
Some of the accommodations you may need to be successful on the job might involve:
- equipment or assistive devices
- tools to increase your independence, such as a step-by-step list that breaks down your duties and how to do them
- flexibility in the amount of hours you work
- a job coach to assist you in learning the job
- support from your co-workers and supervisor, such as having someone you can ask if you are not sure about something
- support from your family (rides to work, etc.)
Sometimes these supports and accommodations will be there for a short period of time until you are comfortable and can do the job without help. Other times the supports may be there for longer. It may also be that you need ongoing supports.
Whatever supports or accommodations you require should be based on your needs, with you leading the process. As always, communication with your employer and support people are important for successful employment.