Skip Navigation

Home » Programs » Employment/Placement

Employment/Placement


Olmsted Center offers a full range of employment related services including programming for young adults entering the work world for the first time, to those who may require a brush up on the necessary skills to be successful in returning to a competitive employment situation. CBVH works with not-for-profit agencies for the blind throughout New York State including Olmsted Center, to provide these services. In 2008, CBVH placed 402 legally blind adults, State wide, in fields as diverse as law, social work, financial consulting, family divorce mediation, radio, youth services, physical therapy, counseling, teaching, retail, food services, banking and research.
 
Pre-Vocational Services provides the necessary skills to pre and early teens for job seeking, on the job behaviors and skills, and life related activities, which will support them in job retention. This training introduces the requirements of success in the working world. The main goal of these sessions is to focus on vocational readiness, addressing such issues as career exploration, communication, teamwork, and barriers to employment, among other related topics. Your child’s individual education plan (IEP) is also needed to incorporate some of the goals to provide an individualized pre-vocational plan. Curriculum can be done on an individual or in a group setting. Group is typically ran over spring break for four, 4 hour sessions. The goal is to prepare the students for the summer On-Site Program (see below). Contact your child’s CBVH counselor if you feel your child is ready for this experience.
 
The On-Site Program is a 6-8 week summer program that is a continuation of pre-vocational services in which students gain actual paid, work experiences within their field of interest. Each Monday students convene at Olmsted Center where positive workplace values are reinforced by the continuation of training for career and educational pursuits.This year we are adopting the Junior Achievement curriculum for which each student will partake in a structured program and receive a Certificate of Achievement directly from JA. They will also take part in an actual job shadowing experience. Students visit job sites to explore the many career opportunities available. Some sites have included: The Buffalo News, Marine Midland Arena, and the Ellicott Square Building. In addition, each year we bring in a representative from a different college in the Buffalo area to discuss academic options as well as disability services. Tuesday through Friday, students work at various job sites. This no-cost program provides students with an opportunity to experience professional responsibilities in the workplace. Olmsted Center staff visit the work sites randomly to monitor progress. We also provide a job coach to those students who need a little extra help in the work place.
 
Work Experience Training is a program for all ages to establish competitive employment skills.  This begins with one of our Placement Specialists assessing your abilities and interests for a competitive job setting. This is followed by relationship-building with community employers allowing clients to participate in a work experience, much like an internship. A work experience can last anywhere from a few weeks for our summer youth groups and up to and 12 weeks for adult clients. Clients are paid for their work experience by Olmsted Center who is funded by the Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH). This creates a positive situation for the client who receives compensation and valuable work experience to bolster a resume. Likewise, the employer receives a well-qualified employee at no cost.
 
The Job Readiness Program provides participants with training to assist in re-entering the work force after an absence or how to obtain competitive employment for the first time. Participating in a job readiness group is often recommended when the individual is not quite ready to a pursue competitive employment search. Clients will learn everything from writing a cover letter and resume to negotiating a raise at an annual review. They partake in mock interviews as well as group discussions relative to job readiness skills. This program is most advantageous when offered in a group setting but the staff is also able to provide one on one training if needed.
 
Placement Services
All Placement related services are provided in conjunction with the client’s CBVH counselor in efforts to achieve the goal identified on the consumer’s service plan.
  • Placement Assessment - Prior to receiving Placement Services clients participate in an assessment to evaluate their readiness to pursue services leading to community-based, non-subsidized employment. The outcome of this assessment will determine that the client is either ready to move forward with a plan for development or that would better benefit from additional training such as a work experience or partaking in a job readiness group.
  • Placement Development - Services are intended to prepare clients to participate in the job search process. These services may include: resume development, application training, job seeking skills, interviewing skills and job retention training. Participants take part in a minimum of three interviews with a goal of being offered a permanent position.
  • Placement - Involves working with the client in terms of job site support including but not limited to orientation and mobility instruction, the provision of adaptive techniques and regular follow up to ensure job retention.
If you would like to inquire about any of the placement services offered at Olmsted Center, please contact one of our placement staff:
 
Joli Blaha 
Placement Specialist
716-888-4554
 
Rebekah Fleming
Placement Specialist
716-888-4579
 
Sheri Shaw
Director of Rehabilitation Services
716-888-4578