WEBVTT
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Hi, my name is Juliet Stepech.
00:00:09.279 --> 00:00:14.320
I'm the Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Workforce Board and welcome to our Workforce Solutions podcast.
00:00:14.480 --> 00:00:17.679
We are pleased today to be joined by Fernando Rivera Jr.
00:00:17.839 --> 00:00:21.440
from the Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Program.
00:00:21.760 --> 00:00:22.399
Fernando?
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Hi Juliet.
00:00:23.359 --> 00:00:24.559
Thank you for having me today.
00:00:24.719 --> 00:00:25.600
I'm very excited.
00:00:25.839 --> 00:00:30.160
It's such a pleasure to be able to talk about workplace accommodations.
00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:36.079
So when we talk about accommodations, it sounds very technical and it just does sound scary.
00:00:36.479 --> 00:00:45.920
It's been my experience when I'm working with employers and a person says accommodations, the employer is already recoiling back thinking, oh no, here we go.
00:00:46.079 --> 00:00:49.520
I don't know if I want to do this, I don't know if I want to go down this road.
00:00:49.679 --> 00:00:53.920
When in fact, an accommodation is something, it could be something very simple.
00:00:54.159 --> 00:01:01.119
It could be something as simple as let's say we work in a call center and it's it's a little too loud.
00:01:01.359 --> 00:01:06.400
Providing a headphone set for one of your employees is an accommodation.
00:01:06.480 --> 00:01:07.519
Um, and it's simple.
00:01:07.680 --> 00:01:08.799
Well, where's the headphone set?
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Let's go ahead and give it to Fernando, and there you go, he's able to work again and not be distracted by all of the noise.
00:01:16.400 --> 00:01:17.519
It's that simple.
00:01:18.400 --> 00:01:25.439
So, how can an accommodation help someone do their job successfully without changing what's expected of them?
00:01:25.760 --> 00:01:28.560
Again, let's just use the person with the headphone set.
00:01:28.879 --> 00:01:36.959
You had a person here that was not able to work or perform to their level or to the level expectation of the company.
00:01:37.120 --> 00:01:38.319
And now here it is.
00:01:38.480 --> 00:01:39.599
What are we gonna do?
00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:44.719
The employee says, Well, it's kind of too loud here, and I'm not able to focus.
00:01:44.799 --> 00:01:49.200
Uh, those are a thing, those things can't change because it is it is a work center.
00:01:49.439 --> 00:02:10.400
Something as simple as a headphone set, which might be unorthodox or a little bit different than what we've done before, will get that employee right back up to speed and able to do the job and actually probably excel in what they're doing because they're focused now again, they're not distracted, and the business runs as normal, but now the employee can also perform with the business.
00:02:10.719 --> 00:02:16.159
So some employers may assume that accommodations are difficult and expensive.
00:02:16.639 --> 00:02:18.159
What would you say to them?
00:02:18.400 --> 00:02:25.680
That happens all the time, and I usually just go down to an accommodation is something as simple as lighting.
00:02:25.840 --> 00:02:32.080
As you know what, this is really bright and I'm not able to work because of something in my vision.
00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:33.840
Let's go ahead and provide them a lamp.
00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:35.599
Let's go down to Larry's office.
00:02:35.759 --> 00:02:40.719
He doesn't use that lamp, let's bring it over here and put it here, and we'll just turn down the lights.
00:02:40.879 --> 00:02:44.800
It could be something as simple as the employer adjusting the time.
00:02:44.960 --> 00:02:46.000
Say, hey, you know what?
00:02:46.159 --> 00:02:51.759
Instead of getting here at eight o'clock, let's go ahead and schedule you for 7 30 to 4 30.
00:02:52.080 --> 00:02:53.039
That's the accommodation.
00:02:53.199 --> 00:02:54.319
Very simple.
00:02:54.639 --> 00:02:56.400
And I work with, I'm sorry.
00:02:56.560 --> 00:02:58.000
I work with employers.
00:02:58.319 --> 00:03:01.199
Open up their minds to that because it's already there.
00:03:01.599 --> 00:03:05.439
Uh what I'm what we try to do is bring it to the forefront of their mind.
00:03:06.000 --> 00:03:07.439
That's what we're what we're doing.
00:03:07.520 --> 00:03:09.039
Because most employers know all these things.
00:03:09.120 --> 00:03:12.000
They're like, they're like, I knew that.
00:03:12.080 --> 00:03:13.840
Why why why are you here again, Fernando?
00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:16.319
I'm like, well, to remind you that it is there.
00:03:16.400 --> 00:03:18.319
And so that's what's going on.
00:03:18.639 --> 00:03:25.039
So, what's one misconception about people with disabilities in the workplace that you wish you could change?
00:03:25.439 --> 00:03:27.360
Wow, that there's a lot.
00:03:27.520 --> 00:03:28.080
There's a lot.
00:03:28.159 --> 00:03:39.520
I'm gonna see which one is my my top one that I wish that it I wish that I could change the misconception that a person with a disability will be a liability.
00:03:39.759 --> 00:03:41.120
It is totally wrong.
00:03:41.360 --> 00:03:42.319
It's false.
00:03:42.479 --> 00:03:48.159
But I I tell you what, uh, Texas Workforce Vocational Rehabilitation Service is ready for that.
00:03:48.319 --> 00:03:50.319
That's the number one thing that we're ready for.
00:03:50.560 --> 00:04:03.680
We go out, our team goes out, and we hammer down and prove with statistics, uh, with facts, with numbers and math, and with testimony that that's not the case.
00:04:04.159 --> 00:04:10.240
So, what are employers potentially missing when they overlook people with disabilities as part of their workforce?
00:04:10.479 --> 00:04:11.759
They're missing the talent pool.
00:04:12.080 --> 00:04:13.840
They're that they're missing it.
00:04:14.159 --> 00:04:23.680
Often I uh get with employers, and one of the name one of the main chief complaints that are happening right now in today is I can't find the guy to do this job.
00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:27.439
And I'm thinking in the back of my mind, I know why.
00:04:27.600 --> 00:04:35.439
You know, we have a talent pool that they're not tapping into that they're probably not even aware of, and we walk them slowly through it.
00:04:35.680 --> 00:04:41.680
Because let's face it, sometimes it's just if you're not aware of something or if you're not familiar with it, it's kind of scary.
00:04:41.839 --> 00:04:53.680
So we walk them through it, letting them know that this is not scary, and there's a huge talent pool, and there should be no employer out there saying that there's not enough employees for this, for their job.
00:04:53.839 --> 00:04:54.959
This this shouldn't exist.
00:04:55.120 --> 00:04:57.920
And our job is to make sure that that does not exist.
00:04:58.720 --> 00:05:06.160
So, Fernando, thank you so much today for sharing the important information about the talent pipeline that persons with disabilities provide.
00:05:06.319 --> 00:05:13.040
And we look forward to you sharing additional information about VR with our podcast listeners.
00:05:13.519 --> 00:05:15.519
Thank you for having me today, Juliet.
00:05:15.600 --> 00:05:16.800
I really appreciate it.
00:05:16.959 --> 00:05:17.519
Thanks.
00:05:17.759 --> 00:05:21.680
So we look forward to seeing you next time on the Workforce Solutions podcast.
00:00:07.360 --> 00:00:09.199
Hi, my name is Juliet Stepech.
00:00:09.279 --> 00:00:14.320
I'm the Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Workforce Board and welcome to our Workforce Solutions podcast.
00:00:14.480 --> 00:00:17.679
We are pleased today to be joined by Fernando Rivera Jr.
00:00:17.839 --> 00:00:21.440
from the Texas Workforce Commission Vocational Rehabilitation Program.
00:00:21.760 --> 00:00:22.399
Fernando?
00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:23.280
Hi Juliet.
00:00:23.359 --> 00:00:24.559
Thank you for having me today.
00:00:24.719 --> 00:00:25.600
I'm very excited.
00:00:25.839 --> 00:00:30.160
It's such a pleasure to be able to talk about workplace accommodations.
00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:36.079
So when we talk about accommodations, it sounds very technical and it just does sound scary.
00:00:36.479 --> 00:00:45.920
It's been my experience when I'm working with employers and a person says accommodations, the employer is already recoiling back thinking, oh no, here we go.
00:00:46.079 --> 00:00:49.520
I don't know if I want to do this, I don't know if I want to go down this road.
00:00:49.679 --> 00:00:53.920
When in fact, an accommodation is something, it could be something very simple.
00:00:54.159 --> 00:01:01.119
It could be something as simple as let's say we work in a call center and it's it's a little too loud.
00:01:01.359 --> 00:01:06.400
Providing a headphone set for one of your employees is an accommodation.
00:01:06.480 --> 00:01:07.519
Um, and it's simple.
00:01:07.680 --> 00:01:08.799
Well, where's the headphone set?
00:01:09.040 --> 00:01:16.000
Let's go ahead and give it to Fernando, and there you go, he's able to work again and not be distracted by all of the noise.
00:01:16.400 --> 00:01:17.519
It's that simple.
00:01:18.400 --> 00:01:25.439
So, how can an accommodation help someone do their job successfully without changing what's expected of them?
00:01:25.760 --> 00:01:28.560
Again, let's just use the person with the headphone set.
00:01:28.879 --> 00:01:36.959
You had a person here that was not able to work or perform to their level or to the level expectation of the company.
00:01:37.120 --> 00:01:38.319
And now here it is.
00:01:38.480 --> 00:01:39.599
What are we gonna do?
00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:44.719
The employee says, Well, it's kind of too loud here, and I'm not able to focus.
00:01:44.799 --> 00:01:49.200
Uh, those are a thing, those things can't change because it is it is a work center.
00:01:49.439 --> 00:02:10.400
Something as simple as a headphone set, which might be unorthodox or a little bit different than what we've done before, will get that employee right back up to speed and able to do the job and actually probably excel in what they're doing because they're focused now again, they're not distracted, and the business runs as normal, but now the employee can also perform with the business.
00:02:10.719 --> 00:02:16.159
So some employers may assume that accommodations are difficult and expensive.
00:02:16.639 --> 00:02:18.159
What would you say to them?
00:02:18.400 --> 00:02:25.680
That happens all the time, and I usually just go down to an accommodation is something as simple as lighting.
00:02:25.840 --> 00:02:32.080
As you know what, this is really bright and I'm not able to work because of something in my vision.
00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:33.840
Let's go ahead and provide them a lamp.
00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:35.599
Let's go down to Larry's office.
00:02:35.759 --> 00:02:40.719
He doesn't use that lamp, let's bring it over here and put it here, and we'll just turn down the lights.
00:02:40.879 --> 00:02:44.800
It could be something as simple as the employer adjusting the time.
00:02:44.960 --> 00:02:46.000
Say, hey, you know what?
00:02:46.159 --> 00:02:51.759
Instead of getting here at eight o'clock, let's go ahead and schedule you for 7 30 to 4 30.
00:02:52.080 --> 00:02:53.039
That's the accommodation.
00:02:53.199 --> 00:02:54.319
Very simple.
00:02:54.639 --> 00:02:56.400
And I work with, I'm sorry.
00:02:56.560 --> 00:02:58.000
I work with employers.
00:02:58.319 --> 00:03:01.199
Open up their minds to that because it's already there.
00:03:01.599 --> 00:03:05.439
Uh what I'm what we try to do is bring it to the forefront of their mind.
00:03:06.000 --> 00:03:07.439
That's what we're what we're doing.
00:03:07.520 --> 00:03:09.039
Because most employers know all these things.
00:03:09.120 --> 00:03:12.000
They're like, they're like, I knew that.
00:03:12.080 --> 00:03:13.840
Why why why are you here again, Fernando?
00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:16.319
I'm like, well, to remind you that it is there.
00:03:16.400 --> 00:03:18.319
And so that's what's going on.
00:03:18.639 --> 00:03:25.039
So, what's one misconception about people with disabilities in the workplace that you wish you could change?
00:03:25.439 --> 00:03:27.360
Wow, that there's a lot.
00:03:27.520 --> 00:03:28.080
There's a lot.
00:03:28.159 --> 00:03:39.520
I'm gonna see which one is my my top one that I wish that it I wish that I could change the misconception that a person with a disability will be a liability.
00:03:39.759 --> 00:03:41.120
It is totally wrong.
00:03:41.360 --> 00:03:42.319
It's false.
00:03:42.479 --> 00:03:48.159
But I I tell you what, uh, Texas Workforce Vocational Rehabilitation Service is ready for that.
00:03:48.319 --> 00:03:50.319
That's the number one thing that we're ready for.
00:03:50.560 --> 00:04:03.680
We go out, our team goes out, and we hammer down and prove with statistics, uh, with facts, with numbers and math, and with testimony that that's not the case.
00:04:04.159 --> 00:04:10.240
So, what are employers potentially missing when they overlook people with disabilities as part of their workforce?
00:04:10.479 --> 00:04:11.759
They're missing the talent pool.
00:04:12.080 --> 00:04:13.840
They're that they're missing it.
00:04:14.159 --> 00:04:23.680
Often I uh get with employers, and one of the name one of the main chief complaints that are happening right now in today is I can't find the guy to do this job.
00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:27.439
And I'm thinking in the back of my mind, I know why.
00:04:27.600 --> 00:04:35.439
You know, we have a talent pool that they're not tapping into that they're probably not even aware of, and we walk them slowly through it.
00:04:35.680 --> 00:04:41.680
Because let's face it, sometimes it's just if you're not aware of something or if you're not familiar with it, it's kind of scary.
00:04:41.839 --> 00:04:53.680
So we walk them through it, letting them know that this is not scary, and there's a huge talent pool, and there should be no employer out there saying that there's not enough employees for this, for their job.
00:04:53.839 --> 00:04:54.959
This this shouldn't exist.
00:04:55.120 --> 00:04:57.920
And our job is to make sure that that does not exist.
00:04:58.720 --> 00:05:06.160
So, Fernando, thank you so much today for sharing the important information about the talent pipeline that persons with disabilities provide.
00:05:06.319 --> 00:05:13.040
And we look forward to you sharing additional information about VR with our podcast listeners.
00:05:13.519 --> 00:05:15.519
Thank you for having me today, Juliet.
00:05:15.600 --> 00:05:16.800
I really appreciate it.
00:05:16.959 --> 00:05:17.519
Thanks.
00:05:17.759 --> 00:05:21.680
So we look forward to seeing you next time on the Workforce Solutions podcast.
