Category: Cram Session
I live in Texas. In the state of Texs I can not finacially survive completely on state or government assisstant. Now before anyone says well get a job, I am looking but alot of jobs I want you must have to have a degree. So here is my question for those that are in COLLEGE in whatever state, what does your state provide? Will they help support a person with tution first of all, books, supplies, rent, utilities? I know that there are a few that will do the above things, but I am looking into all myoptions so I want the scoop on where and what I can do.
Thanks for any and all help!
Marsha
I thought Texas had something which provided free tuition to public universities for people who are blind. In any event, rehabilitation agencies exist to help you become a tax-paying citizen, most likely by becoming employed. I'd go to your agency's website and see if you can find the policies which guide the decision making process. That will give you an idea of what you need to prove.
In the state of Texas, the state does provide tution excemption, but neither does that help with living expensives and other bills. Nor does my DBS help find people who are blind jobs, I know you are saying this is stupid, but it is the truth. I am doing my entire job search all on my own with no help what so ever, and that is probably why I have not found a job. Thus thinking if I do move, to a state with better services for the blind, I will be better off being a student or working. Why do I not live in a dorm at a university? Because I have three kids that I have to think of as well. No dorm or college is going to let me say on campus with three kids, nor do I want to make them move from their father. I am divorced before any one starts any thing they do not need to. I was also married for 13 years.
I thought they are supposed to help you find a job. have you discussed anything with them recently?
yes just this morning. I am going to be doing a voc rehab evalution in a week or so, for what I have no idea. I talk to my counselor almost daily if not every week. My case is open and active.
Congratulations Marsha! Typically, vocational evaluations do just that: they take a look at where your skill levels are, your potential to learn new skills, as well as your interests. After taking all of this in to consideration, your VR counselor should be able to sit down with you and develop a plan. They should cover any training you need and may also help with rent and other things, but there is no guaranty on that. But you have taken the first step, so congratulations on that! Good luck.
so I got this first step started, but even after all I jump through all there hoops, they are NOT still going to find me a job, there is no one to do that here in my state. as well my dbs does not help with any thing like rent or utilities. So this first step does me nothing. I am going to be homeless in may. because I have no money to pay rent, and I have no one to move in with. so that is wonderful!
Marsha,
I'm sorry to hear about the things your going through, but no one, I repeat, no one, will find you a job. No one finds anyone a job; sighted, blind, or otherwise.
Just some things to think about:
Do you need further training of some type? it may be blindness skills training, specific job training, or something else.
Also, how are you going about your job search? Do you have specific work in mind? You say you need a degree for it, but is there anything related to it you can try without a degree?
How many people do you know that do what you want to do and do it well? Those are the people that can help you find the job your looking for? Sending out resumes to people you don't know rarely works and is frustrating beyond belief. Believe me, I've tried it and it sucks!!
If I was you right now, I'd look for any type of work to make some cash. dishwashing, house or office cleaning, dog walking, anything to make some cash.
Good luck and let me know if I can do anything.
James, I know you are trying to help, but no matter if I continue to do what I am doing and what you suggest it does not help. It does not pay the rent and or the other bills. I know that no one is going to find me a job, some help would be nice though. I do not want anyone else to find me a job, I think that you have misunderstand me. I have gotten no calls back, no interviews, nothing. I can not do a work from home thing because my laptop does not work well, I can read off all the things that are wrong with it if you all like. And asking my state for them to help me buy another one is just is not going to happen. I have asked and the answer was no. Even the small jobs, I am having a hard time finding. I am looking into training. I know how to use my adaptive technology, like jaws and windoweyes. I have looked into medical transcriptionists, but the nice lady at the lighthouse for the blind in houston told me I was too stupid to do it. Now I do not think I am, but she did say there was alot of memorization, writing, typing and so on. I can do all that. I told her I had 72 hours of college, but she was not impressed. I have checked into the IRS program and it says on the website that you need a degree, now I have had mixed opinions on this one. Some people have told me that they do not require that, but others say they do. I have alot of job skills, I have worked in alot of different jobs. Again I am not asking anyone to find me a job, and I do know that it takes work, and it does take time. I have looked into jobs that I would start as volunteer and then maybe they would pay me after a while or maybe they would not. I can not take that chance. I did that for a year and I used my money to help me pay for things with my volunteer job and now they can not afford to pay me, nor pay me back. I can not take that chance. I am not asking anyone to feel sorry for me. I am only asking for suggestions and or advice. I have done alot of networking, all my friends, some of who do things I want to do have my resume, I have every friend, family member in the country keeping any eye out for me, but there is still nothing. At tis point I will do any thing, and I mean any thing. I just want a job, I want to work. My counselor is NO help what so ever. I am just asking for help nothing more. NOt for someone to find the job for me. Point me inthe right direction and I will go.
Some colleges have housing for nontraditional students, generally in apartments of some type. This may be an option if you take that route.
thank you I have been told that.
Marsha, a couple of things. I think you have my e-mail off-list. If you'd like to send me your resume, maybe I can help. Secondly, and this is a long shot, try talking to colleges and see if they need someone to help with their assistive technology.
Lou
Lu,
I do have your email address off list. I will certainly send it to you. Thank you for your help.
A couple of things come to mind as I read this board topic. If you are struggling financially and are having a hard time finding a job, perhaps you could look into different programs that are available to the general public that help out by providing different subsidies for those who are in need. I am in no way suggesting that one becomes dependent on such programs, but they can definitely help out when you’re struggling. Another thing you may want to look into is whether or not any of the colleges in your area provide any kind of grants or assistance for students with children. The local community college in my area provides grants for women with children to help out with living expenses as well as tuition. Perhaps there might be some similar programs in your area. Hope everything works out for you.