|
Everyday we meet challenges. Challenges at school, work and in our community. These challenges may consist of deadlines, scheduling appointments and meeting our basic needs and the need of those important in our lives.
What if these challenges were increased with the challenge of a physical disability?
Where do we go to find assistance in accomplishing the already existing challenges in our lives with the addition of a greater challenge of having a physical impairment?
While meeting daily challenges for those with physical disabilities may not always be easy, there are agencies and organizations specializing in education, training and employment placement to equip individuals in becoming self sufficient. There are many places in all localities offering various forms of assistance to the physically challenged. These resources can aid persons in living independent lives of quality.
In the field of education, your local public school must provide special education and training for those who are mentally retarded or physically handicapped. Many private schools offer these same benefits. Some communities offer in home teaching to train children who are physically unable to attend school. There are also private schools such as "The Maryland School For The Deaf", set up exclusively for teaching those with particular handicaps.
There are also many exceptional Adult Day Care facilities across the country specializing in specific care for those who are physically challenged. These day care centers provide participants with a place to socialize and interact with other people with similar disabilities. The United Cerebral Palsy Foundation (UCP), for instance, is one such program offering various types of assistance including Adult Daycare as well as residential care for individuals with both mental and physical disabilities.
Local government, the United Way, the Council of Churches, and other groups in your area may provide "Community Resource Directories" for a nominal cost that are worth their weight in gold. Local directories are the best resource for finding the best agencies to meet your particular needs in the area where you live. Services such as the "United Way" also offer a referral service, which provides the name, address and phone number of a specific agency to assist you in dealing with a specific circumstance.
For employment assistance you can contact the U.S. Employment Offices in your area. This service assists in placing persons with disabilities in jobs they are capable of performing.
Organizations such as Good Will Industries and Services for the Blind operate in most states and provide various services. Some of these services include employment placement, vocational training, rehabilitation and workshops to assist persons with disabilities in obtaining jobs so they will become self supportive and independent.
Vocational Rehabilitation offices within the division of your local state government can also assist those with disabilities. This division may provide diagnostic services to determine an individuals capabilities to assist them in gaining economic independence. The Vocational Rehabilitation offices also offer counseling, training and placement for the physically challenged. Their telephone number and location will be listed in your local white pages in the state government section.
The greatest challenge for a person with a physical disability may just be finding the right connection where they can receive the assistance they need. A force, which can assist them in opening doors of opportunity and removing barriers, and ultimately allowing them to become an independent, successful person of substance, using their individual talents to their utmost capacity.
| 
