Transportation Stability (3 of 4)
In terms of Disability and Employment, successful employment is supported by Stability, which includes these 4 areas: Medical, Psychiatric, Transportation and Residential.
This article focuses on Transportation Stability. From the start of the job search – focus on transportation option(s) and developing a plan for the Job Seeker to get to/from future employment, knowing… transportation will play a role in the distance an individual is comfortable commuting, and if using public transportation, will also effect the hours available to work (availability) and the accessibility of potential job sites (is it on the bus route, if so, how long is the commute/round trip). If there is no transportation plan; this is an excellent time to develop a primary and backup plan for future employment.
Transportation can be a significant barrier to reaching the goal of employment. Often, upon addressing the Job Seeker’s transportation plan, I have been told “we will figure it out”. Unfortunately, this is not a plan and generally results in panic when the job is obtained. The purpose of a transportation plan is to anticipate ahead and avoid panic (knowing starting a job itself is likely to be its own stressor).
If the ‘perfect job’ is obtained, but a transportation barrier exists (that results in call offs, or being late to work), there will likely be negative consequences that could have been prevented by formulating a plan (and backup plan). It stands to reason too, if the Job Seeker cannot get to the job… it’s not the perfect job.
Let’s look at two scenarios:
Carl –
His job search started by addressing the transportation plan; in efforts to know what the current plan was, or to develop a plan in the event there was no plan. I was told that Carl’s family will be transporting him to/from work and that the family was comfortable transporting Carl up to 10 miles (radius) from his home. This is important information, as Carl’s job search will be dictated by the transportation plan, meaning; the job search will include job opportunities within 10 miles of his home, as well as, his work hours/availability which was reported to be 8am-8pm, Sunday-Monday.
So, the search began with the above parameters in mind. After 2 months of job development, it was reported by the family that their ‘plan’ to assist as the ‘primary transportation plan’ was not realistic (though I had discussed this numerous times with both Carl and his family member). Since he lives in an area that has limited public transportation options, the next option was to seek employment within walking distance of his home. If living in the Midwest, you can expect long icy/snowy/rainy seasons which can include frigid weather in the winter months and can include high heat indexes in the summer months… limiting the time an individual can successfully and safely walk to work. I suggested that the backup plan, for when the weather was not suitable for walking to/from work, include ‘ride share’ (UBER/Lyft); both Carl and his family were not comfortable with this idea.
Ultimately, Carl’s first two months of job development was time spent looking for jobs that were no longer an option. Additionally, Carl’s stated employment goals/interests (type of work/tasks/responsibilities) were limited within walking distance of his home, and I would come to find out, that the jobs that are walking accessible… were not of interest to Carl.
James –
Again, the job search started the same, discussing the transportation plan. James’ family member had committed to driving him to/from work, within a 5-mile radius of their home and indicated that James has a PACE Para-Transit card (the backup plan). After two months of his job development, I met with both James and his family member, at which time I was told his family member cannot drive James to work (due to their work schedule) and that the family was not comfortable with him using Paratransit or ride share (due to safety concerns).
With this ‘new’ information, James’ job search changed to job opportunities in walking distance of his home. I already addressed the unpredictable weather in the Midwest, but at the time, no back up plan was agreed upon. Again, the first two months on James’ job search was undone by the loose transportation plan and due to the location of James’ home… there were minimal job opportunities accessible to James.
There is no right or wrong answer to a transportation plan, but there has to be a reliable plan that will assure the Job Seeker can get to/from work on time and as scheduled. In the above scenarios, both Job Seekers were going to have to depend on others to support them. Good news, both individuals have loving and supportive family that want to assist in the Job Seeker’s success, but perhaps unrealistic in their ability to deliver as a long-term transportation plan.
The concerns I have, having participated in job searches that have loose transportation plans, or that depend on others: if the family member is sick (and is not well enough to drive), is on vacation (is not available to drive), has car problem’s (and cannot drive) or numerous other valid reasons that can lead to the primary transportation plan failing… a backup plan is imperative.
Competitive community employment expects employees to be at work on time & when scheduled. I am an Advocate; advocating for Diversity & Inclusion in the workplace… Diversity & Inclusion… our communities expect it, I expect it, the Job Seeker’s I work with expect it. Employment is a big responsibility and should be treated as such… which starts with a (viable, reliable, realistic) primary and back-up transportation plan.
Disability Peer Advocates – Where preparation meets opportunity