Easterseals' WorkFirst Employment Services Hosts International Visitors from Australia and Taiwan
Easterseals (ESSC) WorkFirst Employment Services VP Debbie Ball hosted two international visitors for tailored learning sessions at the end of August, each customized for a unique cross-cultural learning experience. Both sessions focused on the principals and application of Customized Employment – an individualized, person-centered approach to employment – and how ESSC makes this approach to employment a reality for the people we serve.
ESSC was proud to host Chenping Lin from Taiwan and Peter Smith from Australia.
Easterseals Vocational Specialist Terri Hout (L) with Chenping Lin (R).
Chenping holds a doctorate in rehabilitation psychology and is an Assistant Professor at the National Kaohsiung Normal University's Graduate Institute of Counseling in Taiwan. Peter is Director of the Centre for Disability Employment Research and Practice and is a Psychology & Rehabilitation Counseling and Research Fellow at Deakin University in Melbourne.
At her university, Chenping's instruction and expertise focuses on vocational rehabilitation, psychosocial adaptation for individuals with disabilities, career development and transition for individuals with disabilities.
Chenping visited with ESSC staff and job seekers, observed a family meeting, conducted an informational interview and learned about documentation. She said ESSC's WorkFirst team has a "clear passion" that is obvious in everything they do.
Peter Smith (L) with Employment Services VP Debbie Ball (R).
Peter is currently working on his Ph.D. thesis examining the current systems of employment supports for individuals with a disability. The expectation that the research will provide evidence towards the development of new systems that deliver better employment outcomes. He originally set out to learn more about ESSC's accountability and accommodation practices, and left with a profound appreciation for ESSC's Customized Employment philosophy and practices.
"Easterseals is a great example is how a customized employment program that has fidelity is utilized to benefit the client," Peter said. "A great example of evidence-based, person-centered employment practice!"
