Adult Client Option #5

If you have been reading the "Dale Roy Story" over the past four months or just starting today, it is time for a review. The first chapter was an overview of the array of programs and services offered by the Ashland County Board of MRDD. Chapter Two introduced the reader to how a newborn or infant and the parents become emerged in the world of special needs and disabilities through the Early Intervention Program. When reaching the age of three, Chapter Three explained the opportunities and design of the Pre-School Program. Just last month and in time for the graduation season, Chapter Four revealed the surprising depth, intricacies, and options available within the School Age Program.

We have now reached the point where an Ashland County special needs person now moves into the adult stages and activities of his/her life. What about employment? Where do I live? How and where do I socialize? Can I drive a car? These are just a few of the infinite number of questions that can lead to opportunities for our disabled residents.

Upon leaving the School Age Program the immediate interest of many of the individuals is to obtain meaningful and productive work. This goal can be met through self-employment, group work, Community Employment Programs, and the opportunities provided by D-R Services. The direction a person takes is usually determined by abilities, interests, and level of provided adult support.

D-R Services is a branch of the Ashland County Board of MRDD that has provided employment opportunities for adult clients for over forty years. Perhaps more commonly known as the Workshop or Annex, this facility is located on Clark Street in Ashland and employs managers, workshop specialists, and nursing personnel who provide work experiences for over one hundred disabled residents. The jobs successfully completed by the clients vary from packaging, sorting, assembly, and labeling to document shredding and shrink wrapping. Going Green is not new to D-R Services as they have also been involved in the recycling of shredded documents and other materials for several years.

D-R Services, which some of you may know as the "Workshop", provides employment and training opportunities for adults both at the Clark Street location and within various businesses in Ashland County. This program is governed by a 10 member, volunteer D-R Services Non-Profit Board.

The production at Clark Street is an asset and supplement to the Ashland County businesses and industries that contract with D-R Services. Often the workshop is utilized by companies during their peak production times and/or to provide vacation coverage. Contrary to common perception the employees often make more than minimum wage. Their hourly rate is determined by an initial production study which is then calculated with average prevailing wages for similar type skills. To provide motivation and fair accurate compensation the client's final pay is based on piece-rate, which is the number of times a task or product is successfully completed. Surprising to many, the D-R Service employee does not get paid if the job or task is not completed according to acceptable standards. Imagine that approach in today's general work population!

In this chapter of the "Dale Roy Story" the major newsflash is not that disabled individuals work and receive compensation. What is monumental is the pride, joy, and dignity that the clients experience from their employment. The self-dignity from work, receiving a paycheck, learning new skills, and meaningful time with friends and staff is, as the TV commercial says, priceless. Words can not explain the look on the faces of the clients on payday. The dollars earned supplement Social Security Income which most of the clients receive. D-R Services is based on the fundamental principle of disabled individuals contributing to their community within their community, so if necessary, work teams can go to the job site and training is provided by the staff. Some individual clients also work at outside jobs to gain more income. Absenteeism is not a problem and closings due to inclement weather are met with disappointment.

Due to abilities, physical factors, and the need for greater staff support, some adult clients receive Adult Day Habilitation services at the Dale Roy School location. Included in the menu for this program are peer interaction, socialization, self-help skills, communication development, decision-making, and improving cognitive abilities. Exhibiting the life-long theme of the Ashland County Board of MRDD, our retired disabled clients also are enrolled in the Adult Day Habilitation program, some of whom worked at D-R Services or at other locations.

It is obvious that once again Ashland County residents and businesses have a dynamic, caring, productive relationship with disabled individuals. D-R Services and the Adult Day Habilitation Program are two additional facets of the Ashland County Board of MRDD that foster this relationship. If you are interested in learning more about D-R Services or can use their help please call 419-281-6651.

In the "Dale Roy Story" we have now reached the point of disabled adults with meaningful employment. No doubt a significant part of anyone's life. But, what about where to live? Entertainment options? Transportation? There is much more to talk about. Next month another chapter in the "Dale Roy Story."