Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
Doreen Reid (right), a blind counsellor, talking with children at the Maxfield Park Children's Home.
Avia Collinder, Sunday Gleaner Writer
One year ago, Doreen Reid was desperate for a job. The graduate of the University of the West Indies (UWI), who is visually impaired, had been trying unsuccessfully for years to gain employment in guidance and counselling or social work.
One year ago, in a story published in The Sunday Gleaner, Reid told a tale of disappointment in a last-ditch effort to get help. In an article titled 'No jobs in sight for the blind', she pleaded, "I am visually impaired and I am desperately in need ... I badly need a job - anything in counselling or social work."
Duties
It was that story which changed her life. Last Wednesday, Reid was busily preparing for career day at the Maxfield Park Children's Home where she was placed to work by the Ministry of Education in September 2007.
Placement officers at the guidance centre of the ministry, in response to the article, called her in for an interview. The home manager at Maxfield Park accepted the counsellor and she started work when the new school year began.
At the children's home, Doreen is one of two guidance counsellors - one male and one female - who care for the mental health of more than 100 children up to age 18.
"I am here to motivate the children. My duties include individual counselling, group counselling, planning events and having meetings where necessary," she tells The Sunday Gleaner.
Jobs still difficult
While Doreen's story has a happy ending, for the wider disabled population, finding jobs is still difficult.
Gloria Goffe, coordinator of the Combined Disabilities Association, says nothing had changed for the majority of those who are disabled and unemployed.
"An emerging problem is that of employers sending home people because they become disabled. People are just declared medically unfit without anyone considering retraining and redeployment," Goffe states.
"It's still difficult," she adds "for persons with disabilities to gain employment. We are still fighting a very hard battle. It's easy to say two or three persons who are qualified got jobs last year, but for most, it's still hard."
Goffe pointed out the Ministry of Social Security was developing a database of the disabled and unemployed as a first step to helping them secure employment.
"Data collection has been happening, but employment is yet to begin," she discloses.
At the Maxfield Park Children's Home, Doreen Reid is making a big impact.
Carla Edie, administrator at the home, comments: "I never had any problem when the ministry said she would be coming.
"Our children confide in her. She is no different from the other persons here and we treat her no different from anyone else. She works well with the other guidance counsellor.
"Sometimes the way she speaks, you think she can see. One day, she said to me that the office looked boring. It needed bright curtains. She was right. She is functioning well, she keeps her records and submits monthly reports."
Reid, who completed a bachelor's degree in social work in 2005 and waited two years for a job, is currently engaged in assisting her charges in making career choices.
Sponsorship needed
"After they reach age 18, they must leave the home. We want to help them to be equipped for the world of work," she tells The Sunday Gleaner.
Moe than 20 companies from the public and private sectors, universities and colleges volunteered to participate in Maxfield Park's career day on Friday last.
Reid says: "We have also been asking individuals out there to come on-board and sponsor students for career development. Even a scholarship for one child would be good.
"Our students leave here with subjects. They need help to realise their dreams. Others have a skill such as hairdressing and can be immediately employed."
