Finding the right Personal Assistant

Issue title: Personal Assistance Services in the Workplace

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Turner, Ed

Affiliations: Virginia Commonwealth University, Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, 1314 West Main St., PO Box 842011, Richmond, VA 23284, USA. Tel.: +1 804 828 1851; Fax: +1 804 828 2193; E-mail:eturner@saturn.vcu.edu

Abstract: A thorough self-assessment by the employee with a disability is critical to determining the level of need for workplace Personal Assistance Services (PAS). This paper describes why the self-assessment process should be employee-driven and how the self-assessment can assist the individual to select the Personal Assistant (PA) most qualified to meet his/her needs on the job. Although the process needs to be employee-driven, the author strongly advises employees to consult with rehabilitation professionals when appropriate to see that all support needs are addressed in the self-assessment. Finally, two sample tools are presented that can be used in the self-assessment process and in the recruitment of a qualified workplace PA.

Keywords: personal assistance in the workplace, self-assessment in selecting a workplace Personal Assistant

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 87-91, 2003