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1000.7 TANF MANUAL 12/22 PAGE 21

1000.7 VIEW PARTICIPANTS WITH DISABILITIES

Some VIEW participants have disabilities, including temporary medical conditions, or are caring for family household members with disabilities, that may affect program participation. Disabilities may be identified during the application process when the client is given the “Do You Have a Disability” form, or later as a result of VIEW screening or evaluation. When the ESW has documentation of a verified disability and the effect of the disability on program participation, accommodations can be put in place so that the participant is not denied the opportunities available through VIEW. Having a disability does not mean that an individual cannot successfully participate in VIEW activities and move toward self-sufficiency.

The Medical Evaluation Form (032-03-1040) will be used to determine if a client referred to VIEW should be made exempt or when the client’s ability to work or participate in the program is unclear. See Chapter 901.2.C for specific guidelines regarding medical evaluations.

Accommodations may include, but are not limited to: part-time or flexible hours for work activities, providing the individual with work activities in a specific work environment that enables the individual to participate in work activities, providing particular types of jobs or work activities that are consistent with the person’s limitations, activities that are scheduled so they do not conflict with ongoing medical or mental health treatment, additional notice of program appointments, additional explanation of program rules, job coaches, additional time to complete program requirements, and additional intervention before an individual is sanctioned for non-compliance with VIEW program requirements.

See the Job Accommodation Network site for an extensive list of accommodations by disability https://askjan.org/.

Some individuals are caring for family household members with a disability, and can only participate part- time, during particular hours, or on a flexible schedule. When an individual has such a limitation, the employment services worker must find work activities for the individual that do not conflict with the individual’s care-taking responsibilities. The Statement of Required Presence of Caregiver form (032-03- 0020) will be used to verify the family member’s condition, as well as the necessity for care that limits the individual’s availability for work.

Some individuals have disabilities that limit when they can carry out work activities. For example, some individuals have appointments for medical or mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, or rehabilitation services such as physical therapy. When an individual has such appointments, the employment services worker will coordinate program assignments with the verified treatment-related appointments.

Examples: Ms. A lost her job because she frequently gave customers the wrong amount of change. It is determined that she has a learning disability that makes such transactions very difficult. The worker may arrange for training that will teach Ms. A techniques that will allow her to make accurate change despite her disability. Alternately, the worker might assist Ms. A in identifying suitable jobs that do not require this skill.

Ms. B is caring for a child with a disability and keeps losing her job because she is frequently called away from work by the child’s school to deal with health-related emergencies. The worker helps Ms. B locate employment that allows the flexibility she needs.

Ms. C frequently leaves TANF due to employment, but just as frequently reapplies after losing her job. It is determined that a mental impairment prevents her from handling many work situations. The worker helps Ms. C find employment with fewer challenges and provides intensive job follow-up to help Ms. C work through any problems before they result in job loss.

Transmittal 76