Working or Volunteering with a handicap! - RV-Dreams Community Forum

cooksgone · RV-Dreams Community Member

Working or Volunteering with a handicap!

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

I thiink you will find most places to volunteer is adaptable to people that are challenged. I have a fused knee (not bendable) and I have found they will make reasonable accomodations if the infirmity is explained up front. I have had no problem at State Parks or Corps of Engineers.

Again, explain any infirmity up front. If they cannot adapt they will explain the work is more strenous than you are able to perform.

-- Edited by 53 Merc on Sunday 27th of February 2011 08:23:30 AM

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

We're now facing a similar situation. Johnny may need to have his leg amputated just as we plan to hit the road fulltime. If it's not an amputation his ankle will be fused and limit his ability to walk long distances. He also has rhuematoid arthritis.

Our plan to deal with it is as 53 Merc said, explain the situation up front. He'll still be able to do many things, just not ones that require lots of walking over uneven terrain. I just turned 50 and am pretty fit. So it may be that I am the primary workkamper.

I'm pretty sure we will be able to work something out.

cooksgone · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thank you Ken, good advice, I have mentioned Craig's disability in our resumes and am up front about this. So hopefully we will get what we are looking for. We are enouraged by this and can't wait to find something by fall! biggrin

Thanks, Cooksgone!

cooksgone · RV-Dreams Community Member

Yep, I realize I am going to have to be the primary worker here and am upfront about it in our resume, but am very healthy and able to do just about anything, so hopefully this will be good enough. Such good advice and I wish the best for your husband, I will keep in contact and see how things are going, Viola the better half of Cooksgone! wink

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just wanted to mention that not all workamping jobs require both to work.

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

We've had a number of positions where fellow volunteers have been singles. As long and the hours they require can be provided there shouldn't be any problem. Also, at least in our experience with doing all government volunteering, none of the positions have been particularly physically challenging.

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

I forgot to mention that one state park had to "let a volunteer" go. Seemed he suffered from terminalklutz syndrome. They couldn't afford the repair bills.

cooksgone · RV-Dreams Community Member

That is good to know and since most require about 24 hrs or less, I am sure I can do most myself while he can do the less physical part! Thank you

cooksgone · RV-Dreams Community Member

This is all so encouraging and so helpful, I may go in a change our resume and put me as the main worker. Hopefully we never get let go because of kluzamania, lol! Thank you all so much, I feel there is hope for us yet! aww

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Viola, I would not put too much emphasis or reliance on the resume. Most often the hiring entity depends on one of two things. Minimal effort on their part and some kind of personal contact.

First, call any place you are interested in. A telephone call will establish your willingness to work and will set up a rapport with the entity. This saves them the trouble of fishing through a bunch of resumes to find someone who had not "overstated" their qualifications.

Second, if for volunteering, go to any state website, find the state parks site and fill out the volunteer application, then call the contact listed for the parks you wish to be considered for. Tell them you have filled out the application and submitted it on such and such date. Tell them you would really like to have an opportunity at their facility and see how it goes.

Third, go to www.volunteer.gov/gov and start looking at the states you are interested in. This site lists NFS, COE, BLM and other fed agencies. Read the offerings very carefully and see what fits.

There are many opportunities out there, you need to go after them as if you were looking for a job. Again, don't depend on the resume too much, personal contact works much better.

I know of one couple that was traveling, stopped at an RV Park and while checking in just casually asked about work opportunities. They were hired on the spot. Took them 5 months to leave.