Individualized Support

Throughout my vast experiences, I've had the opportunity to work with individuals formally through employment opportunities, and through volunteer-based supports. I've worked with disabled peers through mentorship, college and career support, developing social skills, planning independent living goals, and budget/money management techniques and skills. 

Being able to provide this kind of individualized support with knowledge, direct experiences, and frameworks of disability, builds strong relationships and trust which creates empowering and effective sessions of support. I believe these supports are give and take; Individuals learn from me just as much as I learn from them. Learning from them is how I strengthen my knowledge-base and continue adding new ideas and methods to my tool-box. 

My Experiences Providing Individualized Support: 

Tailored Services Instructor for IGNITE Collective Inc. 

• Provided bilingual academic support and tutoring to a student with intellectual disabilities wishing to obtain her Child Development Certificate at West Los Angeles Community College

• Instructed a college student with developmental disabilities on time-management strategies through methods appropriate for individuals with ADHD and anxiety.  

• Supported disabled students individually through job interview preparations using plain language, resume and cover letter support, and asking for references. 

• Guided students with intellectual and developmental disabilities through social skills by scaffolding them through building friendships, romantic relationships, and setting boundaries with the various professionals in their lives. 

Outside of employment, I supported disabled peers with: 

• Money-management strategies with goals of living independently. Created a budget factoring the higher expenses that come with having physical disabilities such as mobility aids, accessible transportation, social security benefits, etc. '

•  College and Career readiness with the goals of being admitted into a four-year university after high school. 

  • Supported student with college application processes such as personal statement editing and applying for financial aid.  

  • Exploring majors, certificates and career options relevant to the student's goals and interests

  • Discussed and researched student jobs and internships

  • Guided the student through knowing how to obtain accommodations and support through the Disability Services Office

• Introducing disability identity and culture to individuals struggling with internalized ableism.

  • Helped reframe disability as another way of being

  • Provided education on ableism and how society was built to favor able-bodied lives and experiences

  • Challenged deficit-based perceptions of disability using examples from stories, experiences, or scenarios they have informed me of. 

I am open to discussing other ways I can support disabled individuals beyond what is listed here. Please read my About Me tab to read my philosophy of disability and boundaries around what I cannot work with.