I have been trying for over a year now to get help from the state department of Vocational Rehabilitation in finding a part time job that I can handle. Part of the process is providing aid in installing home improvements and equipment in a replacement vehicle that I will need for transportation to and from work. The State's rules require that said vehicle be no older than 2 years and have no more than 25,000 miles on the odometer. (I would be happy with an older vehicle as long as it is in good mechanical order.) Before the agency will initiate a job search on my behalf the home improvements need to be in place and the vehicle in my possession. Finally, a couple of weeks ago it appeared that the ball was finally rolling and I would have the job very soon. But alas, catch 22 popped up. Because the total cost of the project exceeds $50,000 the whole thing needs to be reviewed and approved at the state headquarters before proceeding. The law has been on the books for at least a couple of decades now and the cost of vehicles and the equipment needed for a disabled person (in a wheelchair) to get in and out and drive said vehicle has skyrocketed. The counsellor in the local office is unsure about the fate of my case now. Without the vehicle they won't help me obtain a job. Also, the law states that once a case has been initiated no more than 90 days can pass before placement, but as far as I can tell there is no penalty to the state for not beating the deadline. Thats government for you.

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

I have been trying for over a year now to get help from the state department of Vocational Rehabilitation in finding a part time job that I can handle. Part of the process is providing aid in installing home improvements and equipment in a replacement vehicle that I will need for transportation to and from work. The State's rules require that said vehicle be no older than 2 years and have no more than 25,000 miles on the odometer. (I would be happy with an older vehicle as long as it is in good mechanical order.) Before the agency will initiate a job search on my behalf the home improvements need to be in place and the vehicle in my possession. Finally, a couple of weeks ago it appeared that the ball was finally rolling and I would have the job very soon. But alas, catch 22 popped up. Because the total cost of the project exceeds $50,000 the whole thing needs to be reviewed and approved at the state headquarters before proceeding. The law has been on the books for at least a couple of decades now and the cost of vehicles and the equipment needed for a disabled person (in a wheelchair) to get in and out and drive said vehicle has skyrocketed. The counsellor in the local office is unsure about the fate of my case now. Without the vehicle they won't help me obtain a job. Also, the law states that once a case has been initiated no more than 90 days can pass before placement, but as far as I can tell there is no penalty to the state for not beating the deadline. Thats government for you.

It sounds like a call to your local elected state legislator would be in order to try and get the law updated, if you have not done that already, good luck.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

Well, I got notification on Monday that the officials in Tallahassee have approved my case and the ball is now rolling toward the purchase of a modified van to enable safe transportation. After acquisition of the van the employment agency will proceed to help me locate a suitable part time job. So, hopefully, I won't have to continue as a substitute teacher in the local school system.

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

Try to get ahold of the local Rotary Club or any other public service organization. There are funds to be tapped. Locally I sit on a board that just handed our $1.2 million this last weekend. I can only give to causes in the 3 local counties. But It's a worldwide fund with several billion in it. Your local club can tap into it.

I'm so happy for you! :-)

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Congrats! Glad to hear the news.

Better news. I take delivery on my 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan this coming Friday, Aug 2, and the contractor has contacted me regarding the improvements to my mobile home. So bt Sept. 1 I should be good to go.

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

Yea!!!!

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I'm so happy to read that things worked out for you. I hope you enjoy your new job!

I now have my Dodge Grand Caravan and there is $21K less in my bank account, but the state just spent $38K helping me get reliable transportation. Next week the job search begins in earnest. Hopefully by the middle of August I'll have a part time job so I'll be able to afford to take my new wheels wherever I want to go. Although it will probably be a while until I can get some time off. This will take some getting used to as I have spent the last ten years with no schedules to speak of. But I'd rather be working than sitting around the house all the time due to lack of funds to travel.

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.