American Indians with Disabilities Benefit from ED Grant
American Indians with Disabilities Benefit from ED Grant
Charles Sleeper knows firsthand that one federal grant can change lives. Before becoming a counselor for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, he was a recipient of the services offered as a result of the “Vocational Rehabilitation Service Projects for American Indians with Disabilities” grant from ED. “This program changed my life by making me see that I could go beyond my disability and be better than anyone who might mock me,” he said.
As a counselor, Sleeper saw many people who wanted to work, but who needed help and direction along with skills training. “Sometimes there is so much against them, Indians with disabilities just give up,” according to Sleeper. In working to address stereotypes and challenges, Sleeper said, “Some say that Indians don’t want to work, but we can see beyond that.”
In Oklahoma, nine tribes received federal Vocational Rehabilitation grants to help target specific needs in their communities. Currently, the community receives $412,000 a year with a 10 percent tribal match to cover 11 counties which are able to serve about 50 tribal members with disabilities. “The program provides assessment, counseling, tuition, college expenses, training and job placement, but the most valuable outcomes are building relationships of trust and instilling a sense of confidence, responsibility and self-sufficiency,” according to Sleeper. “It is part of our cultural tradition to be self sufficient,” he said. “We help people realize that they are in charge of their own destiny; no one else is.”
Through partnerships with other tribes, local colleges and the community, individual plans for employment are developed, and participants work jointly with the counselor until they reach their employment outcome. “Even after that, people come back to check in and let us know how they are doing,” said Sleeper. Drug and alcohol counseling is also provided when needed. “Sometimes people have a fear of success because others have put them down for so long. That’s when communication and trust become so important. It’s not just the physical and material needs we have to address for Indian people; we must address the whole person, as well,” Sleeper said.
http://www.ed.gov/blog/2012/01/american-indians-with-disabilities-benefit-from-ed-grant/
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