Discovery also known as “Discovering Personal Genius”, replaces traditional comparative/competitive assessments and other norm-referenced vocational evaluations or psychometric approaches.
The Discovery Program is a great opportunity for an individual who has been in the system for several years and has not yet been successful in the process of obtaining competitive employment. This program takes the time to really see beyond the disability and get a deeper perspective into a person’s potential, their limitations and their natural supports so as to identify viable employment outcomes.
Individuals with developmental disabilities face significant challenges when it comes to the accuracy and usefulness of typical evaluations and assessments. Some evaluations may be standardized checklists. Others are “situational assessments” where situations are usually pre-set and not related to the individual’s strengths and interests. Often, evaluation professionals have a limited time within which to get to know a person and determine whether or not a person is able to work. These evaluations usually do not answer the question, “Who is this individual?”
Discovery begins in the home and identifies resources, supports and potential skills through a series of planned activities, interviews and explorations. Discovery identifies crucial information for a vocational profile that includes evidence concerning the individual’s Vocational Themes and ideal conditions of employment. Discovery is a person-centered planning process that involves getting to know a person before supporting them in developing a plan for employment. During the program we gather information about an individual’s interests, skills, activities and optimal environments. When are they at their best? The information gathered is incorporated into a Vocational Profile. The profile is a tool that can be used for: Individual Education Plans (IEP) and Individual Plans for Employment (IPE) planning, organizing a customized employment experience, paid employment, and life activities and experiences. Newly discovered interests and skills are often revealed during the program. Even family members are surprised when an individual’s work interest is discovered in an area previously not considered.
