CESP - Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP)

The best response the employment support professional (ESP) can offer to relieve the employer’s concern is to assure them that they can provide assistance and guidance to the employee’s co-workers if there are any issues or challenges related to working with a person with disabilities. This response shows that the ESP is committed to supporting the employee’s successful integration and inclusion in the workplace, and that they are willing to address any potential problems that may arise from negative or inaccurate attitudes toward the employee with disabilities. The ESP can also offer to provide information, education, or training to the co-workers to help them understand the employee’s disability, strengths, and needs, and to foster positive and respectful interactions. This response is consistent with the evidence-basedpractices and principles of supported employment, which emphasize the role of the ESP as a facilitator and a resource for both the employee and the employer

The LEAST appropriate FIRST step is to help her get a small business loan. This would be premature and risky, as it would involve committing to a financial obligation without having a clear and realistic business plan. It would also bypass the important steps of assessing her strengths, interests, needs, and goals, as well as researching the market and the feasibility of her business idea. The other options are more appropriate and helpful because:

• A. Visiting local businesses would help her to learn from other entrepreneurs, network with potential partners or customers, and identify the opportunities and challenges of running a business in her community.
• B. Determining her prior work experience would help her to evaluate her skills, knowledge, and abilities, as well as her areas of improvement and development. It would also help her to showcase her qualifications and achievements to potential investors or lenders.
• C. Learning why she wants to start her own business would help her to clarify her vision, mission, and values, as well as her motivation and passion. It would also help her to set realistic and attainable goals and objectives for her business. References:
• CESP Candidate Handbook, page 12, Domain 2: Individualized Employment and Career Planning, Task 2.20: Self-employment resources for job seeker, Knowledge of 2.20.1: Self-employment options and resources
• CESP Practice Exam, question 5, answer C: The job seeker’s strengths, interests, needs and conditions for employment.

The MOST appropriate way to proceed in this situation is to reframe the employer’s question from diagnosis to reasonable accommodations in the workplace. This is because it respects the job seeker’s right to privacy and self-determination, while also addressing the employer’s concerns about the job performance and productivity. It also helps to focus on the job seeker’s abilities and skills, rather than the disability label or symptoms. By reframing the question, the employment support professional can also educate the employer on the benefits of hiring people with disabilities, such as diversity, loyalty, and innovation. Furthermore, it can also open up a dialogue about the available resources and supports for both the employer and the employee, such as tax credits, assistive technology, or job coaching. References:

• APSE CESP Practice Exam, Question 2
• APSE CESP Exam Content Outline, Domain 3, Task 3.4
• APSE CESP Code of Conduct, Principle 1, Section 1.2
• APSE CESP Handbook, Page 13, Section 4.2.2