Who are you? The evolving role of Job Supporter - Part 1 with Milton Tyree

In this episode, Milton Tyree challenges us to rethink the fundamental question: "Who are you?" when we show up in workplaces as job supporters, and how our answer to that question can make or break employment success for people with intellectual disability.

Drawing on Social Role Valorisation (SRV) theory, Milton unpacks the delicate balance between being an employee and being a client, and why getting this balance wrong can inadvertently sabotage the very people we're trying to help. Through real stories from his decades in the field, he reveals how well-meaning support can create a "flying wedge" effect that pushes coworkers away and reinforces the client role over the employee role.

This session introduces Mark Gold & Associates' seven-phase sequence for job support, starting with understanding the "ways of the company" - from learning the tasks to discovering the unwritten rules about who brings the doughnuts. You'll discover why the very first day of work is absolutely critical, and how the principle of "once funky, always funky" can guide supporters to start with what's typical and valued rather than immediately jumping to specialised approaches.

Whether you're a family member advocating for meaningful work, a job supporter refining your practice, or a disability employment professional seeking to enhance outcomes, this presentation will challenge your assumptions and provide practical frameworks for ensuring that the people you support are seen first and foremost as valued employees, not perpetual clients.

You can watch Milton’s presentation on our website.

The presentation transcription is also on our website.

On our website, you’ll find:

• all the presentations from our Opening Opportunities conference in 2023
• many other resources about helping a person with disability find meaningful employment
• events related to employment and other topics relevant to people with disabilities seeking to enjoy a typical life.

Many thanks to Osher Marks, who is the voice of this season of the Imagine More podcast.