Volunteering to change your career
About two years ago I read an article in the Herald about Haven Products and how at that time they employed disabled people and helped them improve their skills or qualifications through cooperation with Lead Scotland. Since I was unemployed at the time and looking for some occupation that would maintain my skills of self organistaion and would probably involve using my computer skills I approached Lead.
In going through the Lead and ITALL courses, before being let loose with a learner, I also decided that I would take on the training to become a driving instructor. During the early stages of driving instructor training it occurred to me that many disabled people are quite capable of driving a suitably adapted car and that gaining experience of working with disabled people through Lead would indicate whether I had the temperament for such a future combination.
I completed the Lead Scotland and introductory ITALL courses and went on to work with two learners. Just recently I qualified as a driving instructor, technically known as an ADI, and have taken on that work full time. Unfortunately I no longer have time to be a Lead volunteer but am looking forward to using that experience with my first disabled learner driver.