Glossary I-J

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Impacted Bowel - "impacted" means wedged in or stuck. An impacted bowel is a bowel plugged with putty-like, hardened feces. It is relieved by taking "stool softener" drugs or running water into the bowel (irrigation).

Independent Living Specialist - A person working at an Independent Living Center.

Independent Living Center - a nonprofit agency supporting people with disabilities to help them live on their own. ILCs are run by people with disabilities, and are not places to live, just places to help you live on your own. ILC's commonly organize support groups, provide transportation, and help train people in daily living skills. See the Rehab Act's definition. (Title VII, sec. 702,1)

Independent Living Services - Services supplied to individuals with disabilities to help them live in their community and participate in community activities. These services can include counseling, mobility training, adaptive equipment, personal assistance, housing information, transportation, community awareness programs, and other appropriate supports. See the Rehab Act's definition (sec 7, 30).

Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP) -

Informational Interview - An interview with someone in a particular kind of job so you can learn about that job. For instance, if you are thinking about being an architect, you would interview an architect to find out what it is like.

Integrated Job Setting - a job in which a person with a disability is working with and interacting with a majority of people without disabilities.

Internet/e-mail - The Internet is a world wide system of linked computers. Individuals with an account on one of these computers (servers) can access many kinds of information in accounts on the other computers in the system. In addition, messages and information can be sent between accounts using "electronic mail" or "e-mail".

Intubated - Literally, to have a tube stuck in you. Usually, it means a tube in your nose or throat to help you breath (also see trach tube). The tube is hooked to a ventilator, which will force air through the tube. In an emergency situation, a person may stop breathing because pressure in the brain or injuries to the brain stop the breathing reflex.

IWRP - Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (also called an Employment Plan) Created by the VR counselor and the person with a disability, the IWRP is an outline or plan of action for getting the person a meaningful job. It spells out the "employment objective" (job goals) of the person, intermediate goals for reaching that objective, specific VR services needed (including any technology or job supports), and an expected time line for achieving the goals. The Rehab Act requires that all vocational rehabilitation services start with an IWRP. The IWRP must also include a statement of the person's rights and be in a language or format they can understand. See the Rehab Act's discussion. (Title 1, sec 102, b, 1 B)

Job Coach - an on-site coach to help a person with a severe disability initially learn and perform a job. A job coach may also help a person adjust to new behavior (for them) expected on the job: responsibility, communication, respect for one's boss and co-workers, reliability, etc. Unlike a Trainer, a job coach works after a person has a job (a style called "place and train") rather than pre-employment (called "job readiness"). The help of a job coach is intensive and can be available all day if needed. However, job coach support is usually temporary and is gradually reduced as the person learns their task.

Job Club - a group of people who meet while they look for jobs, usually at a community rehabilitation center. The people in a job club will read want ads, make phone calls, write resumes, and try to set up interviews. Someone from the rehabilitation center will be the leader of the job club in case people need help.

Job Readiness - A person is called "job ready" if, with their skills, motivation, health, and other things they are likely to find, keep, and enjoy a job. There is no test of job readiness other than talking to the person about it and trying the person out in a job

Job Service - Part of a state government's unemployment program. A job service (or employment service) program lists job openings and their requirements. It will also help people apply for, and interview for, those jobs.

 Job Supports - Any help needed by a person with a disability so they can stay employed. It can include help from other people, specialized equipment, modification of the job, or anything else.