Milford chronicle., 1957-10-04

of Eds case, the original panel
member responsible for his place.
ment made a new search for OPP
portunities within his company.
Soon Ed was on a different job,
performing his clerical duties so
well that, in the words of his su-
pe.yisor, This company is lucky
to have Ed Lewis as an employees" F"
Committee members feel that the
provision for a second look is
the really significant aid that this
kind of auxiliary body can give to
Federal and State offices which
have the full-time responsibility
for helping handicapped jobseek-
ers. Beyond the first assistance of
locating jobs normally difficult to
find, the Advisory Committee helps
TO make sure these employees
STAY employed, and at jobs to
which they can make real con-
tribution while they earn the good
wages they and their families
sOrely need.
1t was the desire for a stronger
program of cooperation with gov
ernment employment services, and
for a more continuous and careful
supervision of handicapped en-
ployees' adjustments to the jobs,
that led to the formation of the
Della ware Employers Advisory
Committee in October 1854. Under
the leadership of Mason T. Turner,
then Chairman of the Governors
Committee for Employment of the
Physically Handicapped, the new
committee was made up of about
As employers from various indus
tries throughout the State. Draw
ing in part on the experience of
local committees in neighboring
Pennsylvania, the Chairman of the
Governors Committee coordinates
the activities of this committee to
maintain liaison with the Delaware
State Employment Service, and to
head rotating panels of five or six
personnel specialists delegated by
participating employers.
The panel usually meets once
a month in space provided by the
Chairman Executive Director of
the Unemployment Compensation
Commission at the CommissiOn's
combined central office in Will
mington. An average of five appli-
cants are interviewed at each SEES
sion.
Prior to the meeting, a resume
Of each applicants work history,
age, education, physical condition,
and abilities is prepared by the
Employment Service and sent to
panel members selected for the
current month by the chairman.
Before each interview begins, the
individuals resume is reviewed by
Edward A. Mulrooney of the en-
rloyment security office and Sec
retary of the Governors Commit
tee. He gives any further explana-
tions that the panel may request.
During the interview itself, the
applicant is told that the panel
members are not there to offer him
immediate employment, but to
learn just how the Committee may
be able to help him locate work in
the future. He is encouraged to
talk about the kinds of work he
could best perform and to define
the limits which his handicap may
place upon his employment.
After each interview is COM
pleted, panel members discuss
among themselves possible ways
in which employment may be
found to fit the applicants needs.
When the meeting is over, copies
of each applicants resume are sent
to all members of the Governors
and the Advisory Committees.
As result of the interviews
conducted by the panel, several
possible avenues of employment
may be opened. Occasionally. a.
panel member may know of a pres
ent or potential opening in his own
company. Or, because his service
on the Committee has increased
his sensitivity to the problems Of
the handicapped, he may think of
potential jobs in some of the many
small businesses not represented
on the Committee and begin a
canvass of merchants or other
businessmen he knows personally.
Several jobs have stemmed from
casual conversations, overheard
remarks, and tactful buttonholing
of fellow church or club members.
The circulation of resumes may
also result in job offers, some
times many months alter the in
terview. Here again. the special