Inclusion advocate Ben How credits vocational services and assistive technology for helping him pursue school and work

Ben How, an inclusion advocate who interns at UCP of Eastern Connecticut, told the meeting he broke his neck at 20 and credited vocational rehabilitation services and assistive technology with helping him continue his education and find employment. "My name is Ben How and I'm an inclusion advocate," he said.

How said UCP of Eastern Connecticut, a nonprofit, relies on donations and grants. As an intern he described writing a grant letter on his own and said the most rewarding part of his work is helping people with day-to-day challenges. He said those opportunities have given him "self fulfillment" and a way to give back to the community that helped him after his injury.

How described how he connected with rehabilitation services after moving back to Connecticut. He said a counselor at VRS encouraged him to return to school: "Well, your odds are going to be much better if you go back to school." He told the meeting he followed that advice and now has one internship class left before completing a bachelor's degree in mental health and human services.

He credited UCP with practical job supports, saying staff helped rebuild his resume, provided job coaching and helped set up an interview that led to an employment opportunity. "They helped with rebuilding my resume. They helped with job coaching. They helped, you know, get me this first interview," he said.

How gave a detailed description of the assistive technology he uses to operate a computer. He said a small round sticker on his prescription glasses works with a sensor that plugs into his laptop's USB port; the sensor detects metallic movement and lets him move the on-screen pointer by moving his head. He also described using software he called "soft type," an on-screen augmentative keyboard that allows him to select keys by hovering the pointer. "With this sticker, the sensor picks up on anything metallic that allows me just by moving my head like this to move the mouse around on the screen," he said. He added that after practice the setup "allows me to use the computer fully."

How closed by encouraging others to seek help from vocational services. "I would say absolutely do not doubt yourself," he said. "With the help of VRS, they'll guide you right along the way to move at your pace and they'll be able to definitely connect you with something that will work for you." How said he will finish his degree after one more internship class.

He spoke as a public commenter describing personal experience with nonprofit supports and state vocational services; no formal action or vote followed his remarks.