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Show Provide handicapped ability to help themselves, councils Duncan ' i ill It is easier to help a disabled person succeed with a major disability and a good attitude than a person with a minor disability and a poor attitude, according to Gail B. Duncan, who ought to know. During his 27, going on 28 years with the State Rehabilitation Services, Duncan said he is convinced that "attitude is more important that aptitude" in the process of rehabilitation. "Disabled persons have asked i me, 'Is it wrong for me to want t what other guys have, to have a family, to have a good job?' And I just tell them," Duncan explains, ex-plains, "It's not if you think it's not." "The State Rehabilitation Services is designed to help the handicapped become employed in something consistent to their capacity," Cuncan said It is sometimes thought, Duncan said, that welfare is the only way out But if we are prepared and can help the disabled carry their own load, they will be a happy more fulfilled person. "It is a worthwhile philosophy," Duncan stated, "Most people still take pride in doing something for themselves instead of someone else doing it for them." Eligibility for services is based upon the personal situation of each individual who applies for services.. No disability group is excluded from eligibility. A person who has suffered a heart attack or other hospitalization may also be eligible, Duncan said. A person is eligible for consideration con-sideration and counseling if he or she is of employable age, has difficulty preparing for, finding and holding a job because of mental or physical impairment and if provided services has a "reasonable expectation of being able to work." Rehabilitation services offer programs in counseling and guidance, health restoration, such as a medical treatment or hospitalization to reduce a handicap, training, services to family members and job . placement A lot of disabled . persons don't need the program, Duncan said, because the han-. han-. dicap involved doesn't impair their job. . Referral of disabled to the service generally come through , physicians, schools and friends, ; Duncan said. Locally, Duncan said, Dennis Jones is responsible for counseling coun-seling in Iron County, Beaver and Kane Counties. Roland Mills is also responsible for one-half of Iron County, and Garfield County. Another field office is located in Washington County, with Jim Hilton as field officer. Richfield has two officers, Manti has one and Delta has one aid, Duncan said. The rehabilitation program is setting its priorities for the severely handicapped and those on assistance payment, in an attempt to keep the welfare rolls down, Duncan said. Duncan was cited in 1966 with an award naming him as National Rehabilitation Counselor. Coun-selor. He said there is a lot of satisfaction in seeing a disabled person prepare them selves to compete in the labor market IN CHARGE OF AREA. Gail B. Duncan points to map, showing the wide area he is in charge of. Duncan is the director of the Rehabilitation Services District in Central and Southwestern Utah. "If the person can do a job equal to or better than another person, they will come out on top," Duncan said. "Generally the handicapped person is trying a little harder, taking a few less breaks in order to succeed. It pays off for employers, too." Duncan said he has "never done anything for a handicapped person." He said the best help he can give ahandicapped person is to give them the ability to help themselves. "It is sometimes difficult for parents to remember that in children," he added. "But more handicapped are hurt by overindulgence and protec-tiveness." protec-tiveness." Duncan, and his wife, Audrey, are the parents of two and grandparents of four. He graduated from the Branch Agricultural College in Cedar and Utah State University and received his Masters degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. |