I object to the proposed waiver services section 12 VAC 30-120 due to this will allow untrained professionals to come in and work with any disabled person wether they have a disability of a physical handicapp, mental illness, or substance abuse. As a person with a mental health degree I find it very useful in the field to determine problems on the job to be part of the persons disability due to being mentally ill or an actuall problem on the job site. An untrained person would not be able to detect the differences and may cause injury to the mentally ill person and/or loose the persons employment. I also oppose this waiver due to an untrainied person would not have the knowledge to handle the medical aspects of a disabled person on the jobsite. If a disabled person was to have a seizure and a untrained person was on the jobsite the disabled person may again become injured or if the seizure is severe enough death. The training I have recieved helped me to be able to respond more accurately to any jobsite conflict that may arise. Also through the training I have recieved I learned about certain accomadations needed to potential worksites. An untrained person would not have this knowledge and would again possibly cause injury to the disabled person or loss of employment. One final point an untrained person would not have the knowledge how to take care of certain issues on the job such as sexual harrassment or abuse by a family member or an employer. This would be like going to a regular medical doctor only to find out he only had a G.E.D.! The disabled have the right and have deserve a trained person to help them and support them with employment.

lhanes@goodwillvalleys.com