You chose:

"Jennifer, sounds as if you really want to do a good job. That’s great! Can you tell me more about the problem that you are having and what new equipment you think you need? Why don't you get in touch with your Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) counselor. He should know about your rights under the ADA (The Americans with Disabilities Act)and about funding. Also maybe you could try looking up some information on the ADA and other funding sources on the web yourself. Try checking: http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/ada18.htm (information about your rights as an employee with a disability)."

This is the correct answer.

If you chose D, congratulations. You are developing the skills you need to be a good mentor and help your partner find the information needed to solve problems.

D is the correct answer, because the mentor remembers to use the ASK strategy. In this example, the mentor:

• does not try to answer the question herself because she knows that her answer would not be correct, current and complete
• suggests that Jennifer ask someone else and suggests whom she should ask. The mentor writes:

  "Why don't you get in touch with your Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) counselor. He should know about your rights under the ADA and about funding."

• knows the Internet and suggests that Jennifer check out several sites to find out more information about the ADA and about funding. The mentor writes:

  "Also try looking up some information on the ADA and other funding sources on the web yourself. Try checking: http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/ada18.html (information about your rights as an employee with a disability)."

The mentor also remembers to use the DO IT! strategy. She:

• Listens to Jennifer and encourages her. The mentor writes:

  "Jennifer, sounds as if you really want to do a good job. That’s great!"

• Asks questions to help Jennifer describe the specific problem and describe why this is a problem (Step 1 of DO IT!). The mentor writes:

  "Can you tell me more about the problem that you have and what new equipment you think you need?"

In this answer, the mentor doesn’t solve the problem for Jennifer, doesn’t criticize, doesn’t react hastily, and doesn’t "yakkity yak yak" about other things. The mentor does not provide advice when she is not qualified to do so.

This research is supported by Grant #H133G8004 from The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research and no official endorsement should be inferred.