Helpful Hints for Finding a Personal Attendant
As a student with a disability or impairment who has applied and been accepted to Texas A&M University, there are a few pieces of information that will assist you in finding a personal attendant. The Department of Disability Resources (DR) does not keep a list of qualified personal attendants; however the following information will assist you in making preparations to hire your own personal attendants. When meeting with an Access Coordinator that you will be assigned to, they will discuss the following information on how to acquire a personal attendant who will meet your particular needs. The following steps may assist you in advertising, interviewing, selecting, and training your personal attendant:
- Make an appointment with an Access Coordinator in DR. This appointment should be made, if at all possible, during the semester or the Summer prior to entering Texas A&M University.
- During your appointment, you will be provided with an Attendant Advertisement Questionnaire. This questionnaire is designed to help you and your family write an accurate job description for a personal attendant. The questionnaire is also designed to help you analyze each task that must be done on a daily and/or weekly basis. It is advisable to take at least a week to complete the form so that you can determine all the specifics of your needs.
- Your Access Coordinator will be available to answer questions you may have in completing the form.
- Please be as concise as possible as you complete your advertisement form. This advertisement should be in the form of a classified ad. Upon completion, please provide your advertisement form to your Access Coordinator, so that it can be posted on the Jobs for Aggies website. Students/Families may also choose to create their own employer listing on the Jobs For Aggies website and post the position listing themselves.
Resources
- Managing your Own Personal Assistance Services, The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth, 2010
- Article: “How to Secure Housing and Manage PCA Services at College”, New Mobility Magazine, March 2022
- Article: “The Business of Managing Your PCAs“, New Mobility Magazine, August 2017
Common Questions and Answers Concerning Hiring an Attendant
When will the advertisement be posted on the Jobs for Aggies website?
ANSWER: Can be posted at any time during the semester. Recommend submitting at least 3 weeks prior to when you hope to have the person start working.
When can I expect to hear from potential applicants?
ANSWER: Usually students who want to find jobs come to campus about 1-2 weeks or so before school starts to begin looking for employment. It is possible that you may still be interviewing potential personal attendants up until a few days before or after the semester begins.
What are the student’s options if an attendant is not found before the beginning of the semester?
ANSWER: This situation is not uncommon for students looking for an attendant. A family member or friend may need to stay during the interim period or a temporary attendant may need to be hired.
Who will make the final selection of my attendant(s)?
ANSWER: You and your family will collect all the applications; contact the applicants; conduct all of the interviews and make your own selection according to your criteria for the position.
Who is responsible for paying for my attendant?
ANSWER: If you are a client of Texas Health and Human Services you will need to meet with your HHS Counselor to determine the method of payment. If you are ineligible for their services at this time, you are responsible for working out a method of payment with your attendant(s). DR does not provide any financial support for attendants.
Helpful agencies and phone numbers:
Student Employment Office & Jobs For Aggies Database
(979) 845-0686
Texas Health and Human Services
(800) 628-5115 General
(979) 680-5270 Local
Consumer Directed Services (CDS)
The Associates Home Health
(979) 691-2273
Comfort Keepers
(979) 764-3076