Employing Youth with Significant Disabilities
This section contains information for students, families, and educators on employment options and strategies for students with significant disabilities.
Integrated Employment Toolkit
http://www.dol.gov/odep/ietoolkit/
This toolkit from the Office of Disability Employment Policy in the U.S. Department of Labor provides a number of resources, organized by different stakeholder groups, for increasing capacity and understanding about employment opportunities for people with disabilities where they work with workers who do not have disabilities and are paid minimum wage or more by the employer.
Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
http://www.rehabworks.org
DVR provides services for eligible persons with physical or mental impairments designed to enable them to prepare for, get, keep, or regain employment. Youth services include job-site assessment/accommodations, job placement, job coaching, on-the-job training, and supported employment.
Agency for Persons with Disabilities
http://apd.myflorida.com/
APD partners with local Florida communities to identify the needs of people with developmental disabilities and to fund supports and services such as supported employment. There is a waitlist for services.
Supported Employment in Florida
http://www.flse.net/
Educator resources for supported employment including federal and state information and an on-line Agency for Persons with Disabilities approved pre-service certificate course on supported employment.
Integrated Service Systems at the Point of Transition for Youth with Significant Disabilities: A Model that Works
http://www.ncset.org/publications/info/NCSETInfoBrief_1.4.pdf
Educator resource describing the Transition Services Integrated Model that combines school and post-school resources in a student-driven approach to transition planning. Paid employment with supports before the student exits school results.
WorkSupport.com
http://www.worksupport.com/resources/listContent.cfm/2/0
Contains detailed information on employment options for people with significant disabilities such as alternative work arrangements (self-employment and telecommuting), customized employment, supported employment, and natural supports.)
Quality Indicators for Competitive Employment Outcomes - Fact Sheet
http://www.worksupport.com/documents/Fact_Sheet_%20Quality_Indicators.doc
Quality Indicators for Review of Competitive Employment Job Outcomes - Form
http://www.worksupport.com/documents/RCEPEmployOutcomeIndicators.doc
These resources describe a process for determining quality job placements for people with significant disabilities.
Customized Employment
http://www.onestops.info/category.php?cat_id=1
Web page with detailed information on customized employment including customized entrepreneurship and benefits planning and counseling.
Customized Employment: Practical Solutions for Employment Success
http://www.dol.gov/odep/documents/F5D8B83B_3939_4EFF_9825_44D68722ABD1.pdf
Describes elements, principles, indicators, strategies, career development, employer negotiations, and more for customized employment.
Vocational Phase System (Exhibit 3.5B at end of Chapter 3)
http://www.ncwd-youth.info/resources_&_Publications/mental_health.html
Describes a five phase system (learning, responsibility, transition, independence, employability) for moving a person with a mental health need from training and supervision on-the-job by the Transition Specialist to independent employment.
Road to Self-Sufficiency: A Guide to Entrepreneurship for Youth with Disabilities
http://www.ncwd-youth.info/road-to-self-sufficiency
Resource for youth organizations containing an overview of entrepreneurship including entrepreneurship education programs and activities, significance of financial planning, financial options, resources, references, and glossary.
Job Accommodation Network
http://www.jan.wvu.edu/
Individualized technical assistance, consulting, and mentoring services to individuals with disabilities, families, and service providers including referrals, accommodations, and self-employment/small business development expertise.
Best Buddies Jobs
http://www.bestbuddies.org/our-programs
Best Buddies Jobs provides supported employment to help Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities attain and maintain jobs of their own choosing by providing ongoing support and training. It enables people with IDDs to earn an income, pay taxes, and work in an environment alongside others in the community. Best Buddies Jobs has placed more than 500 individuals in integrated employment positions.
Griffin-Hammis Associates, LLC
http://www.griffinhammis.com/
Free on-line resources on self employment, customized employment, job carving, natural supports, and social security considerations for people with disabilities.
