Building Synergy

Rather then reinventing the wheel

Disability Employment Policy

Idea of individual with a disability as employable began after the second World War with the veterans

Began with individuals with physical disabilities and has evolved to encompass all individuals with disabilities

Other Key Factors

Entitlements ie Social Security Benefits and Medicaid creating long term dependency

Work Disincentives Implications of the evolving “transitory”

workforce Concept of inclusion Supported Employment models

Key Legislation

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1974

Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Barriers to Employment

Healthcare Transportation Housing Attitudinal Legal

New Legislation/Programs

Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Act Medicaid Buy In Department of Labor Work Incentive grants Social Security Benefits Planning

Assistance and Outreach Ticket Roll Out States

Challenges

Individuals who are eligible for services across agencies

Individuals with disabilities who are not eligible for rehabilitation services but are eligible for One Stop Services

The temptation of Social Security Funding, funding, funding

Potential Partners

Governor’s Committees Rehabilitation Services Service Providers Individuals with Disabilities Parents Employers State and Local Agency Representatives Everyone is important!!

Programs that Work

Business Leadership Networks

High School High Tech

Workforce Recruitment Program

Youth Leadership Forum

Other Programs

Keys to Success

Communication Cooperation Innovation Seek and you will find

Final Thought

Everyone should have some thing to point to, something to be proud of—look what I did, see what I’ve done, I did the job, I was the one. Studs Terkel, WORKING