Possibilities in the Workforce

Empowering Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Michael Thomas, Executive Director – My Possibilities

Webinar Agenda

• Explaining the current expectations of people with special needs.

• Diversity & Inclusion: What’s changed?

• New Education & Training Model

• Questions we will answer:• Where do young adults go to learn/train after high school? • How big of an impact would a new system make to the

economy? • Is my company ready for the real “D&I talk?”

Sarah works part time as

administrative support for an

oil pipeline manufacturer

Current State of Programming

• Americans with disabilities graduate out of the public school system the year they turn 22, though the trend is to “graduate” these students early. (18-21)

• Upon graduation, students with IDD either move on to unemployment or into “day habilitation” programs.

• The system supporting people with disabilities has been designed to support activities-based programming, modeled as a “one size fits all” system for all people with intellectual disabilities.

IDD/Cognitive Disabilities – People with intellectual or developmental delays.

Current State of Programming

• Each state supports day habilitation in its own way. All states utilize a federal Medicaid match to access funds for support.

• 3.5-4% of the Population = 250,000 children & adults with disabilities in DFW.

• Texas currently ranks 50 out of 51 states for funding support for people with disabilities.

• There are an estimated 120,000 people with disabilities on the waiting list for funding support, with an estimated wait time of 15-17 years.

• In the current legislative session, a freeze was placed on any new individuals coming off of the list for a two year period.

Source of Statistics: http://cfi.ucp.org/state-scorecards/

Diversity & Inclusion

• Important Historic Moments for Diversity & Inclusion• 1863-1865: Freedom of slaves and outlawing of slavery

• 1917: Women join the workforce as a result of WWI

• 1920: Women’s Bureau of the Department of Labor formed

• 1948: Military integrated

• 1961: President John F. Kenney improves hiring practices for women and establishes maternity leave

• 1963: Equal Pay Act was signed. (Illegal to pay a woman less than a man for the same job)

• 1964: President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act, prohibiting discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

• 1967: Age Discrimination in Employment act established to prohibit discrimination based on age.

• 1987: “Workforce 2000” Is commissioned by Secretary of Labor, William Brock. “Diversity Industry” is born.

• 1990: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is passed, prohibiting discrimination in employment based

upon disability, and enforcing reasonable access and accommodations to people with disabilities.

Diversity & Inclusion

• Important Historic Moments for Diversity & Inclusion• 1863-1865: Freedom of slaves and outlawing of slavery

• 1917: Women join the workforce as a result of WWI

• 1920: Women’s Bureau of the Department of Labor formed

• 1948: Military integrated

• 1961: President John F. Kenney improves hiring practices for women and establishes maternity leave

• 1963: Equal Pay Act was signed. (Illegal to pay a woman less than a man for the same job)

• 1964: President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act, prohibiting discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

• 1967: Age Discrimination in Employment act established to prohibit discrimination based on age.

• 1987: “Workforce 2000” Is commissioned by Secretary of Labor, William Brock. “Diversity Industry” is born.

• 1990: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is passed, prohibiting discrimination in employment based

upon disability, and enforcing reasonable access and accommodations to people with disabilities.

Diversity & Inclusion: Including Disabilities

• Though the term “disabilities” has been included in D&I policies since the ADA, disabilities in the workforce has traditionally been physical/sensory.

• Discussions about IDD in the work place is increasing, focuses on two components:

• The value people with disabilities bring to the work place.

• Positive Attitude, prompt and infrequently absent, job loyal, task efficient.

• Restructuring current work tasks/responsibilities to support a part-time to full-time employee with disabilities

Justin works at the 2nd

Floor Bistro at the Westin

Galleria

New Education Model

• The new model is no different than that of the traditional realm of higher education, we’re just applying it to a new population.

• Students graduate and move on to centers for higher learning, focused on fields of interest and future employment.

• Funding systems support continued learning rather than adult day care services.

• Education tailored to support individuals of any cognitive ability level.

• Classes progress to include vocational training in fields which people with disabilities will be both interested and successful.

• Fields Include:• Culinary Arts / Restaurant & Café Services

• Environmental services & facility maintenance

• Administrative support

• Hospitality & Customer Service

New Education Model –Two Way Street

• To ensure people with disabilities are included in the work place, two types of education must happen.

• Education & vocational training for adults with disabilities

• Education for the community

• We believe there is an education gap in the rest of the work force.

• How do we interact with people with disabilities? Aspergers?

• What’s the difference between accommodation and modification?

• Does our risk and/or liability insurance increase?

• Do we engage with these employees differently?

• Who do we call if we’re having a difficult time with the employee?

My Possibilities Campus for Higher Learning

• Opening in Spring of 2018, My Possibilities will provide education and training to both adults with disabilities as well as the greater community.

• We will teach classes to professionals in a variety of industries:

• Education

• First Responders (PD, FD, EMS)

• Therapists

• HR Professionals

• General Management

• Families

• Community Leaders

Possibilities in the Workforce

For more information on My Possibilities, the MP Campus for Higher Learning, or hiring people with disabilities, email me at Director@mptx.org or visit www.MyPossibilities.org