While there are nationally representative surveys eliciting education and employment outcomes for adolescents, there is limited information in these datasets about health and abilities. We also need to be able to follow these adolescents over time, not just observed their outcomes at one point in time.

PASS plans are a very effective way of helping young people meet their employment goal. More outreach is needed from the SSA PASS cadres and AWICs so they can get the message out to the communities. The community partners would have more effective outcomes if they could actually meet, talk and collaborate with the actual SSA staff(the awic and pass cadre) in the community that make the decision on the PASS plan,

We need to study the common characteristics of youth who become successfully employed and develop training programs around those skill-sets.

Accessible Technology that allows the disabled to perform “tasks that their disability limits” should supersede outdated policy that limits it’s use or considers it’s use invalid. Should we treat technology as a prothesis, in that we would expect the individual to use it to perform to their potential. With training many could fully function in school and society, benefiting us all.

There needs to be more support for providers that are wanting to provide more community based employment supports for people with disabilities. It is difficult to transition from a traditional, facility-based model under current funding structures. Transportation and support needs to be flexible and responsive to people's real needs and real outcomes.

There are tremendous programs and ideas out there to help serve the special needs community. Companies who employ individuals with special needs should be rewarded for their mission. Employment rates amongst youth with ASD are low and opportunities are minimal. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2012/05/09/peds.2011-2864 If companies and programs had tax and monetary incentives to employ those... View full idea »

Include mandatory transition-related codes in the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) RSA 911 system for youth referrals: source of referral (name school), expected/actual date of graduation/program completion, coord. of IEP Measurable Post-Secondary Goal with VR Employment Goal, Transition Employment Services (i.e., after school employment, summer employment, job coaching).

As a 25-year-old Hispanic woman with Spinal Muscular Atrophy I can tell you I am grateful that I have been blessed with lots of opportunities to participate in higher education, to the point of reaching a Master’s degree last month, but I can also say that this success is only small step into what is to come. To be honest, I am not sure what is to come. I have seen first hand that there are major roadblocks I will have... View full idea »

Individuals with disabilities and families who join together and form non-profit organizations are more motivated to promote models of customized employment, and can help to bridge the services gap between school and adult services. Relatively small amounts of funding will allow groups to hire a specialist to assess and negotiate employment for its members.

Develop youth services models within the workforce development system (inclusive of youth with disabilities) that credential 21st century skills such as website design, mobile technology, and green tech.

U.S. rep Gregg Harper (R-MS) has reintroduced this legislative package. Are the readers of this forum familiar with it?

Self-employment for individuals with disabilities has fast become a recognized option. Could two year colleges perhaps offer a course of study, coupled with mentoring, and networking opportunities to spur this employment option that leads to student employment success? Are there incentives for two year colleges to join the cause!

Since the mid 90's, we have instituted a School to Work Alliance Proogram for students with mild to moderate disabilities that can achieve competitive employment with Job Seeking Skills Training and Job Coaching. This program begins by referral at senior IEP's to the State Division of Vaocational Rehabilitation, Determination of Eligibility, interest inventories through O*Net and College in Colorado to aid in the development... View full idea »

Transportation, transportation, transportation...need I say more? If a community does not offer adequate public wheelchair transportation options serving individuals with disabilities and their families, then there should be some sort of assistance program to help individuals and their families acquire a wheelchair accessible vehicle!

Having grown up in the aftermath of IDEA and ADA, I believed that I was living in a much more progressive situation for people with disabilities. I was shocked to learn that under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employers may pay individuals with disabilities below the minimum wage. This law was passed in 1938, long before deinstitutionalization and integrated education. Individuals with disabilities deserve equal... View full idea »