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Accessible Technology that allows the disabled to perform “tasks that their disability limits” should supersede outdated policy that limits it’s use or considers it’s use invalid.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.
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).
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!
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!
