Currently, if a person who continues to need employment support is funded for that support in one state, parents are unable to leave that state without losing that support. A move can mean going to the end of a very long waiting list. IEPs transfer from state to state. Adult services should, also.

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!

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 »

The ABLE Act has earned 35 cosponsors in the US Senate and 150 cosponsors in the US House and is being led by a bipartisan, bicameral set of Congressional champions, including: Senator Robert Casey, Jr., (D-PA) and Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) and Congressman Ander Crenshaw (R-FL), Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX). Under current law, ...View full idea »

As someone who has worked in both the education and rehabilitation services fields, I have observed a serious disconnect between schools doing IEPs/ITPs and the regional VR and adult programs. VR cases should be opened while the student is still in school (Jr and Sr years) and the regional VR counselors assigned should attend IEP/ITP meetings along with an appropriate adult service provider or guidance counselor if student ...View full idea »

I know that transition services do not begin technically before 14-16 years of age, but any lesson at any age can teach transition skills like organization, self-advocacy, goal setting etc. Why wait until it is mandatory?

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

Recreational Therapy (RT), is a cost-effective covered service in IEPs, yet, to date, this service is under utilized in the school system. Typically the under utilization is due to lack of awareness of its scope of practice. Recreational Therapists (RTs) are nationally certified/licensed health professionals who provide services aimed at the development of functional skills aimed toward the successful integration ...View full idea »

Underlying Issues:  There has been no change in post-school outcomes for students with disabilities over a fifteen year period. The sheer numbers of students who transition into sheltered workshops demonstrate that the majority of students have not been prepared for integrated work in their communities or postsecondary education.  Students with significant disabilities are often denied access to general education ...View full idea »

As an Employment Specialist and supervisor of a placement department, I am amazed at the number of individuals coming out of high school (and older individuals) who do not have a grasp of the basics needed in order to begin the job search process. It is never too early to have classes in basic job readiness training: 1) Documentation needed (and how to obtain) for job seekers - photo ID, Social Security Number (having ...View full idea »

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 »

What are the ways we can leverage technology to focus on the Abilities innate with in all SWD. We all have strengths and weakness's. Sometimes SWD have larger divides between the two. How can we start a Think Tank to generate ideas to harness the opportunity that technology has opened up. Forming teams of industry, developers, teacher, parents, service providers, SSI folk, employers, healthcare, legislators, policy makers. ...View full idea »

I developed a partnership with several state of New Mexico Government agencies to create a work experience summer program for disabled youth. It was very successful. The youth were paid by the state for their work experience, and were considered volunteers by the federal government during the summer. Several of them were so good at their work that several agencies wanted them converted into the Federal Pathways student ...View full idea »

When the Departments of Labor, Education, Health and Human Services, the Social Security Administration, other public agencies work closely together early to support and promote the growth and development of youth with significant disabilities, individuals benefit from the coordination of supports that lead to better outcomes. It is critical that systemic changes allow for flexible braiding of resources, coupled with ...View full idea »