Creating a Path: How to Support Families and Young Adults with Autism to Prepare for Competitive Integrated Employment

The transition from school to adult life can be challenging for many families with young adults with Autism. Because of such challenges, preparation activities for young adults are key to post-high school success in employment. The purpose of this toolkit is to share considerations and resources for professionals and other supporters as they work with families and youth to prepare for competitive integrated employmen

Vermont: Collaborating to Educate Self-Advocates about Alternatives to Guardianship

This promising practice describes Vermont’s statewide self-advocacy organization, Green Mountain Self-Advocates (GMSA), and their partnership with the Vermont Disability Law Project to organize legal clinics for people with IDD. These clinics have enabled self-advocates to get high-quality, easy-to-understand information about alternatives to guardianship they might not get anywhere else

Exploring Alternatives to Guardianship: A Brief for Youth with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities and Their Supporters

This brief talks about some differences between people with IDD who have guardians and people with IDD who do not have guardians. It also discusses alternatives to guardianship, including supported decision-making and offers resources to learn more about alternatives to guardianship

Four Strategies to Find a Good Job: Advice from Job Seekers with Disabilities

[Excerpt] Finding a job is hard work. Even though there are a lot of agencies out there that can provide help, it can still be a difficult process. The Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) talked to adults with disabilities who used a state or local agency to find a job. ICI asked these individuals about their experience using an agency. ICI also asked them to explain other things that were helpful while they searched for a job. These nineteen job seekers told ICI that the following strategies helped them to find jobs that they liked

Case Studies of Local Boards and One-Stop Centers: Creative Involvement of Community-Based Disability Organizations at One-Stop Career Centers

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) facilitates partnerships among organizations for more coordinated service delivery to all job seekers. Although the state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency is the only disability agency or program that is a mandated partner under WIA, community-based disability organizations (CBOs) can also work with One-Stop Career Centers to enhance their capacity to support customers with disabilities. Through case study research, the Institute for Community Inclusion identified several models of involvement between CBOs and One-Stops. These models illustrate that organizations can be creative in developing their partner roles to meet the needs of both their staff and their customers. This brief is part of a series of products offering practical solutions for Local Workforce Investment Boards and One-Stop Career Centers as they strive to serve all customers, including those with disabilities. Topics covered in other briefs include fiscal issues, strategies for maximizing staff comptencies, and partnerships with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). The source of the information presented in this brief is from case studies conducted in Los Angeles, California; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Wilmington, Delaware; New Orleans, Louisiana; Utica, New York; and Clark County, Washington. These case studies were conducted by researchers at the Institute for Community Inclusion at University of Massachusetts Boston

Competitive Integrated Employment for People with Autism

Produced in collaboration with the Autism Society of America, this toolkit supports non-employment professionals to work with families and individuals to pursue employment. It delves into the importance of competitive integrated employment and offers resources for job seekers and professionals

Case Studies of Local Boards and One-Stop Centers: Underutilization of One-Stops by People with Significant Disabilities

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) identifies individuals with disabilities as among the constituencies to be served by One-Stop Career Centers. Due to a variety of factors, including lack of an overall One-Stop data collection system, no clear way to identify disability in the system, and non-disclosure of disability by many customers, it is difficult to ascertain the exact level of One-Stop usage by people with disabilities. However, existing data sources and anecdotal evidence indicate that people with disabilities underutilize One-Stops. The number of people with disabilities that use One-Stops seems to be lower than what would be expected based on the percentage of people with disabilities in the adult population. The disproportionately high rate of un- and underemployment among people with disabilities makes their underutilization of this career resource a critical issue. Increasing the use of One-Stops by job seekers with disabilities can be a challenge. Underutilization may be due to a lack of appropriate services for individuals with more significant disabilities, who may find visiting a One-Stop an overwhelming experience. At the same time, the philosophy of universal access should ensure that any customer can utilize core services of the One-Stop. People with disabilities should not have to bypass core services and rely exclusively on disability programs such as Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). The key is making these generic services welcoming, accommodating, and tailored to everyone. Many One-Stops have created successful strategies to increase access for customers with significant disabilities. The following is offered as a tool for One-Stops to use in their efforts to promote increased access and meaningful outcomes for job seekers. It is our hope that these examples will stimulate the development of exemplary employment services for individuals with disabilities in One-Stops across the country. This brief is part of a series of products offering practical solutions for state and local entities as they implement the Workforce Investment Act. Topics covered in other briefs include fiscal issues, models of involvement for community-based disability organizations, addressing staff knowledge and concerns, and involvement of state VR agencies with other One-Stop partners. The source of the information presented below is case studies conducted in Los Angeles, California; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Wilmington, Delaware; New Orleans, Louisiana; Utica, New York; and Clark County, Washington. These case studies were conducted by researchers at the Institute for Community Inclusion at University of Massachusetts Boston

Research to Practice: Time Limits, Exemption, and Disclosure: TANF Caseworkers and Clients with Disabilities

Findings show that welfare caseworkers experience unique challenges when supporting welfare recipients with disabilities, including time limit pressures and conflict over exemptions. The brief includes a resource list for caseworkers

Tools for Inclusion: Self-Determination: A Fundamental Ingredient of Employment Support

Persons with disabilities should direct their own job searches, from determining their interests and goals to researching employment opportunities to starting a new job. Doing so increases their sense of empowerment and can contribute to their employment success. Employment professionals have a facilitating role to play in the process. Job seeker self-determination practices should drive employment services\u27 coordination, funding, and implementation

Tools for Inclusion: From Stress to Success: Making Social Security Work for Your Young Adult

How does receiving Social Security affect families as their children move into adulthood? This brief shares families\u27 experiences and suggests ways that families can manage SSI and use it to help a young adult prepare for their career