Everyone Can Work

1. Everyone Can Work Stephanie Breaker Skills to Succeed

2. Work is one of the key ways that adults in our culture define themselves.

3. My Journey • Recognizing that everyone can work • Employment similar to mobility • Redefining what work means • Embracing Employment First

4. Employment Statistics and Autism Statistics aren’t easy to interpret • Not all sources separate autism from developmental or intellectual disabilities • Has historically been a small, but increasing portion of employment services • Not all individuals with autism disclose diagnosis • Definition of employment may vary

5. National Vocational Rehabilitation & Autism2002 - 2010 • The number of people with autism seeking VR services increased over four times from 1,908 to 8,893 • Increased number of autism applicants growing 21% annually

6. National Employment Statistics • Over the past 10 years, there has actually been a decrease in employment rates for individuals with disabilities and cognitive disabilities. • Approximately 23% of individuals with cognitive disabilities are employed.

7. Autism Employment Statistics • Study looking at young adults only: • 32.5% work • Of those unemployed, 29% are looking for work vs. 47.7% of the general population

8. Kansas Statistics • Of those served in IDD settings, only 15% are employed. • Only 9% of SSI recipients with a intellectual disability work.

9. Kansas Vocational Rehabilitation • Only 8.7% of the total applicants for service have an intellectual disability. • VR achieves a successful employment outcome for individuals with intellectual disabilities 22.9% of the time.

10. Kansas HCBS-IDD Providers1996 - 2010 • Reduction in number of people who are competitively employed • Almost double the number of people receiving services in settings other than integrated employment • Funding for integrated employment only accounts for 5.9% of total day and employment expenditures

11. Other states have more success Common Factors Leading to Innovation • Identifying barriers • Using data • Policy changes • Coalitions, committees and communication at all levels

12. Top 5 – States with highest % of those employed who are served in IDD settings • 89%: Washington • 61%: Oklahoma • 53%: Connecticut • 51%: New Hampshire • 40%: Georgia

13. Washington “In the state of Washington, there is an expectation that people with developmental disabilities, like other adults, are expected to work and earn a living wage. Washington State has a policy called The Working Age Adults Employment policy, signed in 2004, with implementation in 2006. This policy states that adults with developmental disabilities are fully expected to work in integrated settings or be on a pathway to such employment. No other such policy exists in the USA, nor indeed in the world, which declares such an expectation.”

14. Oklahoma “The Oklahoma Administrative Code states that the goal of service delivery for Employment Services funded by DDSD is full-time employment. The OAC lists expectations as well as options and contingencies for ensuring an individual is moving toward the desired employment outcomes.”

15. System Barriers & Shortcomings • IDD providers – Most money funneled into services that don’t support community employment • Schools – Typically focus on two different tracts (employment & day services/workshops) and have limited funding and resources to effectively meet transition needs • VR – Time limited; most successful for individuals without complex behavioral or developmental needs

16. System Barriers & Shortcomings • Businesses – Stigma against disability and difficulty picturing a successful outcome. • All – Mental barriers, fear, stigma, too many poor placements (bad job matches, stereotypical job matches, poor job coaching, lack of prep for job skills, lack of integration in work culture)

17. What can we do? • Always believe that everyone can work • Address behaviors with the mindset that the person will be in the workplace • Focus on the soft skills: social skills, small talk, office politics, team-oriented projects, workplace culture, etc. • Be active in the community and work on building relationships and connections

18. What can we do? • Don’t allow “systems” to make assumptions about the person • Think outside of the box • Seek customized employment approaches with people committed to quality and support • Focus throughout lifespan on supporting a meaningful life through employment and community participation

19. Hope for the future • States are increasingly pressured to increase employment rates • We can learn from other states and their success • More and more examples to prove naysayers wrong

20. Hope for the future • Big businesses getting on board • Walgreens, AMC, Computer companies hiring individuals with autism • Changes in governmental approaches • Executive Order 13548 – Federal Employment of Individuals with Disabilities • OFCCP Section 503 – 7% rule for federal contractors and subcontractors

21. References • http://www.allianceforfullparticipation.org/success-stories/213-alderbook-2007-employment-policy-and-practice-in-washington-state • http://autismnow.org/on-the-job/employment-research-and-reports/ • http://disabilitycompendium.org/compendium-statistics/vocational-rehabilitation • www.nlts2.org • http://statedata.info/statedatabook/img/statedata2011_Fweb.pdf • http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/executive-order-increasing-federal-employment-individuals-with-disabilities

22. Contact Information Stephanie Breaker Director of Program Services Skills to Succeed 413 E Santa Fe Olathe, Kansas  66061 913.254.0001 stephanie@theskillstosucceed.org www.theskillstosucceed.org