Richard Luecking, Ed.D. rluecking@transcen.org The Way to Work: Effective practices for employment...

Richard Luecking, Ed.D.rluecking@transcen.org

The Way to Work:

Effective practices for employment preparation, placement, and support for youth with disabilities

WORK IS

GOOD!

WORK IS

GOOD!

# 1 Factor predicting post school career success:

Work experience

during school

Research about work experiences and work

* National Longitudinal Transition Survey

* National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability/Youth (research based Guideposts for Success)

* Center on Transition to Employment for Youth with Disabilities

Optimum Career Preparationincludes:

•Youth empowerment•Family involvement and supports•Academic preparation paired with work experience•Connections to ancillary services

•!WORK!

Youth Empowerment:Kyndal at Sinai Hospital

Work experiences in HS +

Self-directed IEP =

Job in telecommunications

department

Family Supports:Ramon at Dr. Morgenstern

Family Supports:Ramon at Dr. Morgenstern

Academic Preparation & Work:Phillip becoming a graphic designer

Service Connections:Camille at Department of Corrections

Work!:

Tamika at Department of Agriculture

Work!: Kirsten at Consumer Product Safety Commission

Presumed employability

Every student receiving special education services should expect secondary or post-secondary education to culminate in a job and career path

It doesn’t happen without Employers

How they see it

Disability

The presence of a disability neither deters or promotes employer hiring behavior

What employers want

Employees who are:

Technically competent;

Trustworthy; and/or

Skilled in social interactions

What employers want

Opportunities to influence the development of the future workforce

*Work experiences

*Internships

Disability in the workplace

Employers value:

*Employees who add value to operation

*Disclosure information that is credible and linked to accommodations and performance

The Bottom Line

The most important factors to employers:

Meeting a perceived need:• Making money,• Saving money, and/or• Operating more efficiently

Colin at Ross Dress for Less*Receives and unpacks shoe

shipments*Sorts shoes into size categories

*Censors and tags shoes

*Delivers shoes to proper rack on sales floor – and retrieves

returned shoes

Benefit to Ross

* Fewer complaints from customers

* Smoother operation for other staff

* Increased sales

•The Trifecta!:•Saves money, makes money, operates

more efficiently

The Bottom Line for Students?

Work is Good!

More information:

www.transitiontoemployment.org

www.transcen.org