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Everyone Can WorkStephanie BreakerSkills to Succeed
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Work is one of the key ways that adults in our culture
define themselves.
My Journey
Recognizing that everyone can work
Employment similar to mobility
Redefining what work means
Embracing Employment First
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
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
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.
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
Kansas Statistics
Of those served in IDD settings, only 15% are employed.
Only 9% of SSI recipients with a intellectual disability work.
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.
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
Other states have more success
Common Factors Leading to Innovation
Identifying barriers
Using data
Policy changes
Coalitions, committees and communication at all levels
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
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.”
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.”
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
Contact Information
Stephanie BreakerDirector of Program Services
Skills to Succeed413 E Santa Fe
Olathe, Kansas 66061913.254.0001
