Employment and Disability: Expanding Employment Opportunities
by Center on Transition Innovations
Available formats: PDF
DID YOU KNOW?
- Disability affects approximately 1 in 5 people in the US.
- There are twice as many individuals with a disability (age 18-64) living in poverty as compared
- to the general population.
- 1 in 3 unemployed adults who are able to work reported a disability.
- 17.5 % of people with a disability were employed in 2015 compared to 65.0% without a
- disability.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and US Bureau of Labor Statistics
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
- INCREASE AWARENESS- Discuss employment options at an early age during IEP meetings. Attend local job fairs and reach out to your contacts in local businesses. Share employment success stories of students with disabilities to create understanding, stimulate imagination, and increase awareness of all stakeholders.
- RAISE EXPECTATIONS- Clearly communicate high expectations to students at a young age. Visit the I’m Determined website for information and opportunities to practice skills associated with self-determined behavior. imdetermined.org
- IMPLEMENT BETTER PRACTICES- Provide students with disabilities access to more rigorous coursework, career readiness curriculum, and effective practices that will lead to competitive integrated employment. Review the effective practices and predictors for post-school success from the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition. transitionta.org
- ENHANCE COLLABORATIONS- Develop a working knowledge of the services for students transitioning into competitive employment. Invite agencies and community partners to IEP meetings.
The contents were developed under a contract (881-62524-H027A150107) from the Virginia Department of Education. an equal opportunity affirmative action university 140429-09an equal opportunity affirmative action university 140429-09