community-integrated employment for people with developmental disabilities

Community-Integrated Employment for People with Developmental Disabilities

Leaders for Ozaukee’s Next GenerationSession 3: DiversityNovember 14, 2012

Joshua Ryf Communications Director

Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities

What is BPDD?The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD) was established to advocate on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities, foster welcoming and inclusive communities, and improve the disability service system.

Community-Integrated Employment

What is a developmental disability?Under Wisconsin State Law, a developmental disability is defined as a list of conditions. The condition must be severe and permanent.

The federal definition is based on the level of need, not the underlying condition. Under federal law, a developmental disability is a severe, chronic disability caused by a mental or physical impairment, or both.

Community-Integrated Employment

2012-2016 State PlanBPDD’s current State Plan focuses on:

1. Self-Determination

2. Self-Advocacy

3. Employment

Community-Integrated Employment

Self-DeterminationPeople of all ages make choices about their lives, and are actively engaged in planning their services and supports.

Community-Integrated Employment

Self-AdvocacyPeople with developmental disabilities and their families will be effective advocates and leaders resulting in systems change on issues they feel are most important to them.

Community-Integrated Employment

EmploymentPeople with developmental disabilities will be employed in integrated jobs of their choosing in the community.

People with developmental disabilities will also be paid a competitive wage.

Community-Integrated Employment

Other Important TopicsTransportation

Education

Voting

Long-Term Care

Medicaid

Dental Care

Transition

Community-Integrated Employment

People First LanguagePeople First Language is an objective and respectful way to speak about people with disabilities by emphasizing the person first, rather than the disability.

Community-Integrated Employment

Community-Integrated EmploymentCommunity-integrated employment refers to working for a competitive wage in a community-based job.

The employment must be in a work setting where, to the greatest extent possible, the employment typically involves interaction with co-workers and business associates who do not have disabilities and/or the general public.

Community-Integrated Employment

Why is Employment an Issue?As of 2011, only 8% of working-age participants (age 18-64) in Wisconsin’s long-term care system had integrated employment.

When people with disabilities are not are unemployed, they are at risk of being: kept in perpetual poverty; less healthy; less included in the community; etc.

Community-Integrated Employment

Employment for Youth with DisabilitiesYouth with disabilities are often overlooked and underemployed in Wisconsin.

When a youth with a disability gets work experience in high school, the likelihood of them getting paid employment after high school increases.

Community-Integrated Employment

Why Hire a Person with a Disability?People with disabilities are hardworking, dedicated team members who want to work.

When people with disabilities are included in community-integrated jobs, everyone benefits.

When people with disabilities are employed, they contribute to Wisconsin’s economy and use fewer tax-funded public services.

Community-Integrated Employment

Grafton PSA

Community-Integrated Employment

Holmen PSA

Community-Integrated Employment

How Do Businesses Hire People with Disabilities?Supports are available to help the person learn the job.

Youth: Get in touch with a high school’s transition coordinator or special education department (e.g. Patty Brestrich, Grafton High School, 262-376-5611)

Adults: Contact DVR’s Ozaukee County Workforce Development Center (262-238-2880)

Community-Integrated Employment

For more information, contact:Joshua Ryf at (608) 261-7829 or joshua.ryf@wisconsin.gov

or go to www.wi-bpdd.org.

Community-Integrated Employment

Thank You!

Community-Integrated Employment