by Beth McKenney | Sep 19, 2017 | Blog Archive
According to IDEA Section 300.29:
(a) Transition service means a coordinated set of activities for a student with a disability that (1) Is designed within an outcome-oriented process, that promotes movement from school to post-school activities, including post-secondary education, vocational training, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation; (2) Is based on the individual student’s needs, taking into account the student’s preferences and interests; and (3) Includes (i) Instruction; (ii) Related services; (iii) Community experiences; and (iv) The development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives.” IDEA 2004
Currently, most Oregon students with intellectual disabilities still continue to leave school without paid employment. Students who experience more significant disability labels also experience less community work experience exposure and limited placement. This in turn limits their options as potential workers once they leave school.
If we see IDEA as a framework to achieve successful transition outcomes, we need to think about providing services in community settings and designing community work experiences that are based on individual interests and preferences for every student instead of groups being taken all together to one community site. This means each and every student regardless of disability should have access to their “own” individual placement and work experience. The use of WIOA pre-employment funds for discovery or facilitated person centered employment could be used to determine best fit and interest. This could direct individual work experiences and begin to define supports needed for future jobs. The more significant the disability the earlier the student should begin this process as part of a school program rather than be excluded and limited to on campus experiences only.
Linkages to adult services and actual job search should also commence prior to leaving school with the idea that the paid job be located sooner rather than after leaving school. Ideally, schools and local providers would collaborate on the search using braided resources (WIOA, OVRS, ODE funding, etc.). If a school district is already utilizing state YTP funds, these programs should expand to include ALL students with intellectual disabilities rather than just serving some, as is currently the practice in many school districts. Internships and training outside the school setting, located within existing businesses such as Project SEARCH could be facilitated within every community.
A stronger partnership that promotes supported employment needs to be in place for Oregon Department of Education, ODDS and OVRS, so we can realize the promise of successful transition under IDEA. The expectation that ALL students can and should work in paid community jobs across our state needs to be endorsed more openly by all three entities, and collaboration that leads to action. We can succeed in having ALL school Leavers with intellectual Disabilities leave school already in paid jobs! For perspectives from other national experts on transition from school to work, see articles by: 1) Grossi and Thomas, and 2) Munundar and Carlson.
– Debra McLean
Oregon APSE
by Beth McKenney | Sep 1, 2017 | Blog Archive
We live in a world of unlimited choices. With the massive amount of assistive technology (AT) options, it is difficult to know where to start to discover what type of AT is right for you or someone you support. Throughout the process of putting AT in place, there are several places we can get stuck. This short post is meant to provide some places to start. Today, I want to highlight a few resources that you can utilize to help you purchase the right equipment for yourself or someone you support by trying out the equipment ahead of time. To make an informed choice on what AT is right for you, explore some of the following options:
- Explore your state’s Assistive Technology Act Program: Click here to find your state’s program. In Washington for instance, the Washington Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP) has a device lending library, which allows people to rent equipment (for a small fee) to try before you buy. Most pieces of equipment can be rented for up to 5 weeks. I have rented analog and Bluetooth switches, iPad’s with pre-loaded apps, and iPad mounting systems for wheel chair attachments.
- Funding Opportunities:
- Talk to you case manager about Medicaid-related funding, including the Community First Choice Option.
- Explore NW Access Fund to start an Individual Development account to receive matching funds toward a device. They also offer low-interest loans for larger purchases.
- Connect with your local Vocational Rehabilitation office. While seeking employment, Vocational Rehabilitation counselors can request AT assessments and purchase equipment to for workplace accommodations.
- Stay connected with Autism Speaks to apply for iPad grants
- For Communication-specific AT needs, Speech-Language Pathologists can make recommendations on Speech-Generating Devices, which can then be prescribed by your doctor as a medical necessity.
- Physical and Occupational therapists can also recommend mobility devices and tools for activities for daily living.
Technology opens doors and can help people to unlock their true potential. Whether you have a need identified or you just want to explore cool AT, the above resources provide a great starting point. Check them out!
by Beth McKenney | Jul 11, 2017 | Blog Archive
TLC’s Community Access Staff – Doing it Right!
While some agencies throughout the State of Washington, providing services to people experiencing developmental and intellectual disabilities may struggle in assisting individuals to identify and accomplish their goals, others have figured out a path to success. Total Living Concepts (TLC) is one such agency!
Total Living Concept (TLC)’s Community Access team has been finding spectacular success assisting people to identify and achieve their goals. Not only are the people they serve becoming active in the community in ways they never thought possible, they are forging real friendships and contributing significantly to their community. Some have even become employed without even looking for a job. TLC’s CA Program Manager Josie Sparks brims with excitement when she shares stories about her team’s ability to create amazing movement in the lives of the people they serve. Together they have created a truly dynamic and effective team and service.
How do they do this? Do they have advice for others who are struggling?
Sparks, a competitive paddler hailing from Hawaii, brings a big spirit to this work. Her eyes sparkle. Her spiky black hair vibrates. Her face is continuously lit up like a festival. Her belief in the ability of all people to transform their lives by setting truly transformational goals is enormous and her team not only shares this belief but lives and breathes it. This is Sparks’ life work and great talent. Her background as a personal trainer and the stories of transformation she shares are truly awe inspiring. She and her team attribute their success to the following:
- Believe in people’s abilities to achieve success beyond what anyone has yet imagined.
- Support from agency leadership is TLC is grounded in person-centeredness, with dignity and respect at the heart of its mission and being. Their mission statement gives them not only a direction but a way of being. Leadership ensures those who work in the agency strive to live their mission day in and day out. Click here to read their Mission Statement.
- At every moment they allow the people they support to become independent and capable in every action possible. Their team doesn’t provide lip service alone to their goal of working themselves out of a job. They are motivated to make themselves not necessary. For example they do not open doors for people who are capable of doing so, or they help people who don’t seem currently capable to figure out how to open doors in their own way. They put themselves in check whenever they feel the urge to step in and assist/caretake. They assess, recognize and step back every time they see themselves stepping in and not allowing a person to do things. They realize that stepping in actually perpetuates disability and stunts growth.
- They constantly push themselves and others to raise the bar and reach for what might seem ‘unobtainable at the moment.’ They do not settle for mediocre goals. Through dedication, patience and allowing people to self-direct, change their minds, try and fail, but never give up, they support people to not only believe in themselves but develop their own vision and achieve substantially better lives. This is the core of who they are and why they help people succeed.
- They hire people from all walks of life who want to assist in the great work of personal transformation. They look for staff who can bring their own unique richness to the team.
- They are fascinated by people and their stories. They are fueled by learning as a lifelong activity and this process is what makes life not only meaningful but fun, exciting and beautiful.
- Their belief in the abilities of people are rock solid. They KNOW that people are incredibly capable and recognize the important role of support and encouragement.
- Josie as a manager has open communication and gives tireless support but never stops challenging her team. She gets them what they need and gets out of their way. She never lets the bar of high expectations drop. She clears the way for staff to experiment within boundaries and is both flexible and nurturing. Josie creates a sense of family, is achievement-focused, person-focused, endlessly supportive and helps them celebrate every achievement no matter how small. She has their backs. She makes it safe to go out on a limb and support actual dreams and help people make them real.
- They do not give up and they just do not stop. Because of this dedication, TLC has made a real mark and helped others to set expectations high for all community members. They believe the sky is the limit for those they support so they shoot for the stars every time.
Bravo TLC!
