Modernizing the Workplace: Employment & Prosperity - Making Work - Work! For People with Disabilities

Earning money is what many youth and adults with disabilities say they want, but what happens when getting a job requires different levels of supports, and puts the youth/adult at risk of losing publicly funded health care? Having a job is just one step, working and learning skills that lead to lifetime employment is the goal. Earning a living that generates enough income for housing, transportation, work supports, health needs, recreation and savings should not be so complex. Is it reducing barriers, using existing resources smarter or finding innovative cultural-based strategies that assures success? Learn what programs around the country are doing to facilitate self-sufficiency and prosperity. Topics include but not limited to:

• Hire Abilities: Hawaii’s Medicaid Infrastructure Grants (MIG).
• Work Supports: Utilizing existing work supports and health care incentives that encourage people with disabilities to gain and sustain employment.
• Customized Employment (DOL, WIA, ETA), & SSA’s BPAO (Benefits Planning Assistance & Outreach) employment support services, & SSA’s Ticket to Work, Self-Employment.
• Jobs With A Future In Mind: Carving career futures and emerging global career pathways for people with mental retardation/developmental disabilities.
• Health & Wellness: Healthy & Ready to Work: Transition to Adulthood is the outcome of all outcomes. Learn how health impacts performance and identify tools and solutions over the life span that leads to a healthy and reliable employee.
• New Freedom Initiative: Successful replicable models of vocational rehabilitation that promote self-employment.

Strand Chairs: Susan Miller, Edward Suarez

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