What's the Game Plan? Postsecondary considerations for young adults with disabilities

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Thanks to Concord Academy in Memphis, for hosting this event on March 22, 2012. This slidedeck has a lot of updated statistics on postsecondary and workforce participation by young adults with disabilities. Please reference the note pane view for this PPT presentation, as it contains narrative linking the slides together.

Posted by Life Development Institute on What’s the Game Plan? Postsecondary considerations for young adults with disabilities

Adult Asperger's syndrome in the Workplace

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Posted by Life Development Institute on Adult Asperger’s syndrome in the Workplace: Common issues & practical interventions

Every now and then, one catches a glimpse of a world where people willingly come together to improve life  for individuals with disabilities- and every condition is welcomed & included.

There is such a place in Istanbul, Turkey. I mean, come on! What’s not to like when you see a huge billboard of World Disability Union (WDU)  President Metin Sentuk welcoming the world when I arrived at the  airport??!!

My recent trip to Istanbul, Turkey, as an invited USA delegate to the WDU General Assembly brings me renewed hope for the millions of persons who have learning disabilities, ADHD, Asperger’s, TBI or other “hidden disabilities.” These are real persons being left behind ; whose needs go unanswered due to not considered being part of the ” most significantly disabled.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4XaXA1B2hs

Although Turkey was one of the first countries to become a signator of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) in 2005, like most countries, little of substance had been initiated to bring forward systemic reforms such as  employment, universal design of housing, and embracing the concepts of barrier-free communities.

This has started to change since the administration of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan began reform efforts in earnest in 2009.  According to Families & Social Policies Minister Fatima Sahin, employment and home health care services for persons with disabilties in Turkey have more than doubled since 2009. Obviously, much more needs to be done locally, as well as everywhere in the world.

The WDU is openly supported at every level of Turkish government & business communities. This is the first international organization I have been involved with, that welcomes individuals with any kind of disability, local organizations, national associations, and interenational organizations to its membership. This is truly an inclusive “Big Tent”,  where I arrived as a delegate from a foriegn country and left as a honored friend from another part of the world. Building community is good, and reduces feelings of isolation, being different, or just being lonely.

In the US, policy makers and program planners use a binary (serve these groups, but not these others) or triage-type of selection process (save only those who need it most).  It has long been a country where states and agencies have had to pick certain disability groups over other to fund/serve.

It is based on  the illusion that services for people with disability is  all about high costs, fraud or entitlements, rather than being part of making strategic investments or creating opportunities for collaborative leveraging of  public/private partnerships to create an expanded workforce and taxpayer base.

After almost 30 years working towards creating true community for PwD, I needed to see or really get a sense that true progress on inclusion of hidden/non-apparent disability groups was happening anywhere.

At the WDU General Assembly, I got a necessary, ADHD-size dose of renewed commitment, spiritual strength, heightened reality, and many new members of an extended family!

Delegations from 6 continents and 65 countries representing all disability types & organizations met in Istanbul, Turkey on October 22-23, 2011 for the World Disability Union General Assembly. This Congress (annual meeting) had as its focus ”Universal Design”, and the theme of the event was “We know no barriers!”

The purpose of the meeting was to ratify the Constitution for its filing as an international NGO,  hold elections and nominate members to various commissions to begin work on an ambitious 4 year plan. The delegates were able to accomplish these tasks, find common ground, and accomplish in less than two days, what the world has not yet begun.

The process for approval takes 9 months,  involved review of over 5600 Turkish laws, and when accredited by the UN in 2014, makes the WDU only the 5th global organization for PwD to be recognized by this world body. I was elected to the High Board of Directors, Commission for Education and Employment, and Commission on Disability Rights Reseach and Strategy Development. Good pictures of the event are on their Facebook page.

There are 14 commissions covering the major areas of disability quality of life, and at this writing,  are just putting together the work plan for the next year. Although there are a fixed number of commission members, this is really an effort that welcomes and needs people from all parts of the disability world/community. If interested in making a difference, please contact  me at our email or the WDU directly at: info@whf.org.tr.

Posted by Life Development Institute on World Disability Union: New global organization dedicated to barrier-free life for LD, ADHD, NVLD, Autism & Asperger’s

• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-10-23 http://t.co/bG4WULFs #
• Unpacking my bag & brain from World #Disability Union General Assembly in Istanbul 65 countries met committed to …http://twitter@2011wdu.com #
• Digesting experience of being part of World #Disability Union- 65 countries find common ground 2 ratify Constitution 4 barrier-free world #
• Put some pictures to share from World Disability Union
  http://t.co/nXHikokT #
• World Disability Union General Assembly October 22-23, 2011 http://t.co/GNbkfGQj #
• World Disability Union General Assembly October 22-23, 2011 http://t.co/8YuHygsR #
• Buying sugar skulls for Ofrenda to my relatives @Dia de los Muertos http://t.co/mGKQDV13 #

Posted by Life Development Institute on Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-10-30

Delegates came to Istanbul representing 6 continents & 65 countries in order to establish the World Disability Union and a global Congress addressing Universal Design. They left as friends, relatives and colleagues dedicated to our motto “WE KNOW NO BARRIERS!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4XaXA1B2hs

Posted by Life Development Institute on World Disability Union General Assembly October 22-23, 2011

• Going to Istanbul in a couple of hours as US delegate for World #Disability Union. Follow tweetfeed @2011wdu. http://t.co/JbpFlAzD #
• Global Network for #Entrepreneurs with #Disabilties wrote a throughtful post about our work. Thanks for the expression…http://t.co/9mSDHh6z #
• Made it to Istanbul, but my bag didn't! Please follow @2011wdu #
• 65 countries, 6 continents meet in Istanbul at World #Disability Union- We Know No
  Barriers! #
• Delegations begin to arrive @2011wdu http://t.co/4bBekL67 #
• Some early accessibility issues for wheelchair users at WDU- conference staff did not make aisles wide enough for them to pass! #
• Opening remarks from Vodafone Foundation of Turkey welcomes delegates @2011wdu #
• Enjoying musical performances of virtuosity by Pwd @2011wdu #
• WDU President Metin Senturk sets the agenda and thanks the @2011wdu team #
• Building community and sharing lives through common cause @2011wdu #
• US Ambassador to Turkey shares that 1 billion global citizens live with #disability @2011wdu #
• US Ambassador talks about culture shifts to look at talents/skills of PwD http://t.co/0gGzv4c3 @2011wdu #
• Wish everyone could see cross-cultural cross #disability audience from around the world – totally inspiring and now is our time! @2011wdu #
• As people with #disabilities ,we must now work on our own equality and human rights to ensure our societies rise to highest level @2011wdu #
• Governor of Istanbul- whole world needs to cooperate more & share its energy in making life better for people with #disabilities @2011wdu #
• Minister Fatima Sahin-Its all about countries working together to improve their social capital for people with #disability @2011wdu #
• 500K people with #disabilities in Turkey now receive home care representing an investment of 1 billion Turkish Lira @2011wdu #
• Most difficult handicap for the #disabled is ignorance of most o the world @2011wdu #
• WDU vice president Necdet Ozturk shares upcoming projects to be conducted in next 5 years. http://t.co/lU5Mbs8D #
• Tremendous media exposure at the World #Disability Union General Assembly- more than 15 countries shooting live footage @2011wdu #
• Izet Bozturk- All disabled people have the same rights as everyone & we are dedicated to this cause @2011wdu #
• Nursel Atar reviews Turkish legal basis for the establishment of an international organization (5600 Turkish statutes) @2011wdu #
• Necdet Ozturk explains selection process for Board, etc. w/b based on skill sets, having #disability and gender equality @2011wdu #
• Necedet Ozturk: Each country can have limitless NGO's participate, in World #Disability Union @2011wdu- find out how http://t.co/YmbZOrk5 #
• Important point: Real persons with disabilities m/b able to speak for themselves, not just have an organization talk for them @2011wdu #
• RT @hnadim: King Abdulla of Jordan: the arab region needs 85 million new jobs w/highest youth unemployment rate in the world. #ITU #ictqatar #
• RT @johnlittle: @GlobalEWD RobCrawford at World #Disability Union Conf @wdu2011 in Istanbul. Much 2 achieve but RC will show them how #
• So grateful that Necdet helped us get past bylaws issues @2011wdu #
• Nominations for World #Disability Union Board & commissions about to begin @2011wdu #
• Slate of officers for World #Disability Union General Assembly being voted on :Rob Crawford from USA nominated Board of Directors @2011wdu #
• Note for future: Spending too much time on minutae-probably consider using Robert's Rules of Order to avoid procedural quagmires @2011wdu #
• Chair and Vice Chairs of World #Disability Union General Assembly elected! @2011wdu #
• New Board of Supervisors for World #Disability Union General Assembly approved @2011wdu #
• World #Disability Union General Assembly interim Board of Directors approved. @2011wdu #
• Starting to ballot for World #Disability Union General Assembly special commissions & committee @2011wdu-very comprehensive and exciting! #
• Urbano Stenta gives us a good history lesson on how #disability almost excluded from international standards for universal design @2011wdu #
• #WHO believes prevalance rates of #disability now include 1.180 billion global citizens. @2011wdu #
• World Disability Union will become, upon UN accreditation in 2014, only 5th such global #disability organization. @2011wdu #
• Hircan Ozalp on how universal design for people with #disability is core component of Maltepe University Architecture program @2011wdu #
• http://t.co/VIqLYiSM #disability #accessibility @2011wdu #
• RT @LDIinAZ: http://t.co/VIqLYiSM #disability #accessibility @2011wdu Creating barrier free world for PwD! #
• Eva Kasim discusses human development aspects of poverty and parameters of #disability @2011wdu #
• 26,000 people annually acquire #disability due to having amputations from landmines in conflict zones. @201wdu #
• Betsy Valnes shares great content on how to enable full participation/accessibility beyond traditional means of UD measurements. @2011wdu #
• UD standards outside traditional measures:language/presentation style meeting methods/manner /location #accessibility #disability @2011wdu #
• http://t.co/dzgfxkoa great accessibility checklist @2011wdu #accessibility #disability #
• Evren Enginoz gives @2011wdu audience great example of barrier-free model housing. #disability #accessibility #universal design #
• Election results in for Board/Commissions of World Disability Union: Fantastic global representation! @2011wdu #disabilty #accessibility #
• Watching live, broadcast on Turkish television as President Senturk @2011wdu shares successful launch of global #disability organization #
• How cool is it to receive public kudos about having #disability ! & being part of a Global Union of people with #disabilities @2011wdu #
• Just finished panel on how 2 do #accessible #employment audits 4 ppl w/ #disability @2011wdu BTW,wearing Aussie opal cufflinks @johnlittle! #
• #Paralympic Sports Association of #Canada @2011wdu gr8 presentation re grassroots org of 2 staff making huge difference 4 ppl w/#disability #

Posted by Life Development Institute on Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-10-23

• Interesting conference in Washington DC on "Race, Ethnicity & Disabilities: State of the Science"-information thru the…http://t.co/khx5uEvN #
• LDI Tour http://t.co/gpXRo34P #
• LDI Tour http://t.co/uV0YxkhJ #
• Student Life at LDI http://t.co/tHBF6QcZ #
• The White House hosting state-specific calls to discuss the American Jobs Act & FY 2012 budget on October 12-14. Join the Arizona American … #
• I was able to ask WH rep today how workers with #disabilities are specifically included in the #American Jobs Act. Sho…http://t.co/jXSkOUlT #
• Experiential Learning http://t.co/Msz0CHtd #
• Experiential Learning http://t.co/m0K0Titk #
• White House doing state calls for public input re the American Jobs Act-dates/details on link for your state. Had…: http://t.co/j1idEXuJ #

Posted by Life Development Institute on Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-10-16

A series of US Senate hearings chaired by Sen. Tom Harkin of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee is literally reshaping the nature of the debate, recognition, and ultimately, funding of services /benefits for adults with disabilities as well as the aging American workforce.

The most recent HELP committee hearing on September 15, 2011, centered on the subject of the “Future of Employment for People with the Most Significant Disabilities”, which can be watched through clicking on this link.

So, if the Disabled are finally gaining the hard-won recognition of being important enough for our government to do some long-range policy planning,  develop dedicated programs, and commit funding -why the concern over this terminology?

From what I have read, watched, and discussed with others of the proceedings- adults, advocates, and families should become familiarized, alarmed, and energized over who is going to be considered disabled enough (channeling my Schindler’s List emotions) to get on “ The Good List.”

According to a study published in 2009 on Conducting and Benchmarking Inclusive Employment Policies, Practices, and Culture, because employees with disabilities who become employed face important disparities such as lower pay and less job security, training, and participation in decisions relative to non-disabled employees, further systematic research is needed to understand the complex nature of employability for persons with disabilities. This study does not speak to specific conditions that are more or less significant/difficult to successfully transition into the company’s culture.

For a prospective job seeker who also happens to have LD, ADHD, NVLD, or Asperger’s, one of the more important considerations in determining if the targeted company is a good fit is to assess how strong a match exists between each party in terms of what each seeks in filling the position.

Usually, the better the “fit”, the better the chances are for successful placement, adjustments, retention, and growth for all parties working together.  A fair question to ask of all levels of government then, is how do program planners and policy maker’s “culture” – values, norms, policies, and practices—facilitate or hinder the employment of people with disabilities?

The answer to this question is crucial, as demonstrated by the continuing and chronic low employment rate of people with disabilities—less that 30% of Americans with disabilities age 21-64 were employed in August 2011, compared to 75% of Americans without disabilities (BLS, 2011).

By apparently excluding persons with learning disabilities, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and NVLD as having conditions that are not considered significantly limiting to a person’s ability to navigate the daily activites of life, Congressional and other governmental policy makers are out of sync with the ADA, IDEA, and Section 504- all of which acknowledge that individuals with these conditions are protected by an array of civil rights that will be trampled on, should people with these disabilities not be formally recognized, funded, or included in any future or pending initiatives.

Traditionally, one of the most important resources for adults with these high incidence, hidden disabilities has been the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR to most) and its national network of vendors, service providers, and funded support to help jump start the careers of many young and not-so-young adults who have always been considered to have serious or significant disabilities that impact their functional performance.

DVR has been on an Order of Selection since the Clinton administration left the White House, and part of the genesis of being “most” significantly disabled came from this agency to allow it to serve some of its clients. If adults with LD, ADHD, ASD, and NVLD are either not recognized as stand alone conditions or eligible for federally funded services, the states will follow suit (already have for the last 10 years) and only identify, recognize, and find eligible a much smaller and easier to fund minority of all persons who have disabilities. It is not the purpose of this post to debate the budgetary situational ethics behind a much wider goal of getting PwD off of public assistance programs and into the workforce.

So, if our government at all levels, is not planning on or does not have hard data on the existence of persons with disabilities not thought to be “most significant”, where do the millions of Americans who have these conditions, want to work, and can work go to find justice?

There will be less or us to identify (already happening under NCLB) and in reality, no one can produce recent, broad research-based studies or statistics collected by the states on adult outcomes for those with hidden disabilities. This has huge, potentially negative implications in the workplace where disclosure carries unacceptable risks for many looking for work and a nightmare for HR professionals who have to determine who is and is not disabled, under the law.

How our well-intentioned civic and governmental leaders do in providing evidence-based data that justifies their exclusion of so many otherwise qualified people with disabilities without speaking to the needs, concerns, and issues of all people with disabilities in a fair and equitable way

Posted by Life Development Institute on Why labels matter: On the new importance of being considered “most significantly disabled.”

The growing worldwide recognition of Asperger’s Syndrome (AS), Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not-Otherwise-Specified(PDD-NOS) and Non-verbal Learning Disability (NLD) as distinct conditions which persist throughout the lifespan has resulted in an explosion of social media, services and programming aimed at  teens/young adults seeking successful transitions into the community, work, and higher education.  With  this increased recognition,  people with these disabilities should be able to expect to more easily affirm their diagnostic identity among clinicians, and practitioners right?

Identity Crisis: Who am I after DSM-V is implemented?

The American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) publication of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) in May, 2013  will render the conditions of Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, and Non-verbal Learning Disability as historical footnotes-similar to quaint terms like minimal brain dysfunction and hyperkinesis-since these conditions are not to be included in the newest version. DSM-V is considered and used as the most reliable resource of commonly accepted diagnostic criteria for psychiatric diagnoses among clinicians, insurance companies, educational institutions, and public-funded programs. All interested parties will have an opportunity to weigh in on the proposed changes. The American Psychiatric Association posted the working group’s final proposal on all diagnostic criteria  (including ASD) on the diagnostic manual’s Web site in January and until June 15, 2011, invite comments from the public.

AS, ADHD, NLD, LD and PDD-NOS are all examples of high prevalence, neurologically-based developmental disorders which affect the way the brain processes information. As “hidden disabilities”, these conditions are based on a cluster of observable symptoms due to brain abnormalities, not emotional trauma. It is well-known that many people with these disorders generally have average to superior intelligence and above average verbal ability, yet have significant difficulty with job performance and social interactions. Because American culture values social competence above knowledge or intelligence, such deficits often cause individuals significant, life-long challenges in relationships, work, and other socially demanding pursuits.

In recent years, these diagnoses  have become increasingly common. Much of the growing prevalence of autism spectrum disorders, according to many sources, is statistically significant for Asperger’s and other mild forms of the disorder. If the APA guidelines as written become part of the final DSM-V, AS and PDD-NOS  will be folded into a single broad diagnosis, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) — a category that the APA will attempt to encompass autism’s entire range, or spectrum, from high-functioning to profoundly disabling.

NLD, initially thought to be a valid, disabling condition that would be included in the final DSM-V, will not gain recognition as a separate and distinct coded disorder. While there is no pending entry for NLD in DSM-V, people with this disorder, clinicians, practitioners and researchers are still debating what exactly constitutes the disorder. These debates and a continuing lack of large sample, empirical studies have made coming up with a definition difficult and arbitrary.  According to a wonderfully written article by Yvonna Fast, the condition is still uncommon and misunderstood, because it’s not a disorder that causes people to be nonverbal. Rather, Fast says people with NLD have a diminished ability for learning information that is presented non-verbally. NLD has been defined as a specific neuro-psychological profile, and presents as a syndrome with certain strengths and weaknesses tied to the underlying cause, alleged to be white matter damage in the right side of the brain. (Rourke, 1995 ; Thompson, 1997)

With respect to validating the conditions of AS,NLD, and PDD-NOS, the push to refine current psychiatric nosology that can produce diagnostic criteria and disorder categories which keeps pace with advances in neuroscience while at the same time enhance clinical utility seems to be at the basis of this particular identification issue. Greater recognition is devoted to what are known as dimensional aspects of psychiatric disorders. APA work group committees are seeking to improve understanding of the boundaries between disorders and underscore the heterogeneous nature of psychopathology.

A recently released book called The Conceptual Evolution of DSM-5  provides a framework for the evolution of the forthcoming diagnostic system in the DSM-V which, the APA believes, will help advance clinical practice and facilitate ongoing development of diagnostic criteria as well as refine research approaches that will guide clinical trials, genetics, imaging, and treatment guidelines.

The authors provide the following insights:

• Detailed descriptions of age-, gender-, and culture-specific aspects relevant to psychiatric diagnosis and the need for sensitivity to these factors when making diagnoses
• Discussions on the dimensional aspects of mental disorders, including overlapping symptoms relevant to many or most diagnoses
• Consideration of alternative classifications of disorders that recognize disorders sharing validating features
• Presentation of neuroscientific and epidemiological evidence to expand understanding of disorders beyond that of the categorical organization presented in DSM-IV
• A review of clinical implications, including how clinicians may shift their conceptualization of previously viewed diagnostic criteria and their consequences.

Can you diagnose me now?

So, to the casual eye, this reorder of diagnostic categories is a progressive approach that considers disabilities from a lifespan continuum with co-occuring issues or symptoms, such as food allergies or other health-related problems, which need to be concurrently considered and treated. The reader is directed to look specifically at the neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive categories in the new DSM-V for further information.

Combine these changes with health care reform, eligibility for government-funded programming, and shortfalls in disability-related programming/services and it is easy to see that if you want to be a person with a recognized disability, you better be on the DSM-V “good list”, or you may not exist or be helped by insurance companies, public-funded programming, educational settings, or employers.

It may make it easier, in some cases, to get an updated diagnosis if you have  a mental health condition (e.g. ASD, ADHD, depression), which do not require much more than a clinical interview with an MSW, LPC, or Master’s level psychologist. For those with cognitive disorders, you are still stuck getting an expensive, test-based diagnostic done by a MD, Ph.D, or neuropsychologist, and then no certainties. The best rule of thumb will be to use the KISS principle, especially for employers, where a disability is a disability is a… you get the idea.

According to a NY Times article on the topic of proper diagnoses, the main reason that AS and PDD-NOS will not get a separate category is a lack of empirical evidence to distinguish them as such. The conclusion reached by the APA Autism work group is that it is better to have no subcategories and wait for reliable research to yield reliable, specific Autism biomarkers than to persist in recognition of conditions that do not exist. The APA’s  position creates some difficulties in accepting this pronouncement when some of the new DSM-V conditions being considered include internet addiction, seasonal affective disorder, and Male-to-Eunuch Gender Identity Disorder! Check out the article for some quotes from the article that many people familiar with the conditions might find at fault!

About those genetic markers…

Voices from the Aspie and NLD communities have their own take on these developments. Rather than take up space writing in detail, check out these forums that bring up excellent points about eligibility, how people identify with current labels, and that without inclusion of these labels, it will be difficult to expect that the research database that can result in evidence-based practices, insurance coverage, and other civil rights protections will result in improved quality of life outcomes for adults with these disorders.

An article released on June 1, 2011,  by the Journal of the American Medical Associationcautions the scientific community against an over-reliance on using rsearch studies that attempt to demonstrate casual links between specific diseases and biological markers or genes. Scientists reviewed articles published in 24 of the most highly cited biomedical journals- and only articles with over 400 citations. They then searched for subsequent meta-analyses which had the same biomarker and the same outcome, published between 1991 and 2006. The biomarkers that were highly cited in those studies included blood biomarkers, infectious agent biomarkers, blood proteins, and genetic risk factors.  The links are habitually exaggerated,unrealistically overstated, and generally do not hold up in larger studies. This is the cautionary tale part of waiting for reliable biomarker research to catch up for adults who live with Asperger’s, NLD, and PDD-NOS as this particular article shows over 85% of these highly cited studies are not reliable due to having false-positive and exaggerated results. The  article goes on to state that discoveries made in these studies often significantly overestimate the findings seen from meta-analyses, especially in being able to appreciate the discriminating ability of these emerging risk factors. 

This makes an  empirical basis for making long term predictions about outcome is lacking for individuals with autism spectrum disorders especially adults with the condition. Dr. Harry H. Wright,  noted in a APA Autism conference that there are no guidelines for making a diagnosis of ASD in adults and that examples are needed for the various autism criteria. Dr. Wright also notes that this may be a particular issue for African-American families who are typically referred at a later age than their Caucasian counterparts.

At all times, it is critical for those who believe that people with these conditions should expect full inclusion into any aspect of society, that their condition has a name and diagnostic characteristics which enable them to obtain services, advocacy, and recognition amongst their peers in the world. When new language is introduced that changes the playing field to such a dramatic extent that the DSM-V will (quite a lot of the revisions are very good), we must take a stand to protect ourselves and those we care about who will be impacted by the unintended consequences that will take years to work through or change.

Many states (e.g. AZ, TX, CA) that do not recognize or serve adults with Asperger’s, but will for ASD. There will still be a need to develop the support networks of services/providers to help transition people to less restrictive life/work settings. It will be more incumbent than ever for adults currently identified with AS,NLD, and PDD-NOS to develop self-accommodation strategies and an even greater need to create/expand appropriate programs/services to help them develop functional competentcies relative to the setting and person.

Please contact the APA and make your comments before June 15, 2011!

Posted by Life Development Institute on DSM-V to exclude Asperger’s, PDD-NOS & NLD in 2013; wait, what?

As a country, Americans for the past two generations have come to expect that when young adults complete/graduate high school, they automatically begin their journey into adulthood by getting a job, saving money, moving out, or continuing their education in a postsecondary school or program. This pathway has not automatically been the case for families of young adults with disabilities,  most of whom are more focused during the latter high school years getting their sons and daughters successfully through the academic standards of earning a diploma and only then begin to truly focus on the other aspects of what experiences are needed to become  a successful adult after leaving the secondary school system.

While finding work, making money, and getting out of the parents house ASAP are still common post-high school goals for most young adults without disabilities, news posted previously on this blog shared the alarming rates of both under and unemployment of otherwise qualified people who have “mild” disabilities such as Asperger’s Syndrome, Non-verbal Learning Disabilities, or ADHD whom have lost their jobs, are not able to find new employment, or can’t keep a job at nearly seven times higer than the rates for same-age non-disabled peers.

Tax credit and special education voucher programs

For individuals with disabilities in high school or public agency programs (Vocational Rehabilitation, Medicaid Infrastructure Grant Programs, State Workforce Development Programs), there are now a number of state legislative bodies who have approved what amounts to a special education voucher program. These voucher or tax credit programs enable the student and parents to take monies that would otherwise be used for traditional public school special education services, and find what they believe is more appropriate for personal employment, life skill, and community issues/needs. There is ample information to be found here regarding arguements/benefits  and limitations/opposition to funding these types of options.

Arizona’s recently signed-into-law  voucher program SB 1553 Arizona Empowerment Account, obligates the state to place into a student personal account public funds equal to 90% of the amount of state aid that otherwise would be computed for the student. This can range from $5,000 per year for students with “mild” disabilities (LD,Autism, Intellectual Disability, Emotional Disability) up to $30,000 for pupils in the “Group B” category (Blind/Visually impaired, Deaf/hard of hearing, medically disabled).

These funds could be used for a family to find an appropriate young adult program approved by the state to provide the services and supports necessary for the student on an IEP to have time to learn, practice, and achieve improved levels of adult functional performance through community-based special education agencies or accredited schools prior to graduating.

 One local example of how this could be implemented within a public school district, is the Scottsdale Team 7 program for working-age teens with autism spectrum disorders where job skills and summer employment are provided and paid for via school/student recycling of metals & paper products to cover salaries and expenses.  Just imagine if there was a funding mechanism that allowed for the financial leveraging and collaborative development of programs and services between public school districts and private area providers!

A recent article by the NY Times used a  5%  figure to establish  what economists say is the lowest natural and sustainable rate of unemployment. Is it possible, the Times asks, that the turmoil of the last few years has affected the natural rate of unemployment — increasing it permanently to 8 or even 9 percent? Such a climb would imply that the prospects for a rebound in output and employment have been greatly reduced — and that high unemployment would be our new normal. This, according to the article’s author,  is implicitly the view of some Federal Reserve policy makers, who say that there is nothing more the central bank can do to lower unemployment. And it’s the view of those who say “structural” factors are the main cause of our current high unemployment, which in April 2011, stood at 8.8 percent for working-age adults without disabilities, while more than 2/3′s of all adult Americans with disabilities continue to remain unemployed.

There is now enough labor market data being formally gathered through federal efforts and charitable foundation-funded studies to paint a clearer picture of how hard it is for people with disabilities (in particular), to find their economic footing during this period of economic recession and recovery. Senator Tom Harkin noted in a recent speech to the US Chamber of Commerce, that this recession has seen 10 times the number of job losses experienced by PwD than any other demographic group.

Although it is encouraging that greater public and government attention is being given to how unemployment among young people with disabilities large impacts  the country and economy, no metric exists to measure the emotional impact to each person who lives with conditions called disabilities that no matter what they try to do, no one seems to be able to help or hear their issues.

Great care should be exercised by any party who would promote changing funding formulas based on disability prevelance, severity, and specific costs. Improving and increasing special education transition program options and funding in and of itself, is a critical issue. Making sure that funding is inclusive of all recognized disabling conditions and that programming is appropriate to that person/disability is a yet to be achieved goal we can all work towards.

Posted by Life Development Institute on State Special Education Voucher Programs: What is available for students with Asperger’s Syndrome and NLD?