Youth to Work Coalition (YTWC) Resources from the YTWC for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities 1

Agenda The Importance of Employment Outcomes and Self-Determination Brief introduction/Purpose of YTWC YTWC Website Overview Review Resources for Youth and Young Adults 2

 Work requires specific job skills, work ethic skills - including presence, social and communication skills, at least basic academic skills, team work, pride in work, ability to solve problems and to ask for help when needed.  Both learned helplessness and independence come from you  There is true dignity in risk but always work to learn from mistakes.  Self-determination is a learned behavior, based on experiences, attitudes and opportunities  In today’s world, individuals with disabilities are working and contributing in employment settings but the demands are high and the competition for each job is fierce. NO SILVER BULLETS Universal Truths 3 3

Where We Are Now 4 4

Employment Rates 2013 In January 2013, the percentage of people with disabilities in the labor force was 20.8% By comparison, the percentage of persons with no disability in the labor force was 68.9% US Department of Labor 5 5

Unemployment Rates 2013 In January 2013, the unemployment rate for those with disabilities was 13.7% percent, compared with 8.3% percent for persons with no disability. US Department of Labor 6 6

We have spent Billions on: Raising awareness & advocacy Policy initiatives Support services Yet, people with disabilities are still under-represented in the workforce 7 7

Why is Self-determination Important? Researchers have found that young adults with disabilities who leave school with high levels of self-determination and positive self-esteem are more likely to be: employed, with greater job benefits than their less self-determined peers satisfied with their lives live independently, or with support, outside of their family homes (Wehmeyer & Schwartz, 1997). 8 8

Strategies for Developing Self- Determination Teach the individual about their rights, accommodations and responsibilities as adults and as individuals with disabilities. Guide the individual towards solving their own problems and making their own choices/decisions. Help the individual to think about their actions and responses to situations and find ways to improve. Don’t shy away from discussing challenges associated with disability. Admit that problems exist, while pointing out other ways to do things. Arrange learning and skill-building tasks to be challenging, but not impossible—not boring or irrelevant! 9 9

Purpose of the Youth to Work Coalition (YTWC) To identify/house/organize resources (toolkits, guides, how-to-materials) that link employers and schools to create work-based learning experiences for youth and young adults with disabilities Establish and coordinate a network of experts to:  Provide TA to employers  Internships  Mentoring programs  Develop tools  Targeting employers and schools  Supporting work-based learning experiences 10

The New YTWC Website!! 11

YTWC Homepage

About Us Tab

Success Stories Tab

Timeline

Audiences Tab

Youth/Young Adult Specific Materials Career Exploration My Next Move – 17

Youth/Young Adult Specific Materials Work Sampling AccessCAREERS Resources NCWD – For Youth – based-learning/youth-familywww.ncwd-youth.info/work- based-learning/youth-family 18

Youth/Young Adult Specific Materials Service Learning National Service-Learning Clearinghouse – 19

Youth/Young Adult Specific Materials Paid Employment Talent Knows No Limits - rs.html 20

Materials for Professionals to Assist Youth and Young Adults Job Shadowing Internships Apprenticeships Mentoring 21

Questions Suggestions? Questions? 22

Contact Information Jennifer Cease-Cook National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center Chris Mielo Unbreakable Drive Michael Stoehr Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network David Test National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center 23