Nominate a hero and join us! Community Advocates' September 30th, 2010 @ 6:30pm Do you know someone who is always giving their time and compassion towards serving individuals with developmental disabilities? Do you know an individual with a disability who is making strides in the community? Community Advocates Annual Meeting and Awards Dessert is the perfect place for these individuals to receive the credit they deserve! Nominations are due by Monday, September 20th, 2010. Award Categories include: Please send your nominations with your name and contact information, the nominee's name and contact information, and a brief description of why you believe the nominee deserves the award. Nominations should be sent to Deb Russell by drussell@communityadvocates.org 814 S. Westnedge Kalamazoo, MI 49008 Fax 269-342-4638
Annual Meeting & Awards Dessert
Monday, September 20th, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Celebrate with us!
Posted by Advocate at 9/14/2010 0 comments
Thursday, September 9, 2010
ASD and Employment
A problem that individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face is high unemployment. Individuals with disabilities are less likely to gain employment than their typical peers (Blackorby & Wagner, 1996); but, more importantly, only 15% of all individuals with ASD gain employment (Cameto et al., 2003). If trends continue, the unemployment rate of individuals diagnosed with ASD may increase as more children who are diagnosed and reach the age of employment. This problem impacts not only individuals with ASD and their families, but everyone who pays taxes as well. Typically, people with ASD who are employable, but not employed, utilize government benefits that, in turn, cost everyone. The population of individuals diagnosed with ASD reaching adulthood is increasing. Vocational Rehabilitation, a division of the Department of Rehabilitation Services, was created to assist people with disabilities in gaining and maintaining employment nationwide. The Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992 (PL 102-569) made assisting individuals with significant disabilities in gaining employment the Department's primary focus. The U.S. Department of Education and Rehabilitative Services conducted a longitudinal study (Hayward & Schmidt-Davis, 2003) revealing that 65% of applicants turned away or deemed ineligible for services by Vocational Rehabilitation fell under the classification of "significant" or "most significant" disabilities. Individuals diagnosed with ASD are categorized as persons having significant disabilities or most significant disabilities by Vocational Rehabilitation Services. One way to assist people with ASD in gaining and maintaining employment is to assist them in finding a good job match. In order for this match to be a win/win situation for the employer and for the employee understanding the needs and characteristics of the individual is vital. That's when an assessment of both is vital. Assessment of the individual Assessment of the Employer/ Job Site Thinks to think about when looking for a match Suggestions: Resources and Links: http://www.aspiritech.org/about/ http://www.autism-help.org/aspergers-syndrome-adults.htm http://www.dps.missouri.edu/Autism/Adult%20Autism%20&%20Employment.pdf http://www.brighthub.com/mental-health/autism-pdd/articles/81560.aspx
Posted by Advocate at 9/09/2010 0 comments
Labels: Autism, employment, work