Chapter 515 Annual Report On Integrated Employment For Individuals With Disabilities SFY 2007/08
Conclusion
While VESID is the designated State agency to coordinate integrated employment outcomes under Chapter 515, the work of the Chapter 515 Interagency Implementation Team over the past two years has demonstrated the necessity of coordination and collaboration in order to develop a person-centered approach to employment services for individuals with disabilities in New York State. In January 2008, a rare opportunity was presented to all of the stakeholders involved in the provision of supports to assist people to achieve their employment goals. The Employment Committee of the Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council (MISCC) was established with a charge to close the employment gap for individuals with disabilities and devise recommendations that are designed to promote employment and to remove barriers to employment faced by people with disabilities who want to work. The employment rate of working-age people with disabilities (ages 21-64) is 33.5% as compared to 77.9% for people without disabilities, a gap of 44.4%.
As described earlier, the MISCC Employment Committee is composed of constituent groups and advocacy organizations who are united in developing strategies that are designed to achieve these goals. The Employment Committee is identifying collaborative opportunities emerging from a shared vision and common values. Key values driving the development of these collaborative opportunities include:
- All individuals with disabilities can work when the proper supports and services are available.
- Work is a normative and expected activity for working-age individuals with disabilities and should be the first consideration when providing supports and services for people with disabilities. Integrated work in the community is the preferred option over segregated day programs.
- New York State policy needs to shift to a “make work pay” paradigm that promotes integrated employment and supports greater financial independence, while at the same time creating safety nets to ensure ongoing access to essential benefits and services that make work possible and enable individuals to achieve real gains in economic self-sufficiency.
The Employment Committee is preparing specific recommendations, including the development of an extensive cross-systems strategic plan to close the employment gap for New Yorkers with disabilities. The work of the Chapter 515 Interagency Implementation Team will only be strengthened by the recommendations made to the MISCC. This will hopefully result in individuals with disabilities making informed choices about employment options and career opportunities in the community and competitive workforce.
The State agencies will continue to enhance their collaboration and deliberate on revisions to The Supported Employment Memorandum of Understanding that can reflect a renewed commitment and higher expectations for achieving integrated employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
The Chapter 515 Interagency Implementation Team remains committed to continuous quality improvement in employment services. The Team will be conducting a survey of supported employment providers through NYISER to gain a better understanding of how to improve the program structure of supported employment. Priorities and goals will be measured and modified to respond to findings from the survey. These assessment activities will be used to align policies, training and practice to achieve the goals of the program resulting in operating a statewide comprehensive, effective and accountable program that provides vocational rehabilitation and supported employment services to individuals with disabilities, consistent with their strengths, abilities, capabilities, career interests and informed choice, so that they may prepare for and engage in employment.