Making Employment the Priority February 2015. Mission....to create opportunities that support people with disabilities to reach, grow, and achieve.

Making Employment the Making Employment the PriorityPriority

February 2015February 2015

Mission....to create opportunities Mission....to create opportunities that support people with disabilities that support people with disabilities

to reach, grow, and achieve.to reach, grow, and achieve.

A bit about our story...A bit about our story...

Providing quality services for more than 60 years and finding real employment opportunities for people for more than 30 years!

Longtime partner with DRS!

Closed our sheltered workshop in 2003.

Created a Community Learning Center (CLC) model.

Expanded view of employment, such as micro-businesses and opportunities throughout our CLCs.

Innovative models... menu program, customized employment, Monarch Services. BIP IPS model.

Some exciting stats!Some exciting stats!

January 2014-Jaunary 2015

We have supported 193 people to find employment.

We have 62 new employers on board.

People work on average 20 hours per week at $10.15 per hour.

Employment = Power!Employment = Power!

The #1 question adults are asked... What do you do? (We all know that does not mean what you do in your free time.)

Have high expectations!

Employment raises our confidence, self esteem, and gives us a sense of pride!

A little money in the pocket makes everyone happy!

Employment FirstEmployment First

Illinois has join over 20 other states!

Our system will be rebalanced to place greater coordinated emphasis on employment.

For adults, regardless of abilities, employment supports will be the first option (not the only option).

This will take awhile...so let’s talk about now!

HB2591- Employment HB2591- Employment FirstFirst

IDEA...IDEA...

A thought, plan, or suggestion about what to do;

An opinion or belief;

Something that you imagine or picture in your mind.

ADAADAAmericans with Disabilities ActAmericans with Disabilities Act

Broadly addresses discrimination as it relates to the recruitment of QUALIFIED applicants, regardless of a disability.

"Reasonable Accommodation" really becomes the issue.

Basically means to adjust or modify the application process or way in which the work is completed to the extent that it is "reasonable".

EEOCEEOCEqual Employment Opportunity Equal Employment Opportunity

CommissionCommission

The governmental body that provides oversight and due process to discrimination, as is applies to the ADA and/or the Civil Rights Act.

It is never a good idea to begin a partnership with the employer by twisting their arm with the ADA or EEOC.

PartnershipPartnership

At Ray Graham Association we look to have productive and

positive partnership with families throughout the job search and process to ensure stability and

success.

How do people find How do people find employment?employment?

"I get by with a little help from my friends, …., I am going to try with a little help from

my friends." --- The Beatles

Start building your child’s social

capital sooner rather than later!

Networking…it works.Networking…it works.

41% of job seekers found employment through networking! - Source: Right Management 2010 survey of 59,000 clients

Families must be willing to use their own connections, whether or not there is a partnership with DRS and/or

an organization like RGA.

Who knows you? (not necessarily who you know)

Who is in your Who is in your network?network?

Friends

Relatives

Co-workers

Teachers

Classmates

Friends of Friends

Just because you are connected with an

organization like RGA, it does not meant that

you will not be asked to use your network. This is how people find jobs, regardless of the fact

that they have a disability.

Networking should happen Networking should happen everywhere!everywhere!

Who knows me in my neighborhood?

Who knows me through school (my kid’s school or my school(s))?

Who knows me because of my travels to and from work?

Who knows me where I shop, get my hair cut, and other places where I am a customer?

Who knows me at my work?

Who knows me through my service work, church, or hobbies that I have?

Creating a NetworkCreating a NetworkHome Work Community School Other

Relatives Uncle BobCEO

Company X

Friends Sally SueWorks for the

Lisle Chamber

Laura Reynolds

PTA PresidentBuilta

Co-Workers Marky MarkSister is

Volunteer Coord at

Good Sam

Leaders Mike MichaelPres of Naper

Rotary

Teachers Mrs. SmithGood

connection at the YMCA

How does it all come How does it all come together?together?

Classic Cinemas Classic Cinemas