Career/Employment

Let’s Get Everyone to Work Videos from the Florida Development Disabilities Council (FDDC)
The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC) has developed three employment and transition videos called Let's Get Everyone to Work. Two 45-minute videos, the Resource Toolkit for Students and Families and the Teaching Toolkit for Pre-Service Professionals, discuss employment and independence strategies, high expectations, person-centered planning, and support networks for people with developmental disabilities. Twelve success stories are included in each video. The five-minute Marketing Toolkit for Employers video presents the benefits of hiring people with developmental disabilities and available employer supports. Success stories for ten "super employees" are included. To access the videos, go to the FDDC website at http://www.fddc.org/publications and scroll down to the Employment section. 

Paving the Way to Work: A Guide to Career-Focused Mentoring
http://www.ncwd-youth.info/paving-the-way-to-work
The creation of the Mentoring Guide is rooted in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy’s (ODEP) charge to find and promote the most effective research-based policies and practices to improve transition outcomes for youth with disabilities. Mentoring is recognized as one of the most important strategies for assisting youth in making a positive transition into adulthood. Despite all of the information available on mentoring, there is very little about mentoring youth with disabilities or about career-focused mentoring of older youth. This Guide was developed by the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) specifically to address the needs of youth with disabilities during their transition from school to work. This Guide is intended for individuals designing mentoring programs for youth, including youth with disabilities, in the transition phase to adulthood.

Questions & Answers about Persons with Intellectual Disabilities in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/intellectual_disabilities.cfm
“Questions & Answers about Persons with Intellectual Disabilities in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)” addresses how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to applicants and employees.  In plain, easy-to-understand language, this revised document reflects the changes to the definition of disability made by the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) that make it easier to conclude that individuals with intellectual disabilities are protected by the ADA.

Senate Bill 926 - Postsecondary Education Memorandum
http://fltpsid.info/files/SecondaryBill926L.pdf
On July 22, 2011, the Florida Department of Education issued a Memorandum that addresses Senate Bill 926. Effective July 1, 2011, Senate Bill 926 provides employers immunity for negligent or intentional acts or omission by an employee that is an individual with a developmental disability. This bill also allows supported employment providers immunity from liability for the actions or conduct of a person with a developmental disability served that occur within the scope of the person’s employment.

Work Begets Work: Ramping up Work Experiences
http://fltpsid.info/files/work_begets_work.pdf
   Monica Simonsen, PhD, Senior Research Associate, TransCen, Inc
Post-secondary education offers youth with intellectual disabilities limitless opportunities for personal growth, increased independence, and ultimately, meaningful careers after graduation.  In this keynote session, Dr. Simonsen will discuss the importance of authentic work experiences.  Participants will learn strategies for developing and expanding work opportunities for youth in Florida TPSID programs.