Kyle walker

The Utah State Office of Rehabilitation An Office of the Utah State Board of Education: Building Careers since 1921

Having a Disability in Utah…

• 64% graduation rate for Utah students with disabilities (compared to 80% total) • 12.7% unemployment rate for students with disability, compared to 5.8% for students without disability (May 2014) • 42% of students with disabilities enroll in post-secondary education as compared to 62 % of students without disabilities.

• 16% of students with disabilities earned a bachelor's degree, compared to 27% of students without disabilities.

Source: 2013 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium University of New Hampshire

The Rehabilitation Act as Amended Congress finds that— (1) millions of Americans have one or more physical or mental disabilities and the number of Americans with such disabilities is increasing; (2) individuals with disabilities constitute one of the most disadvantaged groups in society; (3) disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the right of individuals to— (A) live independently; (B) enjoy self-determination; (C) make choices; (D) contribute to society; (E) pursue meaningful careers; and (F) enjoy full inclusion and integration in the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of American society;

Rehabilitation Act (Continued) Policy It is the policy of the United States that all programs, projects, and activities receiving assistance under this Act shall be carried out in a manner consistent with the principles of— (1) respect for individual dignity, personal responsibility, selfdetermination, and pursuit of meaningful careers, based on informed choice, of individuals with disabilities; (2) respect for the privacy, rights, and equal access (including the use of accessible formats), of the individuals; (3) inclusion, integration, and full participation of the individuals; (4) support for the involvement of an individual's representative if an individual with a disability requests, desires, or needs such support; and (5) support for individual and systemic advocacy and community involvement.

U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)

Mission: To provide leadership to achieve full integration and participation in society of people with disabilities by ensuring equal opportunity and access to, and excellence in, education, employment and community living.

78.7% of Vocational Rehabilitation Program Budget

Utah State Board of Education Vision: Utah’s Public Education System is created in the state Constitution to “secure and perpetuate” freedom. Freedom, as envisioned in the Utah Constitution, is a promise to future generations that requires: • Citizen participation in civic and political affairs.

• Economic prosperity for the community.

• Strong moral and social values.

• Loyalty and commitment to constitutional government.

21.3% of Vocational Rehabilitation Program Budget

Utah State Office of Rehabilitation Mission: To assist eligible individuals with disabilities to prepare for and obtain employment and increase their independence.

Our guiding philosophy is grounded in selfsufficiency, self-determination, self-reliance, full community inclusion, choice, accessibility, independence and freedom.

More than VR  Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DSBVI)  Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH)  Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)  Division of Disability Determination Services (DDS)

Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DSBVI)          

Computer instruction & education Orientation and Mobility instruction & education Daily Living Skills instruction & education Home Repair instruction & education Adjustment to Blindness instruction & education Low Vision Screening Magnification and other Assistive Aids Preschool Vision Screening Independent Living instruction & education to older blind Utahns Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Educational & Career Guidance

Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH)         

Community Education Deaf Education & Training Hard of Hearing Education & Training Social and Recreational Activities Workshops (Financial Management, Cooking, etc.)

Daily Living Skills instruction & education Support Groups Assistive Technology Lab Interpreter Certification

Disability Determination Services  100% Federally Funded  Adjudicates Social Security Disability Claims  Conducts Continuing Disability Reviews (CDR)

Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Career & Education Programs  Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Educational & Career Guidance.  Transition from School to Careers  Disability Adjustment & Education  Rehabilitative Interventions (Capacity Building)  Self-Advocacy Education  Career Selection, Preparation, and Career Placement  Utah Center for Assistive Technology  Utah Assistive Technology Teams (Special Education)  Career Exploration Services  Utah Work Incentives Program  Business Relations (Employer Education, Advocacy, & Technical Assistance)

Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)

Education Programs (Freedom, Independence & Employment)  Independent Living Centers Pass Through Grants (IL)  Daily Living Skills instruction & education  Self-Advocacy Education  Political and Civic Involvement  Accessibility  Community Inclusion

2010 Economic Impact Study determined an ROI of $5.64 for every state dollar invested in the VR program. Source: University of Utah Center for Public Policy & Administration.

Best Practices for Careers  Specialized One on One Counseling Relationship  Individualized Assessment, Career Exploration, and Clinical Interventions (Behavioral, Motivational, Cognitive)  Post Secondary Vocational Education (Credentials Matter) 55% of Expenditures  Supported Job Based Training  Supported Employment  On-The-Job Training & Work-Based Training  Self-Employment Micro Enterprise Development  Customized Employment

Best Practices Continued     

Strategic Partnerships Benefits Planning Business Network (Chambers of Commerce) Talent Acquisition Portal Other Targeted Programs • • • • •

SWEET Program PEERS Program UDOWD Farm/Ranch AgrAbility USU Alternative State Application Program (ASAP)