Your Next Star Campaign for employers (Massachusetts Down syndrome Congress) [link]
Wonderful website featuring strategies for hiring people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, success stories of employment, resources, frequently asked questions, and a blog about topical concerns and interesting employment news.
Benefits 101: A Guided Study of Your Own Situation [Take course for credit.]
This one hour training is an overview of how earned income may affect eligibility for an entitlement to social security disability benefits and supplemental security income.
Course Objectives
EMP 102: Important Predictors for Post-School Success:
This module describes the strongest, evidence-based correlates of post-school competitive employment for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The second part of the module discusses three additional variables related to successful transitions for students with significant disabilities, and highlights the resources available to educators and other professionals in Kentucky in putting these predictor variables into practice.
Disability Benefits 101 [link] gives you tools and information on health coverage, benefits, and employment. You can plan ahead and learn how work and benefits go together in Kentucky.
Autism Society of the Bluegrass [link]
The Autism Society of the Bluegrass can also answer questions about employment for people with autism and holds workshops about employment during the year.
Contact via the website.
Representatives at the Arc of Kentucky can answer questions about transition, direct you to resources, and offers resources on their website about employment.
Phone: 502‐875‐5225
Email: arcofky@aol.com
“Build Inclusion is a placement provider for individuals with disabilities who are seeking employment. This service can assist a candidate in finding competitive, integrated employment well-suited to individual skills, strengths, interests and talents. We start by helping to develop a person-centered employment placement (PCEP) report that is unique to each candidate. The PCEP will guide the candidate’s job exploration and development. Then, we support the placed employee for the first 90 days on the job. We look forward to discovering how you may qualify for these services!”
Phone: (859) 286-9713
Email: annette@buildinclusion.org
Down Syndrome Association of Central Kentucky [link]
“The mission of our We Work! Career Planning Initiative Program is to empower individuals with Down syndrome to utilize their strengths and abilities in a meaningful place of employment in their area of interest, earning a prevailing wage and contributing to their community. This program provides support and resources for job seekers with Down syndrome and employers, thereby ensuring teens and adults with Down syndrome become productive members of their community. By establishing high expectations and standards within our program, we will create a positive change in the way employers view people with disabilities.”
Phone: 859-494-7809
Email: dsack.org@gmail.com.
“KY-SPIN, Inc. (Kentucky Special Parent Involvement Network) is a statewide 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. The mission of KY-SPIN, Inc. is to link families and individuals with disabilities to valuable resources that will enable them to live productive, fulfilling lives.”
KY-SPIN has regional parent educators who can respond to questions in about 24 hours.
Email: spininc@kyspin.com
Phone: (502) 937-6894
Down Syndrome Louisville: Career Solutions [link]
DSL Career Solutions “takes a person-centered approach to supported employment and focuses on a person’s interests and talents and provides the necessary supports to be successfully employed on a long-term basis … Our services are provided both on and off the job site throughout an employee’s career. This program is funded through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and/or Medicaid waivers” and serves people with Down syndrome
DSL also offers classes for youth with Down syndrome who are seeking employment and individuals who are already employed and need more support.