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Setting Students With IEPs up for Employment Success

Friday, October 4, 2024
Photo of Gracie Thomas at her job cleaning equipment at a physical therapy office. Gracie has her hair pulled back in a high pony tail and is using a cloth and spray to clean a countertop.
Gracie Thomas now works at a physical therapy practice, cleaning the facilities. Gracie gained work experience and coaching by connecting with the Department of Workforce Development Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Photo: Think Ability.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and a great time to familiarize yourself with what school educators and staff can do to help identify students eligible for services and how to connect them with those resources.

The single most powerful thing you can do is to share the DVR referral application with students and their families.

It’s vitally important that we as educators and school staff help students and their families understand that employment is possible for people with disabilities, and connect them to the resources they need to access support. 88% of 17-year-old students with IEPs who are eligible for help preparing for employment after high school are not connected to the supports and services they need, according to the most recent Wisconsin Act 178 2024 Annual Report.

Once a student with an IEP leaves high school, they must seek out support and services that will help them be successful in their careers. That’s why it's incredibly important for us to raise awareness within our school communities to set our young people up for success. The Wisconsin Act 178 2024 Annual report demonstrates that when individuals with disabilities access support from the Department of Workforce Development’s Division of Workforce Development (DWD-DVR), they are much more likely to be competitively employed.

The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) along with the Departments of Workforce Development (DWD) and Health Services (DHS) are required by statute to work together on the implementation of a collaborative competitive integrated employment (CIE) plan and CIE outcomes.

There are many success stories which can energize us to make the connections these young people need and deserve. Think Ability Wisconsin, a nonprofit organization helping to champion competitive employment for people with disabilities, is bringing these stories to the fore. The idea is to raise awareness about the possibilities and to help people, professionals, and businesses to work past roadblocks to support competitive employment.

In a series of profiles, Think Ability introduces us to young people with disabilities who have been connected to resources, developed new skills, and found employment. Gracie Thomas, 24, of Lake Mills, started her employment journey at the age of 16, after applying for support with the DVR at age 15. Since that time, Gracie has had a variety of employment opportunities–from ushering at a movie theater to keeping the dining room clean at Culver’s– which have helped her grow her job skills and confidence. She now works at a physical therapy office cleaning the exam rooms and equipment.

Soterriah Jones wears a chef's hat and chef's jacket as she stands at her workstation at Grebe's Bakery, where she prepares donuts. She is smiling broadly and throwing peace signs with both hands.
Soterriah Jones got internships, job coaching, and employment guidance by connecting with the DVR. Image: Think Ability Wisconsin.

Soterriah Jones, 21, of West Allis, was able to intern at the Milwaukee County Zoo through Project SEARCH, an organization that connects people with disabilities with internship opportunities. “At the zoo, I learned how to use cutting utensils to cut vegetables and fruits for animals in the aviary, clean common areas, greet customers at the gift shop, stock supplies, and use a cash register with assistance from my supervisor. I also learned how to use cue cards to express my emotions and let my supervisor know when I started to feel overwhelmed. I would break for a few minutes and then return to work.”

During her internship at the zoo, she was connected with DVR, who paid for a job coach to help her at the zoo, and a job developer to help her find a job after the internship was over. She now works at Grebe’s bakery, making donuts.

She says, “I love making donuts but do not like getting flour all over my uniform! I have learned to follow recipes and listen to instructions. I can teach you how to roll dough out for donuts! I love earning money to buy books, go bowling, see movies, get Starbucks, and shop at Bath and Body Works. I feel proud, successful, and glad that I have my job at Grebe’s Bakery. Having this job makes me feel like a contributing member of society. Working helps me to learn to be a
responsible adult.”

To read more about Competitive Integrated Employment, you can view the Act 178 2024 annual report. To connect a student or family with the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, visit their website.

For more information about how your school and district can increase the number of students able to access these services, reach out to Alicia Reinhard, DPI Transition and Graduation Consultant.