Florida’s Long-Term Commitment to Advance
Employment for Individuals with Disabilities
“If no mistake
have you made,
yet losing you
are… a different
game you
should play”
Yoda
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Individuals with disabilities, like everyone,
have innate abilities, skills and aspirations to
contribute to Florida’s economy.
“Employment First” is a shared vision that
employment is the first priority and preferred
outcome for them to be successful in life.
This shared vision provides a framework for
carrying out a long-term commitment to
improving their employment outcomes.
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Start w/ a fundamental
understanding of the
employment disparity
Identify the elements to
improving outcomes
Examine how these
elements are being
applied in Florida
Understand the
implications to the
coordinated
transportation system
A Fundamental Understanding
of the Barriers
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8 in 10 did NOT
participate in U.S. labor
force in 2011
15% national
unemployment rate in
2011
6 in 10 did NOT
participate in state labor
force in 2010
24.8% state
unemployment rate in
2010
Persons with a Disability
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3 in 10 did NOT
participate in U.S. labor
force in 2011
8.7% national
unemployment rate in
2011
2 in 10 did NOT
participate in state labor
force in 2010
12.5% state
unemployment rate in
2010
Persons with No Disability
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The Commission approached this disparity as
an outcome stemming from unique “barriers.”
These barriers are largely attributable to
misperceptions of the individuals’ “inabilities”
to do the job.
This can encourage many to seek benefits
from public programs, which can further
discourage workforce participation.
These barriers prevent them from competing
on a “level playing field.”
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These barriers also represent lost
opportunities for employers.
Going by the state figures cited earlier:
◦ If individuals w/ disabilities participated at the
same level as their peers, Florida’s workforce would
expand more than 433,000 (5%).
◦ If the state unemployment rate of individuals w/
disabilities then receded to the same level as their
peers (12.5% in 2010), the number of employed
would increase just fewer than 435,000 (6%).
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This represents the untapped potential this
population offers Florida’s economy.
A Framework for Improving
Employment Outcomes
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Every economic transaction in a free market is
designed to be “win-win” for both sides.
Commission took macroeconomic approach
to help Governor Scott set a vision of job
creation for this population, which could be
carried out by various organizations.
The Commission identified 3 key elements to
creating successful outcomes:
◦ A Long-Term Commitment to Employment;
◦ Collaboration among All Players; and
◦ Outcomes Driven by the Individual’s Experience.
A Long-Term Commitment to
Employment
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State’s disability
system not conducive
for most employers to
recruit candidates and
learn about recourses.
Perceptions are driven
by information and
personal experience.
Individuals should have
firsthand work
experiences to better
compete in workforce.
1.
Identify “single-point of contact” in state gov.
to help employers navigate disability system to:
a) Find candidates w/ disabilities ready/able to work; and
b) Learn about resources that support them on the job.
2.
Adopt a long-term communications plan to:
a) Motivate employers to hire individuals w/ disabilities;
b) Promote a consistent message of awareness; and
c) Highlight resources (like “single-point of contact”) to
support their hiring needs.
3.
Promote internship/work experiences to:
a) Improve perceptions among employers; and
b) Provide candidates with skills to better compete.
Collaboration Among All Players
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Individuals and organizations that can impact the
employment of individuals, including:
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Self-Advocates and their Families;
Employers and advocates in the business arena;
Employment Development/Placement Agencies;
Human Services Agencies;
Educational Institutions; and
Provider Organizations (including transportation).
Each player contributes services/products that
can support an individual’s employment and
independent living goals.
No individual receives services in a vacuum!
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Collaboration needed
during development of
service plans, esp. during
transition process.
There also needed to be
a more coordinated
effort in communicating
with employers.
The Commission
recommended the
development of a
cooperative agreement to
facilitate collaboration
among the state players.
Outcomes Driven by the
Individual’s Experience
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Most state agencies collect/report data on
employment and similar outcomes of
individuals who receive public services.
Data on outcomes mostly used for
compliance and accountability purposes.
Individual’s experience spans a long period of
time and is impacted by numerous variables
that contribute to a particular outcome.
In order to effectively capture this experience,
data should be used beyond measures of
strict compliance…
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Present data in a way that
is “Actionable, Accurate,
and Accessible” for
decision-makers.
Longitudinal data needed
to capture individual’s
experience & identify other
variables supporting goals.
Decision-makers can use
to improve outcomes,
reduce barriers, and foster
innovation in services.
Applying the elements to
Florida’s disability
employment system
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Called for creation of
an interagency
cooperative agreement
to est. long-term
commitment to
improving outcomes.
Ensured collaboration
would be instituted
into the state agencies’
policies and programs.
Defined employment
outcomes.
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Partners formed workgroups to develop and
implement cooperative agreement.
Created a grassroots group to gather input
from the local level on various topics.
Developed the long-term communications
plan to accompany the agreement.
Supported other collaborative initiatives,
including “single-point of contact.”
Identified baseline data by each Partner
agency to develop targets for improvement.
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Five-year agreement took effect July 1, 2014.
Partners’ top priorities for Year One:
◦ Training and Technical Assistance;
◦ Strategic Goals and Operational Policies; and
◦ Interagency Collaboration.
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Encourage local agencies to develop (or
expand) Interagency Cooperative Teams.
Commission recommended Partners use
longitudinal data to improve outcomes.
Partners will provide annual performance
report to the Governor.
Improving Transportation &
Mobility to Employment
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Get involved and ensure
your staff/constituents are
informed of these efforts.
Evaluate your employmentrelated trips and outcomes.
Identify barriers and
service gaps, and identify
facilitators who can help
reduce these challenges.
Make recommendations to
our state Partners.
Become a game changer in
the jobs market…
“Humans are tool
builders, and we
build tools that
can dramatically
amplify our innate
human abilities”
Steve Jobs
Building Tools for the
Future
David Darm
David.Darm@dbs.fldoe.org