An Introduction to An Introduction to Vocational RehabilitationVocational Rehabilitation

How the Vocational RehabilitationHow the Vocational Rehabilitation

System Works in LouisianaSystem Works in Louisiana ……helping people with disabilities achieve employmenthelping people with disabilities achieve employment

An Introduction to An Introduction to Vocational RehabilitationVocational Rehabilitation

How the Vocational RehabilitationHow the Vocational Rehabilitation

System Works in LouisianaSystem Works in Louisiana ……helping people with disabilities achieve employmenthelping people with disabilities achieve employment

Welcome!Welcome!

As you view this presentation, please think about the following:

• Does my disability affect my ability to get or keep a job?

• Am I interested in going to work?

• Who could would benefit from these services?

Programs and ServicesPrograms and Services

LRS has programs and services that help participants

go to work (unemployment is the real problem, for many of our clients)

live in their homes and community (even if work is not a goal)

Some or all services may be no-charge, based on income level and severity of the disability

“LRS opened the doors of opportunity to let me reach my goals. Actually, I had opportunities I never expected to get. I received great support from my LRS counselors…”

Medical Records Trainee

New Orleans, Louisiana

Opening Doors to EmploymentOpening Doors to Employment

LRS can help you explore work by helping you with:

choosing a career employment training and education finding and keeping a job job coaching job accommodations assistive technology services

Opening Doors to EmploymentOpening Doors to Employment (continued)(continued)

• Choosing a Career

LRS staff (Counselors, Evaluators, REDS)

have the experience needed to assist persons

with disabilities explore career options.

Work is MORE than the 6 F’s (Food, Filing,

Folding, Filth, Flowers, and Fetching) – the

“traditional” jobs given to disabled workers

• Employment, Training, and Education Services Many employment training programs are

available (usually 2 year programs – College and Technical Training)

Employee development training may be arranged, if needed

LRS may pay for books and tools

Opening Doors to EmploymentOpening Doors to Employment (continued)(continued)

"(LRS) gave me the opportunity to receive an education, which now allows me to support myself and my children without assistance from the State."

LRS consumer(in response to a customer satisfaction survey)

• Finding and keeping a job

LRS staff and vendors can help you develop job seeking skills

LRS staff will follow-up with you for at least 90 days after you begin your new job.

Job coaches teach work skills and proper work behaviors (In-house and Vendor services are available)

Opening Doors to EmploymentOpening Doors to Employment (continued)(continued)

My Job – Bridging the GAPMy Job – Bridging the GAP

The National Percentage of people of WORKING AGE that are EMPLOYED:

• Non-Disabled: 80% are working• Disabled: 37% that desire work are working

(many at levels beneath their skills/abilities)

I am swimming upstream, against “disability stereotypes”– and attempting to build bridges

between local businesses and qualified employees with disabilities

• Job Accommodations / Assistive Technology

Computer Adaptations

Job Site Modifications

Vehicle Modifications

Modified Work Hours or Job Tasks

Opening Doors to EmploymentOpening Doors to Employment

“Being able to work is wonderful. Making money is great - it gives me a lot of independence. LRS was a tremendous help. I couldn’t have been able to work if it wasn’t for them. First there was the computer skills course I needed to take…. Then they helped adapt my worksite to my current abilities!”

Office Clerk

Baton Rouge Area

• Medical Rehabilitation Services while preparing for Employment

Short-term Counseling

Visual Aids

Prosthetics

Hearing Aids

Opening Doors to EmploymentOpening Doors to Employment (continued)(continued)

• Other Support Services that may be available while searching for Employment (may partner with other Organizations):

Transportation

Maintenance

Personal Assistance

Opening Doors to EmploymentOpening Doors to Employment (continued)(continued)

Eligibility CriteriaEligibility Criteria

• You have a physical or mental condition that affects your ability to get or keep a job.

• You are in need of services in order to get or keep employment.

• (for our St. Tammany Office of LRS) You are a St. Tammany Parish resident.

• Age 16 or older (services usually start after exiting school, for students)

You may be eligible for LRS:

EligibilityEligibility (continued)(continued)

• If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you are presumed eligible for LRS services.

• LRS counselors can explain the Social Security Administration Ticket-to-Work program (if you were assigned a Ticket)

EligibilityEligibility (continued)(continued)

• To determine eligibility, LRS will collect educational and medical reports to better understand your needs. We are not physicians – the condition must be previously diagnosed, by a licensed doctor

• LRS gives priority to persons with significant disabilities (especially persons with limited income) (Group 1)

EligibilityEligibility (continued)(continued)

If you are determined eligible and have a significant disability:

• Your LRS counselor will help you prepare for and find a job that you are interested in.

• Together, you and your counselor will develop a step-by-step Vocational Plan, that is appropriate for YOU. .

• You play the most

important role in

developing and

participating in your

plan for employment.

General Flow of the Vocational General Flow of the Vocational Rehabilitation ProcessRehabilitation Process

Referral Application

Referral Application

Comprehensive Assessment and

Planning

Comprehensive Assessment and

Planning

ServicesServicesOutcomeOutcome

Post-Employment and Follow-up

Post-Employment and Follow-up

LRS is committed to giving you personalized support

and employment services

“Together we can plan YOUR path to success.”

“My counselor was so

supportive. There is no one

like her. LRS is a great secret.

I would strongly recommend

seeking their help.”

Restaurant Manager Trainee

South Louisiana

Notice of Non-DiscriminationNotice of Non-Discrimination

Louisiana Rehabilitation Services does not

discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex,

age, national origin, religion or disability in

matters affecting employment or in providing

access to programs. LRS is a State agency

that operates in accordance with the Federal

Rehabilitation Act.

Why hire an individual with a disability?

Compared to non-disabled employees, individuals with disabilities generally have Compared to non-disabled employees, individuals with disabilities generally have equal or better job performance, lower absenteeism, lower turnover, better safety equal or better job performance, lower absenteeism, lower turnover, better safety record, and in most cases, NO increase in insurance or Worker's Compensation record, and in most cases, NO increase in insurance or Worker's Compensation rates. rates.

The disabled population includes many dedicated and committed employees. The disabled population includes many dedicated and committed employees. These individuals are proven survivors whose life experiences have endowed These individuals are proven survivors whose life experiences have endowed them with unique problem solving skills, the ability to successfully meet them with unique problem solving skills, the ability to successfully meet challenges, and to overcome adversity. These are the same qualities for which challenges, and to overcome adversity. These are the same qualities for which many corporations spend millions of dollars a year, in training and motivation many corporations spend millions of dollars a year, in training and motivation programs, to try to teach their employees. programs, to try to teach their employees.

An individual who has been rehabilitated becomes an asset to the community. An individual who has been rehabilitated becomes an asset to the community. People with disabilities who are placed into gainful employment each year return People with disabilities who are placed into gainful employment each year return more to the economy of Louisiana that was expended in restoring them to more to the economy of Louisiana that was expended in restoring them to employment. employment.

There are financial incentives to hiring people with disabilities such as On the Job There are financial incentives to hiring people with disabilities such as On the Job Training, Targeted Jobs Tax Credit, Fidelity Bonding, the Disabled Access Credit, Training, Targeted Jobs Tax Credit, Fidelity Bonding, the Disabled Access Credit, and the Tax Credit on Architectural and Transportation Barrier Removal. and the Tax Credit on Architectural and Transportation Barrier Removal. Remember - it's the person's ABILITY that matters, not the disability.Remember - it's the person's ABILITY that matters, not the disability.

Companies Adjusting WorkplacesCompanies Adjusting Workplaces

Most businesses report no cost or low cost for accommodating employees with disabilities.

Of the businesses who gave cost information related to accommodations they had provided, 167 out of 366

(46%) said the accommodations needed by employees and job applicants with disabilities cost absolutely

nothing. Another 165 (45%) experienced a one-time cost. Only 25 (7%) said the accommodation resulted in an ongoing, annual cost to the company and 9

(2%) said the accommodation required a combination of one-time and annual costs.

When asked how much they paid for an accommodation beyond what they would have paid for an employee without a disability who was in the same position,

employers typically answered around $300.

A BETTER VISION of the WorldA BETTER VISION of the World• Businesses actively market their products and services to

consumers with disabilities because doing so creates profit.

• Businesses actively recruit, hire, train, advance, and support workers (with disabilities) because doing so raises productivity.

• Agencies and vendors (that exist to serve the employment needs of people with disabilities) recognize and respond to the fact that employer satisfaction is a fundamental service outcome that must be addressed to guarantee their success and survival.

• People with disabilities, once hired and properly accommodated in their jobs, are not “workers with disabilities”, but simply workers.

www.laworks.net (website)

LRS St. Tammany Office LRS St. Tammany Office (985) 871-8385(985) 871-8385

Toll-free: 1-866-355-0430Toll-free: 1-866-355-0430

V/TDD: 504-838-5180V/TDD: 504-838-5180

People who CAN work SHOULD work!People who CAN work SHOULD work!