What’s wrong…
1. Direct-support professionals do not consistently implement evidence-based practices such as person-centered career planning…do not consistently use established promising practices, including spending time with individuals in community settings, working with an individual’s family and acquaintances, or negotiating job responsibilities with an employer.

2. 74% of individuals with an intellectual disability received sheltered employment, day-habilitation services, or non-work community integration services, while only 26% were working in integrated employment.


3. About 1 in 6 children have a developmental disability ranging from mild to severe, 1 in 88 are specifically diagnosed with autism. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). Every year 150,00-200,000 students with disabilities age out of special education programs yet transition services such as career preparation and work-based learning are never provided.





4. In 2010, only 22.2% of the 158,300 working-age people (ages 16-64) with cognitive disability in AZ were employed.
(The National Report on Employment Services and Outcomes)
What ADS will do…
1. Provide a combination of life skills, social skills, and practical employment training ultimately leading to independent living and integrated employment.
Individual and small group training in a low ratio of trainers to learners emphasizing family and community involvement at all levels.

2. Facilitate the transition from day treatment and sheltered employment to integrated employment through the use of culinary and job enterprise training.
 Increase employ-ability using a model for high performing programs.

3. Implement high performing programs for the anticipated influx of current and future high school graduates with disabilities needing social and job skill training: Catalysts ~Leadership and values, Clearly stated policy and goals, Appropriate financing, Training and Technical Assistance, Service Innovation, and Outcome Data. RESULT: Integrated Employment. Integrated Employment is a category of employment in which a person with disabilities works alongside people without disabilities without major systemic supports.

4. ADS supports the AZ Developmental Disabilities Planning Council’s Five Year State Plan 2012-2016…“In partnership with individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and others who support them and employers, advocate and expand capacity for community integrated employment.”
Source: Butterworth, J., Smith, F., A., Hall, A.C., Migliore, A., Winsor, J., Domin, D., Timmons, J.C. (2012). StateData: The national report on employment services and outcomes. Boston, MA: University of Massachusetts Boston, Institute for Community Inclusion.