Shane Boucher (your presenter)Shane Boucher (your presenter)

Employment Specialist (LRS/LWC)Employment Specialist (LRS/LWC)

““Once an overlooked talent pool, people Once an overlooked talent pool, people with disAbilities are contributing to the with disAbilities are contributing to the American economy in ways never American economy in ways never imagined . . . “imagined . . . “- Thomas J. Donohue President & C.E.O. - Thomas J. Donohue President & C.E.O. U.S. Chamber of Commerce U.S. Chamber of Commerce

People that CAN work SHOULD work

• Businesses seek a Prepared WorkforceBusinesses seek a Prepared Workforce – more training/support for – more training/support for new/existing workers. More education is now required for most new new/existing workers. More education is now required for most new jobs (larger skill-gaps to close) jobs (larger skill-gaps to close)

• Businesses seek a Competitive WorkforceBusinesses seek a Competitive Workforce – system improvement – system improvement• Workers want a Safe and Secure WorkforceWorkers want a Safe and Secure Workforce – OSHA, EEOC plans – OSHA, EEOC plans• Workers want Strengthened Economic Protections – PensionsWorkers want Strengthened Economic Protections – Pensions

Key Factors In Our Changing Labor Force:Key Factors In Our Changing Labor Force: U.S. workforce growth has U.S. workforce growth has slowed, more females/minorities in the labor force, more technological slowed, more females/minorities in the labor force, more technological change, and more globalization (international competition). As of 2010, change, and more globalization (international competition). As of 2010, 40% of America’s Workforce (64 million) are eligible to retire40% of America’s Workforce (64 million) are eligible to retire

““Underutilized Segments” – DisAbled Citizens, Students, Retirees, Ex-Underutilized Segments” – DisAbled Citizens, Students, Retirees, Ex-Offenders – PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES – the HIGHEST Offenders – PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES – the HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE groupUNEMPLOYMENT RATE group

Is YOUR business prepared for the Is YOUR business prepared for the Baby Boomer Retirement to come? Baby Boomer Retirement to come?

• Companies must Companies must REDUCEREDUCE the need for the need for employeesemployees by using by using COMPUTERIZATION, AUTOMATION, REDESIGNING JOBS AND COMPUTERIZATION, AUTOMATION, REDESIGNING JOBS AND PROCESSES, OFFSHORING, OUTSOURCING, and MAXING OUT PROCESSES, OFFSHORING, OUTSOURCING, and MAXING OUT THE CURRENT WORKFORCE.THE CURRENT WORKFORCE.

• Companies must Companies must INCREASE INCREASE the the supplysupply of employees by using of employees by using education and training dollars, and education and training dollars, and public-private partnershipspublic-private partnerships. .

Companies also need to be hiring workers with Companies also need to be hiring workers with disAbilitiesdisAbilities – in short, companies must become more – in short, companies must become more FLEXIBLE in regards to who is hired. FLEXIBLE in regards to who is hired. The shortage of labor The shortage of labor requires this!requires this!

Perfect health through life Perfect health through life is really an unrealistic is really an unrealistic expectation – and work is expectation – and work is GOOD for many chronic GOOD for many chronic health conditions.health conditions.

Employ-Employ-AbilityAbility• Individuals with disAbilities have equal or Individuals with disAbilities have equal or better better

job performance, lower absenteeism, lower job performance, lower absenteeism, lower turnover, and a better safety record than turnover, and a better safety record than non-disabled employees (proven).non-disabled employees (proven).

• In most cases, there is In most cases, there is nono increase in Workers Compensation increase in Workers Compensation rates, and sometimes you can get a premium REDUCTION for rates, and sometimes you can get a premium REDUCTION for hiring previously-injured workers (2hiring previously-injured workers (2ndnd Injury Fund). Injury Fund).

• DisAbled workers are DisAbled workers are proven survivorsproven survivors, that have had to , that have had to face real-life experiences, and use unique problem-solving face real-life experiences, and use unique problem-solving skills. skills. Overcoming adversity is quality that companies spend Overcoming adversity is quality that companies spend huge amounts of money to teach their employees… these huge amounts of money to teach their employees… these workers workers alreadyalready have this skill. have this skill.

If you have over 15 employees working for you, it is very likely that you If you have over 15 employees working for you, it is very likely that you have already hired at least 1 person with a disAbility (just not disclosed)have already hired at least 1 person with a disAbility (just not disclosed)

EmployEmploy--AbilityAbility

• Returning people with disAbilities to the workforce Returning people with disAbilities to the workforce makes great business sense. makes great business sense. Filling open jobs while Filling open jobs while “doing the right thing” and saving taxes makes more “doing the right thing” and saving taxes makes more sensesense than allowing ready workers to sit home, not than allowing ready workers to sit home, not using their skills, demoralized and/or using their skills, demoralized and/or depressed/desperate/unemployed.depressed/desperate/unemployed.

• Tax Credits are available for hiring, and Tax Credits are available for hiring, and accommodating, disAbled workers, and monies are accommodating, disAbled workers, and monies are available to pay for any helpful equipment workers available to pay for any helpful equipment workers seldom need on the job site.seldom need on the job site.

• MOSTMOST “working adults” spend “working adults” spend at leastat least SOMESOME of their of their “work lives” in a “disAbling condition”“work lives” in a “disAbling condition” (fact)(fact)

Arthritis - the leading Arthritis - the leading disAbility (18%) (46 disAbility (18%) (46 million) in the U.S.A.million) in the U.S.A.

Businesses/Clients – Businesses/Clients – Varied ConcernsVaried Concerns

• Aging Workforce IssuesAging Workforce Issues ((disAbility disAbility is a function of age)is a function of age)

• Addressing Workforce ShortagesAddressing Workforce Shortages (40 % eligible to retire by 2010)(40 % eligible to retire by 2010)

• Access and Removal of BarriersAccess and Removal of Barriers (issues, suggestions, and tax credit (issues, suggestions, and tax credit information)information)

• Hiring disAbilityHiring disAbility (guidance, (guidance, education, “gap” of perceptions)education, “gap” of perceptions)

• Interviewing Tips Interviewing Tips (no fear)(no fear)• O.J.T.O.J.T. , Fidelity Bonding, , Fidelity Bonding,

W.O.T.C.W.O.T.C. ProgramProgram• PartnershipsPartnerships//InitiativesInitiatives (SHRM, (SHRM,

Chambers, Networking, Job Fairs)Chambers, Networking, Job Fairs)• Sources for Sources for Additional InfoAdditional Info

• Skilled Workers Facing Career Skilled Workers Facing Career Changes or Self-EmploymentChanges or Self-Employment

• ““Accommodation” IssuesAccommodation” Issues• Completing Applications, Completing Applications,

Phone Calls, Resumes, Phone Calls, Resumes, Interviews, Follow-up Interviews, Follow-up CorrespondenceCorrespondence

• ““Disclosure” IssuesDisclosure” Issues• ““Assistive Technologies”Assistive Technologies”• Career Fairs, Cold-Calling, other Career Fairs, Cold-Calling, other

Networking IssuesNetworking Issues• Choosing a Major/SchoolingChoosing a Major/Schooling• Services for Deaf/BlindServices for Deaf/Blind• General Job Search/AttireGeneral Job Search/Attire• Ticket to Work/Part-Time IssuesTicket to Work/Part-Time Issues• Salary/Duties “Negotiation”Salary/Duties “Negotiation”

Financial Incentives for Hiring DisAbilitiesFinancial Incentives for Hiring DisAbilities

• On-the-Job TrainingOn-the-Job Training Grant Monies (2 - LRS & WIA)Grant Monies (2 - LRS & WIA)• Work Opportunity Tax CreditWork Opportunity Tax Credit (Federal Wage Credit) (Federal Wage Credit)• Disabled Access Tax CreditDisabled Access Tax Credit (Federal) (Federal)• Tax Credit for Barrier RemovalTax Credit for Barrier Removal (Federal) (Federal)• Second Injury FundSecond Injury Fund (State L.W.C. Program) (State L.W.C. Program)• Fidelity Bonding ProgramFidelity Bonding Program (Liability/Federal) (Liability/Federal)• Tax-Saving Labor, with INCENTIVESTax-Saving Labor, with INCENTIVES

Most people Most people want to want to workwork, APPRECIATE , APPRECIATE work, and some work, and some happen to have health happen to have health issues…….issues…….

On-The-Job TrainingOn-The-Job Training

1.1. Company is reimbursed 100% of the clients monthly Company is reimbursed 100% of the clients monthly base salarybase salary (business is responsible for carrying any (business is responsible for carrying any employee benefits offered to any other employee)employee benefits offered to any other employee) The The business will invoice our clients Vocational Counselorbusiness will invoice our clients Vocational Counselor

2.2. This plan for On-The-Job Training can go for a period of This plan for On-The-Job Training can go for a period of up to up to 3 months3 months. The business will register as a Training Vendor (W-. The business will register as a Training Vendor (W-9) for salary reimbursement (we use a “vendor” system for all 9) for salary reimbursement (we use a “vendor” system for all payments).payments). The (training) business will provide the employees Counselor with a written outline of the companies training plan

3.3. Overtime is Overtime is not not reimbursable, although clients can work reimbursable, although clients can work overtime.overtime.

4.4. This training contract must be part of our clients Individualized This training contract must be part of our clients Individualized Plan for Employment (I.P.E.), and approved, Plan for Employment (I.P.E.), and approved, before before training training beginsbegins

People with disabilities are People with disabilities are presumed incompetent - presumed incompetent - why? (vs. Arrested folks)why? (vs. Arrested folks)

Costs to “Accommodate” areCosts to “Accommodate” are LOWLOW

MostMost businesses report businesses report no cost or low costno cost or low cost for accommodating for accommodatingemployees with disAbilities (the benefits employees with disAbilities (the benefits outweighoutweigh the costs)! the costs)!

Of the businesses who gave cost information related to Of the businesses who gave cost information related to accommodations they had provided, 167 out of 366 accommodations they had provided, 167 out of 366 (46%) said the (46%) said the

accommodations needed by employees and job applicants with accommodations needed by employees and job applicants with disAbilities cost absolutely nothing.disAbilities cost absolutely nothing. Another 165 (45%) Another 165 (45%)

experienced a one-time cost. Only 25 (7%) said the experienced a one-time cost. Only 25 (7%) said the accommodation resulted in an ongoing, annual cost to the accommodation resulted in an ongoing, annual cost to the company and 9 (2%) said the accommodation required a company and 9 (2%) said the accommodation required a

combination of one-time and annual costs;. combination of one-time and annual costs;. When asked how When asked how much they paid for an accommodation beyond what they would much they paid for an accommodation beyond what they would have paid for an employee without a disAbility who was in the have paid for an employee without a disAbility who was in the same position, businesses typically answered around $300same position, businesses typically answered around $300..

Good Employees – Counselor Support – Saving Tax Good Employees – Counselor Support – Saving Tax Dollars – The “Right” Thing to Do – Easy to DoDollars – The “Right” Thing to Do – Easy to Do

If you have employees If you have employees with young children, with young children, you you are ALREADY making are ALREADY making accommodations!accommodations!

There are many GOOD There are many GOOD examples, out there!examples, out there!

The philosophy of the FUTUREThe philosophy of the FUTURE

U.S. Census Bureau announcements released in 2007 put the number of people with disabilities at 51.2 million, or 18 percent of the population. Research shows that disabled workers stay longer. Advances in technology have made providing accommodations easier to implement and more cost-effective. In a rapidly-shrinking labor market, can your organization afford not to recruit candidates with disabilities? CVS Caremark, the CVS Caremark, the nation's largest retail pharmacy chain, made a commitment to nation's largest retail pharmacy chain, made a commitment to hire candidates from every aspect of the communities they hire candidates from every aspect of the communities they serve.serve. As a result, CVS Caremark was a 2006 recipient of the New Freedom Initiative Award for exemplary and innovative efforts in furthering the employment and workplace environment for people with disabilities. The company is a member of The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy Circle of Champions, a distinguished group of U.S. businesses that work with others to help improve disability

employment by sharing proven business strategies.

The REAL problem is UNEMPLOYMENTThe REAL problem is UNEMPLOYMENTWe seek “business champions”, who are willing, if We seek “business champions”, who are willing, if necessary, to somewhat flexible, in order to necessary, to somewhat flexible, in order to decreasedecrease

unemploymentunemployment

Part-time workersPart-time workers with disAbilities are ideal for filling with disAbilities are ideal for filling gaps in your current workforce, and for reducing the gaps in your current workforce, and for reducing the

costs for temporary labor and overtimecosts for temporary labor and overtime

We are ALSO the FIRST to know when GOOD workers We are ALSO the FIRST to know when GOOD workers are “in-between” jobs (laid-off start with us)are “in-between” jobs (laid-off start with us)

disAbility does NOT equal “cannot work”disAbility does NOT equal “cannot work”

Stereotypes – Bridging the Stereotypes – Bridging the GAPGAP

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

• Non-DisAbled: 80% are working.Non-DisAbled: 80% are working.• Disabled: 37% are working. Ridiculous.Disabled: 37% are working. Ridiculous.• ““stereotype” – workers with disAbilities “file more stereotype” – workers with disAbilities “file more

lawsuits”.. Not True… seeking work, not attentionlawsuits”.. Not True… seeking work, not attention

MY ROLE – be the bridge between local business MY ROLE – be the bridge between local business people, and job seeking clients with disAbilitiespeople, and job seeking clients with disAbilities

(Swimming upstream, to stop the excuses)(Swimming upstream, to stop the excuses)

Disabled SSI Recipients who Disabled SSI Recipients who Worked (2006 data) in La. – Worked (2006 data) in La. – 28.4% (many have a TICKET)28.4% (many have a TICKET)

Participants willing to work through Participants willing to work through a hardship, and still do the job!a hardship, and still do the job!

• There are 130 million people who have one or more chronic There are 130 million people who have one or more chronic conditions in the United States conditions in the United States

• There are few solid numbers on how many of workers are There are few solid numbers on how many of workers are staying on the job even though they suffer an ongoing illness, staying on the job even though they suffer an ongoing illness, including arthritis, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, asthma, cardiac including arthritis, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, asthma, cardiac and cardio-vascular diseases, and even cancer.  The numbers of and cardio-vascular diseases, and even cancer.  The numbers of individuals with such diseases in the workplace is increasingindividuals with such diseases in the workplace is increasing

• The aging population and the rise in the nation’s obesity rate are The aging population and the rise in the nation’s obesity rate are contributing to the growth in the numbers of individuals with contributing to the growth in the numbers of individuals with chronic illnesses. Advances in medicines/treatments are chronic illnesses. Advances in medicines/treatments are counter-acting this trend.counter-acting this trend.

• As much as three-quarters of the population with a chronic As much as three-quarters of the population with a chronic illness can be helped through disease management and illness can be helped through disease management and continue to work! continue to work! No matter the condition, work is good for you.No matter the condition, work is good for you.

More treatment options More treatment options for more health for more health conditions, every day!conditions, every day!

Why hire Why hire anan individual individual with awith a disAbility? disAbility?

(Summary)(Summary)

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

2.2. The disAbled population includes many dedicated and committed The disAbled population includes many dedicated and committed employees. These individuals work really well, independently. employees. These individuals work really well, independently.

3.3. These individuals are proven survivors whose life experiences have These individuals are proven survivors whose life experiences have endowed them with unique problem solving skills, the ability to endowed them with unique problem solving skills, the ability to successfully meet challenges, and to overcome adversity. successfully meet challenges, and to overcome adversity. Companies spend lots of money to teach these skills to new hires.Companies spend lots of money to teach these skills to new hires.

4.4. There are financial incentives to hiring people with disAbilities such There are financial incentives to hiring people with disAbilities such as On the Job Training, Targeted Jobs Tax Credit, Fidelity Bonds, as On the Job Training, Targeted Jobs Tax Credit, Fidelity Bonds, the DisAbled Access Credit and the Tax Credit on Architectural and the DisAbled Access Credit and the Tax Credit on Architectural and Transportation Barrier Removal.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.

MOTIVATED WORKERS supplied to St. Tammany MOTIVATED WORKERS supplied to St. Tammany Businesses – proud to DO the job! ABILITY is KEY!Businesses – proud to DO the job! ABILITY is KEY!

A is using his degree and is learning Federal A is using his degree and is learning Federal Contractor requirements on his new job.Contractor requirements on his new job.

E has already promoted from a dispatching position to E has already promoted from a dispatching position to a driver, and is using some additional work skills.a driver, and is using some additional work skills.

Why hire an individual with a disAbility?Why hire an individual with a disAbility? (summary)(summary)

4. The qualities that most businesses are looking for are ALREADY 4. The qualities that most businesses are looking for are ALREADY there - ABILITY, dependability, initiative, reliability, good there - ABILITY, dependability, initiative, reliability, good attendance and punctuality, efficiency, loyalty, cheerfulness, attendance and punctuality, efficiency, loyalty, cheerfulness, unselfishness, perseverance, and helpfulness - unselfishness, perseverance, and helpfulness -

5. An individual who has been rehabilitated becomes a 5. An individual who has been rehabilitated becomes a contributing member of our community, and return more to the contributing member of our community, and return more to the economy of Louisiana that was expended in restoring him/her to economy of Louisiana that was expended in restoring him/her to employment.employment.

6. There are financial incentives to hiring people with disAbilities 6. There are financial incentives to hiring people with disAbilities such as On the Job Training, Targeted Jobs Tax Credit, Fidelity such as On the Job Training, Targeted Jobs Tax Credit, Fidelity Bonding, the DisAbled Access Credit, and the Tax Credit on Bonding, the DisAbled Access Credit, and the Tax Credit on Architectural /Transportation Barrier RemovalArchitectural /Transportation Barrier Removal.

Remember - it's the person's ABILITY that matters, not Remember - it's the person's ABILITY that matters, not the disAbility.the disAbility. PLEASE look at the CAN do, also!PLEASE look at the CAN do, also!

More successful WORKERS in St. Tammany Parish - a More successful WORKERS in St. Tammany Parish - a FOCUS on ABILITYFOCUS on ABILITY

A went to get her chauffeurs license A went to get her chauffeurs license and is working her new job as a and is working her new job as a driver for local elderly citizens.driver for local elderly citizens.

D has instantly became one of the D has instantly became one of the best employees at thid location, best employees at thid location, and has promoted himself to the and has promoted himself to the

next position there.next position there.

• Traditionally, jobs for Traditionally, jobs for SEVERELYSEVERELY DISABLED DISABLED participants are known as the participants are known as the “6 F’s”“6 F’s” – Food, – Food, Flowers, Folding, Filth, Filing, & Fetching jobsFlowers, Folding, Filth, Filing, & Fetching jobs

• ““A PROBLEM” – many of our participants are HIGHLY A PROBLEM” – many of our participants are HIGHLY SKILLED, and have MINIMAL disabilities – don’t LIMIT SKILLED, and have MINIMAL disabilities – don’t LIMIT the OPPORTUNITIESthe OPPORTUNITIES

• WORK IS GOODWORK IS GOOD FOR YOU! FOR YOU! AND, AND, work is also work is also GOOD for workers with disAbilitiesGOOD for workers with disAbilities

• Imagine yourself, with Imagine yourself, with NONO options – not a fun image options – not a fun image

““Vocational Rehabilitation” = 90 years!Vocational Rehabilitation” = 90 years!• The The RehabilitationRehabilitation program is one of the program is one of the longest-running longest-running

“social programs” in our Country – WHY? “social programs” in our Country – WHY? We saveWe save the the Government, and Businesses, money!Government, and Businesses, money!

• Cost EffectiveCost Effective – for every dollar spent on Rehabilitation – for every dollar spent on Rehabilitation Services, NINE dollars is saved (people paying TAXES, Services, NINE dollars is saved (people paying TAXES, when they work, and are OFF of “Assistance when they work, and are OFF of “Assistance Programs”). Programs”). It just worksIt just works, for ALL of us - L.R.S. is ALL , for ALL of us - L.R.S. is ALL about WORK!about WORK!

• New Initiatives:New Initiatives: National partnerships with SHRM, National partnerships with SHRM, Chambers, etc. – to get people with disabilities HIRED. Chambers, etc. – to get people with disabilities HIRED. DisAbility Job Fairs (every OCTOBER), and School DisAbility Job Fairs (every OCTOBER), and School System Partnerships (Option 3, IEP’s), in order to make System Partnerships (Option 3, IEP’s), in order to make sure good workers are not left behind.sure good workers are not left behind.

(sad fact) (sad fact) Many young Many young wage wage earners do earners do leave our leave our StateState

S started her new career at a local S started her new career at a local Audiologist Office!Audiologist Office!

C began his first maintenance job C began his first maintenance job since an unexpected sickness.since an unexpected sickness.

Local Adults regaining Local Adults regaining VALUE to their lives…..VALUE to their lives…..

We are WILLING to partner with Businesses, We are WILLING to partner with Businesses, Communities, & Agencies, for SUCCESS!Communities, & Agencies, for SUCCESS!

Shane,Shane, I wanted to take a moment I wanted to take a moment and thank you for your help, and thank you for your help, the candidate that you sent me the candidate that you sent me was hired and is doing a was hired and is doing a GREAT job for us, he is a veryGREAT job for us, he is a very hard worker, has caught on to hard worker, has caught on to our systems very quickly and our systems very quickly and is really good with customers is really good with customers as well as other employees. as well as other employees. Send more we need good Send more we need good people.people.Thank You, Chris Thank You, Chris Manager, SlidellManager, Slidell

Lets get our clients… Lets get our clients… THE PEOPLE THAT Are STILL THE PEOPLE THAT Are STILL live herelive here….“Back to the Business of WORK”!….“Back to the Business of WORK”!

Our ELIGIBILITY Requirements:Our ELIGIBILITY Requirements:

Vocational Rehabilitation ServicesVocational Rehabilitation Services (VR):• The VR program provides programs and services that

assist persons with disabilities who want to work or need who want to work or need services to keep their current jobs.services to keep their current jobs.

• For OUR location, participants need to be residents of For OUR location, participants need to be residents of St. Tammany Parish, age 16 or older, and have a mental St. Tammany Parish, age 16 or older, and have a mental or physical disAbility that creates a substantial barrier to or physical disAbility that creates a substantial barrier to finding and/or keeping employment. finding and/or keeping employment. *Any disAbilities *Any disAbilities must have been must have been previouslypreviously diagnosed diagnosed (we are not a (we are not a medical office)medical office)

Remember your 1Remember your 1stst Bicycle Bicycle??• When your parents bought your first bicycle, When your parents bought your first bicycle,

did you know how to ride it? Probably not, did you know how to ride it? Probably not, but your parents bought it but your parents bought it anyway—anyway—they they presumed competence!presumed competence! Shouldn't we apply Shouldn't we apply the the samesame lesson when it comes to people lesson when it comes to people with disabilities and the assistive technology with disabilities and the assistive technology devices they may need?devices they may need?

Despite regulations, for many years, 70% of people with Despite regulations, for many years, 70% of people with disAbilities still remain unemployed or underemployed.disAbilities still remain unemployed or underemployed.

Educational Events at L.R.S. – Educational Events at L.R.S. – “The Nuts & Bolts of the A.D.A.”“The Nuts & Bolts of the A.D.A.”

Thursday, December 13Thursday, December 138:00 a.m. -- 9:00 a.m.8:00 a.m. -- 9:00 a.m.

Louisiana Rehabilitation ServicesLouisiana Rehabilitation ServicesP.O. Box 4960P.O. Box 4960Covington, LouisianaCovington, LouisianaAttorney representing Baker Donelson:Attorney representing Baker Donelson:Michael F. WeinerMichael F. WeinerComplimentary refreshments and program provided.Complimentary refreshments and program provided.Please R.S.V.P. by Thursday, December 6th Please R.S.V.P. by Thursday, December 6th

Disabled until proven ABLEDisabled until proven ABLE Adults with disabilities are toldtold they’re unemployable,

can’t live in their own place, be responsible for themselves, etc. In essence, children & adults with adults with disabilities are put in the position of having to prove they’re disabilities are put in the position of having to prove they’re “not guilty” of being incompetent.“not guilty” of being incompetent.

Is there any other group of people required to routinely defend against false, inaccurate, or unsubstantiated accusations? Even people charged in criminal or civil Even people charged in criminal or civil litigation are litigation are presumed innocent!presumed innocent!  

Why do we presume Why do we presume that people with that people with disabilities are not disabilities are not capable of doing capable of doing things?things?

Signing of the Rehabilitation Act - 1973Signing of the Rehabilitation Act - 1973

What are you What are you waitingwaiting for? for?

USE us, and allow our participants to help USE us, and allow our participants to help YOU!YOU!

28% of our clients 28% of our clients hold advanced hold advanced degrees!degrees!

Louisiana Rehabilitation Louisiana Rehabilitation ServicesServices

People that CAN work SHOULD workPeople that CAN work SHOULD work

““DisDisAbilityAbility” – but ” – but SKILLS remainSKILLS remain – – are are YOU YOU benefiting from benefiting from these these workersworkers??

Who Is a Qualified Applicant?Who Is a Qualified Applicant?Under Title I of the ADA, a qualified person with a Under Title I of the ADA, a qualified person with a disability is one who satisfies the skill, disability is one who satisfies the skill, experience,experience,education, and other job-related requirements of education, and other job-related requirements of the position and the position and who can perform essentialwho can perform essentialfunctions of the jobfunctions of the job with or without reasonable with or without reasonable accommodations. accommodations. To be eligible for reasonableTo be eligible for reasonableaccommodations, the person must have a accommodations, the person must have a disability and be qualified for the position that disability and be qualified for the position that he or she seeks or holds.he or she seeks or holds.