Valued, Able & Ready to Work - NDSS

1 valued , able & Ready to WorkEmploying Individuals with Down SyndromeSincetheAmericanswithDisabilitie sAct(ADA)becamelawin1990,employingpeople withDownsyndromeandotherdisabilitieshasb eenarealisticgoalforallkindsofemployers corporations, , , ,manyemployershaveexpressedinterestinhir ingemployeeswithDownsyndrome, ,suggestingtipsforsuccess,identifyingsom echallenges, , ,tasksandworkplaceculture , ,ingeneral,knowntobedependable,structure d,loyal,enthusiastic,andmostofthetime, inspiration and spark an Employee & Employer , , , Started & Discovering the Best FitTips for Success When Working with Individuals with Down concrete ratherthan abstract terms, , (.)

2 Athleticevents,volunteeractivities,andde partmentallunchesorstaffmeetings) , , , ,descriptiveschedule,andinvolvessettingd eadlines,understandinghoursofoperation,b reaks, , , , , , ,andthat , , ,focusedlisteningandtime, , ,andifyoudonotunderstandthecommunication , , ,Myths&Truths, ; ,andultimately, of Employees with Down SyndromeAnyemployershouldexpectthebestfr omanyemployee , ,andIamasmallbusinessowner,avaluedemploy eeandmostimportantly, ,IdecidedthatIwantedtogotocollege,andwit hthehelpofmytransitionteam, ,Iworkedinanofficefiling,copying, , (PASS) ,andIcurrentlyworkfortheArcofGreggCounty answeringthephone, , am a Small Business Owner, a valued Employee and, Most Importantly, a Tax Payer!

3 By Katy Hull, Longview, TX ,employedindividualswithDownsyndromehave shownthat,likeanyoneelse, to work : Experiences of Employees with Down SyndromeTo maintain expectations for employees with Down syndrome: Be patient Learn individual strengths and weaknesses, and build upon them Most of all, treat individuals with Down syndrome with the same respect as any other , , ,whilestillinhighschool,Ihadaninternship atBoozAllenHamiltonthroughtheMarriottFou ndation sBridgesfromSchooltoWork andtwoyearslater, , ,justlikemypeers, , , , , ,andmanyotherslikeme, ,andforme, 20 Years of Competitive EmploymentBy David Egan, Vienna, VA6 Associationof Persons Supporting Employment (APSE)

4 On integrated employment and career advancement opportunities for individuals with disabilitiesJob Accommodation Network (JAN) source of free, expert and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issuesMassachusetts Down Syndrome Congress: Your Next list of resources for employers provides excellent information for business owners and those hiringNational Collaborative on Workforce and state and local workforce development systems to better serve all youth, including youth with disabilitiesNational Down Syndrome Society Helpline800-221-4602 / our toll-free helpline and email service, NDSS receives more than 10,000 requests a year for information on Down syndromeNational Down Syndrome Society.

5 Employment & Volunteer information and resources on types of employmentRecruiting, Hiring, Retaining, and Promoting People with Disabilities A Resource Guide for by a federal cross-agency effort working to increase equal employment opportunities and financial independence for individuals with disabilitiesSpecial thanks to Mr. David Egan for his leadership on the development of this resource guide through the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation Public Policy FellowshipFurther Resources National Down Syndrome Society, 20167