What Is Transition To Employment?
Transition to Employment (TTE) is a service that teaches individuals with disabilities that qualify for employment the “meaning, value and demands of work and in the development of positive attitudes toward work.” This program is related to a number of employment initiatives designed to help people with disabilities find quality employment. There are plenty of programs and resources for individuals with disabilities in Arizona, like S.E.E.D. (Self Employment for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities) Financing or DES (Department of Economic Security) support, designed to help people become meaningfully employed. With shocking statistics concerning underemployment and unemployment rates for individuals with autism, expert guidance in gaining employment is vital to the success and overall quality of life for those that qualify for work. Perhaps you are an individual with ASD, or you are the parent/guardian of an individual with autism and you are seeking resources to help guide the employment search. Lexington Services is proud to announce that our Transition to Employment program is officially accepting members to help them find the work that will fulfill their lives.
What Is Transition To Employment?
Transition To Employment is an employment service for individuals with disabilities that is designed to provide training and support in order to promote the development of skills necessary for integrated and competitive employment. This TTE is integrated directly into an Individual Service Plan with the ISP team, similar to the IEP plan that many individuals use while they are in school. This service is designed to help individuals realize their employment and vocational goals while supporting their skill development and pursuing their passions. The overall goal of the program is to help members transition to a more independent employment setting. This program can also guide individuals through unpaid shadowing experiences to engage with their interests and current skill set. TTE services ensure that individuals have mentor guidance and supervision from Lexington experts in order to have the most positive employment experience possible. Through a program like Transition to Employment, an individual with autism can expand their employment horizons and work toward a career that incorporates their interests and their unique skill sets.
Why Are Programs Like TTE important?
With an alarming number of adults with autism living unemployed, some studies suggesting at least 27%, the need for services that help people with ASD to find meaningful employment is striking. There are a number of things that parents and guardians can do to help their loved ones to prepare to join the work force, but even with a perfect interview and a qualified skill set, some venues for employment just aren’t fit to deal with the unique needs of individuals with autism and other disabilities. This is where programs like Transition to Employment can greatly improve the outcomes for these individuals. They provide a route for individuals to find real work for real pay, rather than sheltered workshops, which greatly bolsters an individual’s personal perception of themselves and their independence. With some reports indicating that only 26% of youth with disabilities are employed, it’s important to support our youth through these programs so they can thrive as they transition to adulthood. With proper guidance, there are a myriad of employment paths which young people can excel at and programs like Transition to Employment at Lexington will help them on that path to success.
Employers And Resources Available to Arizona Residents
There are many companies that have specific integrated employment programs for individuals with autism and other disabilities across the state. Companies like Wells Fargo, JW Marriott, and Shamrock Foods regularly recruit from job fairs that are specifically tailored for individuals with ASD. Autism speaks always has a great range of services listed for individuals with autism, including a resource list for people seeking employment. They also offer a lot of great insight on advocacy, benefits, and employment preparedness that individuals and parents can use to make sure that the transition to employment is excellent. The Spectrum Careers job board is also a great resource for job seekers that can connect people with the best and newest integrated employment opportunities.
For those seeking to join the Transition to Employment program at Lexington, we have openings and we’re ready to start guiding our members on the path to independence. If you would like more information, call 480-900-1009 or click here to contact us today.