In 2000, Paula Lane began working in a sheltered workshop in Beaverton, Oregon. In 2010, she earned her biggest paycheck – $53.66 for 81 hours of work. As lead plaintiff in a federal class action lawsuit (Lane v. Brown), Paula fights for the rights of an estimated 7,000 Oregonians who have been or are at risk of being segregated in sheltered workshops.
On September 8th, 2015, state officials, the U. S. Department of Justice, and attorneys for individuals with disabilities negotiated a Settlement Agreement that will provide these individuals with opportunities to work in competitive employment instead of being segregated in sheltered workshops where they earn sub-minimum wages for performing mundane tasks such as folding bags and packaging gloves. Sheltered workshops offer people with disabilities no opportunity for training or advancement. They segregate people with disabilities from their communities and they violate civil rights determined by both the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) and the Olmstead Decision (1999).
This year’s TASH Conference will feature an array of sessions directly related to Lane v. Brown and ending the unnecessary segregation of people with disabilities in Oregon and beyond. These sessions will provide attendees with practical information and inspiration in order to build capacity and create change at the local level. Below is a list of more than 25 sessions on transition, customized employment, and other related topics, to be featured at the 2015 TASH Conference in Portland, Oregon, December 2nd through 4th.
TASH Transition Roundtable: Expanding Secondary Inclusion and Improving Postschool Outcomes
The TASH Transition Roundtable is a special event that will comprise of a 100-minute open discussion, and a 50-minute working discussion where invited participants will draft a document. The purpose of this Roundtable is to respond to three broad questions:
1) What is TASH’s position on the configuration and makeup of transition services both during high school, 18-21 transition programs, and adult services?
2) What is TASH’s unique contribution to the issues associated with transition to adulthood for youth with significant disabilities?
3) What can we do (individually and collectively) to facilitate changes in transition practices and programs, supporting families, professionals and systems to start “where they are?”
Advancing Employment First: Bridging the Future from the Workshop to the Workplace
This short-course Wednesday Workshop will be delivered by teams of presenters around transitioning from sheltered workshop to real work for real pay settings. At the end of the workshop, all presenters will participate in an open discussion with the audience. Topics include:
- Creating a Bridge from Workshops to Community Employment | Michael Callahan, Therese Fimian, Vickie Calder
- Shifting Away from Sheltered Workshops: Building Peer to Peer Supports | Ryley Newport, Ross Ryan, Justin Connolly, Gabrielle Guedon, Kaaren Londahl
- From Workshop to Work: Video Case Studies of the Journey through Discovery | Julie Christensen, Gillian Young-Miller, Jeanne Stewart, Kayt Davidson, Tammy Reynolds
- Overview of State of Washington’s Employment Outcomes for People with Developmental Disabilities | Brian Nichols, Branda Matson, Megan Burr
- Advancing Employment First through Technology & Engaging Employers | Jim Swain, Gina Price
- Grounded Change: Re-Making Services and Supports with Individuals and Families | Sarah Schulman and InWithForward Staff
Breakout Sessions:
- Pathways to Employment: A Guide for Advocates
- Discussion with Steven Schwartz about Lane v. Brown Settlement Agreement
- Exemplary Transition in Rural Settings: The How To Guide
- Supporting Families in transition through a Culture of Gentleness
- Promoting Self-Determination and Advocacy Skills to Achieve Quality Outcomes
- School to Work Projects in the State of Washington
- Utilizing Technology and Multimedia Platforms to develop Student Directed Portfolios
- 30 Years of Transitioning Students into Employment: Community Based Work Transition Program
- Pathways to Meaningful Lives
- Project SEARCH – Internships for Young Adults that Lead to Careers
- Project HIRE: Employment through Post-Secondary Education: Processes, Outcomes and Lessons Learned
- Competencies and Preparation for Transition Collaboration
- Strategies for Expanding Discovery
- Collaborating through Change – Portland’s Employment First Seamless Transition Pilot Project’s Journey
- Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act of 2014. News after 18 months
- Customized Strategies for Promoting Competitive, Integrated Employment for Persons with Complex Disabilities
- My Son can work: A Parent’s Strategies for Supporting Youth with Autism
- Real jobs for real pay: Public policy and legal challenges for change
- Meaningful Employment for Significant Challenges
- Expanding Discovery through internships, post-secondary education and structured life experiences