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A recent study funded by The Able Trust/FGA shows that vocational rehabilitation services provide significant benefits to society at a low cost to Florida taxpayers. These benefits include increased earnings for clients, reduced public assistance costs and increased tax contributions among clients completing services. The Able Trust/FGA commissioned the Florida Governor's Alliance Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Employment of People with Disabilities to address several questions about employment of Florida citizens with disabilities. The results of the study found that for every public dollar spent on vocational rehabilitation for persons with disabilities, $16 dollars is returned to society.
The study was based on an analysis of 29,475 individuals who had received vocational rehabilitation services in Florida. All cases were closed during fiscal year 1998, with 9,598 of that total becoming gainfully employed. The study addressed the costs of unemployment of people with disabilities, costs of vocational rehabilitation services and their earnings and other benefits.
The study found that the cost to society of unemployed persons with disabilities makes up an estimated $8 - $10 billion annually, including costs in lost productivity, Social Security payments and public funds spent on health care and medical services. Traditionally, individuals with disabilities receive employment-related services from Florida's federally funded vocational rehabilitation program. The study reported that the average costs of these services were $2,917 per closed case.
Benefits to the public sector included a decrease in public assistance payments by approximately $5.3 million and an average annual increase of $20.4 million in state and federal tax contributions among clients. Benefits of vocational services for persons with disabilities who were successfully employed included total increase in earnings of $88.8 million, or $49,291 more per client over a 30-year work life had they not received services. The study also reported on indirect benefits for both taxpayers and individuals with disabilities. As a result of employing persons with disabilities, the public sector sees increased spending on goods and services due to increased earnings, and individuals experience improved self-sufficiency and quality of life.
For a complete copy of the Florida Governor's Alliance Cost-Benefit Analysis of Employment of Floridians with Disabilities, click here.
In February, Governor Jeb Bush announced the approval of a new Medicaid waiver for the expansion of services to persons with developmental disabilities. The federal waiver program approved by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) will enhance choice and bring the state closer to a consumer driven system of care. Contracted providers will now be able to provide a full range of services from traditional Intermediate Care Facilities for Developmentally Disabled to specialized facilities which will focus on the development of skills needed to successfully transition to the community.
In the Governor's fiscal year 1999/2000 budget he successfully recommended the largest single increase in funding for developmental services in the state's history: more than $200 million. That measure was approved by the Florida Legislature. For fiscal year 2000/2001, Governor Bush has proposed an additional $136 million to expand home and community-based services.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) contracted with the Gallup Organization to perform a market survey and analysis of the availability of organizations, either public or private, to serve as employment networks (ENs) in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. These ENs will be responsible for coordination and delivery of services to disability beneficiaries under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. Participation in this survey is NOT a part of the eligibility application process. SSA is researching the characteristics of the organizations likely to apply.
Surveys were mailed in late January and are also available on the World Wide Web. If you have any questions or your organization would like to be included in the study, call Gallup's toll-free hotline at 800-497-1065 or send an email to SSA_EN@gallup.com.
For more information about the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, visit the SSA's website at www.ssa.gov/work/legislation.htm.
*Article courtesy of NDC Bulletin, a monthly publication of the National Council on Disability.
The President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities has announced three scholarship competitions open to postsecondary students with disabilities for the 2000-2001 academic year.
Two competitions are open to candidates with disabilities seeking financial assistance for undergraduate study at a four-year college or university. NIKE, Inc. will sponsor one $2,500 scholarship for an individual majoring in sports or recreation management, sports marketing, sports medicine or sports/recreation retail. Nordstrom, Inc. will sponsor five $2,000 scholarships for individuals majoring in business. The application deadline for both competitions is May 11, 2000.
The third competition is open to female candidates with disabilities seeking financial assistance for graduate study. The ELA Foundation will sponsor one or two $2,000 scholarships for individuals who seek to change the face of disability on the planet in their life work. The application deadline is May 25, 2000.
To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must be United States citizens. Awards are contingent upon acceptance to, or continuation in, accredited colleges and universities in the United States. More information and application materials may be downloaded from the Internet at two sites: Visit the President's Committee's Web site at www.pcepd.gov and click the "Scholarships" link on the home page. Or, visit FastWeb at www.fastweb.com, establish a student profile and follow the prompts.
Private sector employers in Florida and around the nation may take advantage of a new, free resource to identify potential employees with disabilities for their job openings and internship opportunities. The President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities Workforce Recruitment Program has developed the CD ROM database, which contains current profiles of more than 1,200 college students with disabilities who are seeking employment.
Job candidates are skilled in a wide variety of fields, including computer science, business and office administration. Many are seeking internships, while others desire permanent employment following graduation.
Businesses may search by field, state or school. Each search generates a list of potential applicants for a given position. Employers are free to conduct independent interviews and are under no obligation to hire.
The Able Trust/FGA is serving as the state liaison to the President's Committee to distribute the CD ROM. The database is made available only to private sector employers. Interested parties should fax requests on company letterhead to Kristen Knapp at 850-224-4496, or email kristen@abletrust.org.
