87% of parents in Tennessee want paid, community A Caring - - PDF document
Tennessee Community Conversations Jenn Bumble Elevating Employment Outcomes Through Community Erik Carter Conversation Events for Tennesseans with Disabilities www.tennesseeworks.org 87% of parents in Tennessee want paid, community
Jenn Bumble Erik Carter
www.tennesseeworks.org
Elevating Employment Outcomes for Tennesseans with Disabilities
Through “Community Conversation” Events
A Caring Community A Pressing Need
Tennessee want paid, community employment A Community Connector A Committed Community
A Comfortable Atmosphere A Warm Welcome A Compelling Call
have disabilities
families have at least
disability
An Asset-Focused Conversation
What can we do to as a community to increase meaningful employment
Round 1
What can we do to as a community to increase meaningful employment
Round 2
How might we work together in compelling ways to make this happen here in Lawrenceburg?
Round 3
What are the best ideas you heard this evening?
Whole-Group Harvest
A Powerful Process
identified things they could do to enhance employment
ideas generated
increased their views of their community’s capacity
felt the event was a good investment of their time A Statewide Reach A Creative Crowd
ideas generated
citizens contributed
Self-Advocates 8% Families 21% Educators 19% Employers 12% Civic Leaders 7% Community Groups 11% Faith Communities 3% Disability Agencies 12% Other 8%
Continuing Conversations Nashville Conversation Germantown Conversation Knoxville Conversation Macon County Conversation Montgomery County Conversation
Offer employment opportunities with city recreation department scoring, monitoring, and assisting with games. Meet with the local Chamber of Commerce and host Lunch N Learns to educate employers about hiring people with disabilities Host a “Buddy Day” where retirees are paired with persons with disabilities; providing opportunities for mentorship and relationship building Increase access to transportation through programs like UBER and Lyft Design policy mandating the hiring
IDD based on workforce size Encourage parents to believe in their children and have high expectations Showcase local success stories on city websites and at community events Host more events like this to educate communities and build connections Create a series of 3-5 minute YouTube videos that explain the benefits of hiring people with disabilities to employers Create a certification program for job coaches Use window stickers or signs to brand local businesses that hire people with disabilities 3 Critical Elements of a Community Conversation Snacks People Location https://vimeo.com/128290120 Questions to Consider What makes your community unique?
Who is critical to include? What do you hope will be different in your community? What barriers to employment exist for people with disabilities in your community?
http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/cedd/pdfs/ products/community/ LaunchingInclusiveEfforts.pdf
http://www.tennesseeworks.org/minigrant/
http://www.theworldcafe.com/key-concepts- resources/world-cafe-method/
Your Questions and Reactions
jennifer.bumble@vanderbilt.edu erik.carter@vanderbilt.edu www.tennesseeworks.org