Employment

It is the policy of the Commonwealth of Kentucky that competitive integrated employment shall be considered the first and primary option for person with disabilities of working age who desire to become employed. Kentucky’s Employment First Policy was signed into law on March 24, 2022. Employment in the general workforce should be the first and preferred option for individuals with disabilities receiving assistance from publicly-funded systems.

The mission of ISAW is to support employers and in their understanding of issues relevant to autism and employment. Through in-person trainings, online modules, and ongoing supports, we work to increase employment for workers on the autism spectrum.

Connecting Kentucky to employment, workforce information, education and training. The Kentucky Career Center stands ready to assist Kentuckians with disabilities in achieving suitable employment and independence. Kentucky Career Center offers a comprehensive range of services for people with disabilities.

The Kentucky Department of Workforce Investment, University of Kentucky Human Development Institute, and other committed project partners are leading Kentucky’s RETAIN Demonstration Project. This collaborative effort is known as the RETAINing Kentucky’s Workforce through Universal Design. Building on state efforts including Kentucky Work Matters, Employment First, and the Call to Action to Meet Commonwealth Workforce Needs, RETAIN Kentucky will use peer support, assistive technology and universal design to promote quality, coordinated health and employment-related stay-at-work/return-to-work (SAW/RTW) services. RETAIN Kentucky service coordinators will work directly with employers to assess the impact of SAW/RTW activities and help workers facing illness or injury remain in or return to the workforce.

What is Supported Employment? Kentucky has over 80 entities that provide supported employment. Some are freestanding agencies that only provide supported employment. Others provide other services in addition to supported employment. When seeking supported employment, you may begin by talking with supported employment providers (KY Supported Employment Provider List). Alternatively, your first step may be contacting the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) where your OVR eligibility will be determined and referrals made to supported employment providers. Regardless, it is important to interview supported employment providers to learn about their ways of approaching employment services. As is true for all types of services, there is a significant range of quality

Transition is the “exit” out of a child’s secondary school to the adult world. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that children with disabilities have access to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) that prepares them for further education, employment, and independent living. One strategy for ensuring a successful transition, is planning. As part of IDEA, schools are required to provide transition planning to help the student identify interests, strengths, preferences and needs. Transition planning also means identifying possible post-school activities, including postsecondary education, vocational education, integrated employment, continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, and/or community participation. Transition is also developing a coordinated set of activities for a student that will help him or her to achieve those goals.

Every student participates in school activities with a goal of being prepared to function at some level of independence as a result of the student's school experience. Although this is no different for students with disabilities, differences do exist as far as what needs to occur before and after graduation if students are to move successfully from high school to post-school activities such as training, employment and independent living.

The Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation assists Kentuckians with disabilities to achieve suitable employment and independence. The office employs approximately 140 rehabilitation counselors in over 50 offices covering all 120 counties in Kentucky.