Know Your Rights: Disability Employment & Housing w/Ibrahim “Bebo” Saab, Esq. w/Disability Rights California

In this episode you will learn about advocacy and legal rights for people with intellectual and physical disabilities to include various aspects of disability support, educational transitions, employment opportunities, housing options and protection against financial abuse.

1. Regional Centers in each county provide financial support for developmental and intellectual disabilities:

Autism

Cerebral Palsy

Intellectual Disabilities

Epilepsy

These are conditions that occur as an outgrowth of intellectual disabilities / supportive living services.

Income does not affect eligibility for services.

Acts as a payor of last resort, requiring documentation of attempts to exhaust generic resources before providing assistance.

2. Self-advocacy is important within the disability rights community for the following services:

IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services) for physical and intellectual disabilities

Transitioning from high school or college to work opportunities requires a different aspect of support services

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) transition planning must begin at age 16, including conversations with the individual regarding their interests and future plans.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2012 provides free employment services and support.

The Department of Rehabilitation supports students with disabilities through education and employment opportunities like “self-determination dollars” and micro-enterprise programs for people with disabilities to start their own companies.

Employment First Policy in California aims to provide competitive, integrated employment opportunities, moving away from segregated work environments and minimum wage jobs.

Disability Rights California is the largest disability rights organization in the country, but there are other Disability Rights organizations in almost every state.

3. Financial Abuse of Disabled Individuals is a concern.

Financial abuse is prevalent within caregivers and others who manage money for disabled people.

Alternatives to Conservatorships, another avenue of potential financial abuse includes power of attorney, supportive decision-making, advance directives that emphasize empowerment and protection against financial abuse.

4. Housing: One of the biggest challenges in transitioning from high school to employment are the parents who don’t want to let their children with disabilities leave home. Knowing how to have the right support services for your disabled child will help parents feel more comfortable about having their child leave home.

Living where you feel comfortable is most important for disabled people.

Options in Housing:

Supported Living

Foster Family / Host Family

Brookwood Community, Texas

Lambs Farm, Illinois

Know your rights to work Americans with disabilities act, fair housing rights for people with disabilities, reasonable accommodations, what are the employment rights for people with disabilities, joining the work force best practices, what are the rights for disabled people, how to find a lawyer to represent a special needs child, what lawyers represent disabled individuals, know your rights, advocating for workplace disability access and accommodations ADA, ADA protections at your work place, understanding ADA for workers

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