Resource Fair and Action Plan Release

“Inclusive Employment and Career for Boston Youth with Disabilities: Pathways to the Talent Pipeline"

Workforce Development TaskforceBoston Special Education Transition Project (B-SET)Massachusetts Advocates for Children

The release of Inclusive Employment and Career for Boston Youth with Disabilities: Pathways to the Talent Pipeline –– is on Saturday morning, October 24, from 10 AM – Noon, at the State Street Channel Center in South Boston.

This plan was developed by the Workforce Development Task Force of Massachusetts Advocates for Children’s Boston Special Education Transition Project (B-SET) with support from the Boston Foundation, SkillWorks, The J.E. & Z.B. Butler Foundation, Justice Resource Institute, and the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston. The report was made possible by grants and in-kind support from CVS Health, State Street Corporation, TJX Companies and Spaulding Rehabilitation Network.

In 2012 the employment rate was 33% for people with disabilities and 79.6% for those without disabilities. In Massachusetts the poverty rate for people with disabilities is four times that of those without disabilities. Nationally, in 2014 the employment rate for youth with disabilities, ages 16 to 19, was 15.1 percent, as compared to 27.3 percent for their peers without disabilities. The employment rate for youth with disabilities, ages 20 to 24, was 30.2 percent, compared to 63.9 percent for youth without disabilities.

These data speak squarely to a need captured in the Task Force’s goal, “To increase inclusive workforce and post-secondary education placements and opportunities for Boston youth with disabilities, for all types and severities, while enrolled in school and after exiting.”

Since it was initiated in 2014, Task Force membership has grown to 70 member organizations representing public schools and higher education, disability service agencies at state and local levels, youth service organizations, the business community, organized labor, workforce training and intermediary organizations, disability advocates and city government. This comprehensive action plan is comprised by 7 major goal areas that involve the public schools, community based organizations, higher education, workforce development and businesses.

The Resource Fair will run from 10 – 11 AM. Formal presentations will take place from 11 AM – 12 noon. Dr. Tommy Chang, Boston Public Schools superintendent, will be speaking. Other city and state officials have been invited, and we plan to hear from several youth who have participated in local programs.

STATE ST. CHANNEL CENTER

Directions: Parking next door to the facility ($8.00 on Saturday)

T accessibility - RED LINE BROADWAY