Indiana is reaching out to large corporations and smaller businesses, helping them directly tap into the Indiana disability community as a powerful labor (and customer) base The Indiana Institute and its partners, along with Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services are providing resources, training, and other services to Indiana businesses as they discover the benefits of hiring employees with disabilities. Businesses often find that their overall productivity increases and that workers with disabilities can be loyal, valuable team members who bring a unique perspective and can help expand company outreach capabilities.
Employment
Benefits Information Network
The Benefits Information Network (BIN) is improving the ability of people with disabilities to use and access federal and state work incentives by providing an informed, efficient network of Indiana benefits information counselors and organizations that provide disability support services.
Funded by Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services and administered through the Center on Community Living and Careers, the BIN:
- Provides a comprehensive curriculum for BIN training;
- Trains BIN liaisons and ensures that they have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the programs;
- Disseminates information on federal and state work incentives and provides regular updates to BIN liaisons; and
- Provides ongoing training and technical assistance to BIN liaisons on work incentives and community resources enhancing employment. Learn more about Indiana's Benefits Information Network
Employment Services and Supports
Indiana's Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) is a key resource for individuals with disabilities and their families who are preparing for employment. VRS is both a key component of effective secondary transition - the process of moving from school to adult life - as well as a source of information and support for those who are looking for jobs or who are currently employed, regardless of age.
The Center on Community Living and Careers works with VRS as well as local and national organizations and agencies to promote innovative employment programs and to support Indiana professionals who work to improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
Learn more about Employment Services and SupportsDay and Employment Services Outcomes System (DESOS) Report
The “Day & Employment Services Outcomes Systems Report (DESOS)” is
an annual statistical documentation of the types of work or alternatives
to work in which individuals with disabilities are engaged throughout
Indiana. The report is compiled by the Center on Community Living and
Careers for the Indiana Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, a bureau of
the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services and the state's
Family and Social Services Administration.
The DESOS report
provides information about people with disabilities who are receiving
supports from Indiana's adult service providers. Essentially, DESOS
gives state administrators, legislators, and providers themselves a data
“snapshot,” which can help policy makers answer questions about where
thousands of individuals throughout Indiana are spending the majority of
their day; what types of work they may be doing; and the outcomes they
are achieving related to employment, specifically wages earned and hours
worked.
Report highlights
Data can be used to develop statewide, regional, and local benchmarks for community employment.
52%
48 service providers out of 93 reported data.
10,586
individuals are represented in the report.
Majority
of individuals spend their time in either sheltered employment or individual competitive jobs rather than day programs.
The Library at the Indiana Institute
The Indiana Institute’s Library and referral services strive to be the primary disability library for residents of the state of Indiana by providing access to appropriate, quality materials and services.
The lending Library contains over 8,000 books, videos, and kits are available that may be borrowed by anyone in Indiana. The materials cross disabilities, the life span, life areas (such as education, employment, and recreation), and disciplines. The library has over 20 Resource Guides which have been developed to assist our patrons information about specific topics in our collection. Resource Guide topics include Behavior Supports, EMPLOYMENT, Families, Personal Futures Planning, and School Inclusion and much more.
Learn more about the Institute's Library