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| Public Policy, Accommodation Rights, and Advocacy |
| Monday, September 30, 2019 |
| 2:00 PM–2:50 PM |
| Stockholm Waterfront Congress Centre, Level 2, Meeting Room 24/25 |
| Chair: Carmel Leonard (Simmons College) |
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| Teaching Reasonable Accommodation Rights in an Employment Setting to Young Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities |
| Area: DDA |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| RICHARD PRICE (Michigan State University; Hope Network Center for Autism), Marisa H Fisher (Michigan State University), Matthew T. Brodhead (Michigan State University), John Wenzel (Michigan State University) |
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| Abstract: Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience difficulty maintaining employment, as they experience discrimination and violations against their legal rights that often lead to loss of employment. Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in employment settings; yet, few individuals with IDD are aware of the ADA and their rights under the law. The current study examined the effectiveness of a Disability Rights Training and visual aids to increase participants’ knowledge of reasonable accommodation rights in an employment setting. Using a multiple probe design, 9 individuals with IDD (ages 19-24) participated. Pre-intervention, participants displayed variable knowledge of disability rights, evidenced by low scores on a video assessment of 10 scenarios in which participants were asked to determine if a scenario of an accommodation request denial depicted a rights violation or non-violation. Post-intervention, 8 participants increased correct responding on the video assessment; 6 required additional supports (e.g., feedback and/or booster sessions) to enhance accuracy, and 1 participant was removed for disruptive behavior. Overall the current training increased knowledge of disability rights for 8 of 9 participants with IDD, allowing them to advocate for their rights and to improve employment outcomes. |
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| Public Policy Implications of the Autism Community With Language Skills Speaking on Behalf of the Non-Verbal |
| Area: AUT |
| Domain: Service Delivery |
| CARMEL LEONARD (Nashoba Learning Group) |
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| Abstract: With the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5's integration of Asperger's Syndrome into Autism Spectrum Disorder, a much wider range of individuals with divergent interests and needs are identified by a single diagnosis. Advocates who feel their autism is a benefit speak on behalf of those for whom autism has brought severe challenges. This paper discusses the areas of public policy where the needs of people on opposite ends of the spectrum diverge, to the disadvantage of those with more severe presentations. |
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