This article originally appeared in START Connecting in October 2015.

Given that young adults with ASD have the lowest employment rate among those with disabilities, and that the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is more than double the rate for people without disabilities, it’s critical for schools to develop relationships and opportunities within their local communities in order to help transition youth with ASD gain employment. Wayne County recently implemented two Community Conversation events that addressed these needs.

A Community Conversation brings together diverse community members to collectively brainstorm strategies and resources that address a local challenge. In Wayne County, family members, educators, employers, higher education staff, and adult service agency providers attended two events where employment of youth with disabilities was the primary focus. While working in small groups, participants were asked thought-provoking questions, such as “If you are a parent or educator, what skills does your student have that could be a potential employee asset?” or “if you are an employer, what are some tasks that are not getting done that you have a need to fill?” A facilitator shared participant responses with the entire audience so that all community members walked away energized, and with ideas to support local employment opportunities for youth with disabilities.  

During one of the Community Conversation events, a Human Resources representative from DTE Energy in Detroit shared the story of Andrew, a Detroit High school student with a disability who revamped and color-coded an outdated filing system at the energy company. Andrew’s success, resulting from a partnership between DTE Energy and Project SEARCH, showcased the special skills and insights that students with disabilities can bring to a work environment. After hearing additional success stories, observing panel discussions, and participating in group brainstorming, participants left with many creative ideas and plans for action.

Business owners became more aware of supports that were available to them, including tax incentives and job coaching. Educators and higher education staff learned more about the needs of local businesses and experiential opportunities in their local areas. These events fostered powerful dialogue and connections among the diverse attendees, connections that will lead to new opportunities in Wayne County to support youth with disabilities in gaining meaningful work experiences.

Visit the START Community Conversation page to find out more. For more research and information on Community Conversations, visit Erik Carter's website. 

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