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Monday, May 9, 2011

Illinois Low funding, long waiting lists have special needs adults struggling to find work

Low funding, long waiting lists have special needs adults struggling to find work - Beacon News
By Angela Bender For The Beacon-News May 8, 2011

Seth Harbin, who has Down syndrome, turned 22 last month. Because the Illinois public school system provides special education for those with developmental disabilities only until their 22nd birthdays, that means Seth is no longer able to attend Yorkville High School, where he has been a student for seven years.


{photo: Busboy Seth Harbin keeps a close eye on all the tables at Sunfield's Restaurant in Yorkville on Wednesday, May 4, 2011. Harbin, who has Down’s syndrome, turned 22 last month and is no longer able to attend Yorkville High School where he has been a student for seven years. | Steven Buyansky~Sun-Times Media}

“Seth is very social,” said his mom, Patty Harbin. “There’s no way I’d want him sitting at home watching TV all day.”

Because Seth’s daily routine will no longer include going to school, according to Patty, having either paid employment or a volunteer position is crucial so that he will have a purpose each day. Currently, he works alongside a job coach a couple of mornings each week at Sunfield’s Restaurant in Yorkville. He busses tables and helps keep the restaurant clean. And, his employment has been mutually beneficial, according to co-owner Vinnie Saliu.

“He’s friendly and fun to work with,” Saliu said. “When I see him, it makes my day.”

Seth also will be returning to Yorkville High School, not as a student, but as a volunteer. For four hours a day, he will assist physical education teachers, cleaning equipment and working with maintenance employees cleaning the lunchroom.

“This is a total blessing because we always thought that would be a dream because he loves the school environment,” Patty Harbin said. “He loves the people there so much.”

Overwhelming demand

The problem Patty sees, though, is that many people with special needs cannot find employment or volunteer work. And the agencies that place them or provide training have seen their funding cut in recent years.

Those with developmental disabilities who are looking for employment are placed on a Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services list. And, according to the Arc of Illinois, which represents 220,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, there are currently 21,000 individuals on that waiting list in the state.

According to Michael Rosenfield, marketing and communications coordinator for the Association for Individual Development (AID), the Fox Valley is not an exception, with a large waiting list here for individuals in need of services.



{photo: Chef Sil Inkaya gives a fist bump to busboy Seth Harbin in the kitchen at Sunfield's Restaurant in Yorkville on Wednesday, May 4, 2011. Harbin, who has Down’s syndrome, turned 22 last month and is no longer able to attend Yorkville High School where he has been a student for seven years. | Steven Buyansky~Sun-Times Media}

Library, grocery stores
trying to offer jobs

Seth obtained his volunteer position by working with a Kendall County special education cooperative coordinator. AID, which is based in Aurora and serves the Fox Valley, is another agency to which those with disabilities can turn for job training and vocational coaches. AID has job training in food service, janitorial work or manufacturing for those with disabilities. According to Rosenfield, AID has many businesses, including companies such as Jewel and Meijer, which call on them when they are in need of employees.

The Oswego Public Library is another organization that recently used the services of AID to hire two employees. About a year ago, they took on two volunteers with special needs, and after six months, they hired both as paid employees. The individuals currently work as pages placing books on shelves, making sure shelves are in order and assisting in the youth services department.

“We enjoy being a part of the community,” said Sarah Skilton, director of the Oswego Public Library, “It’s been very fruitful. They’re great employees.”

But AID not only helps find companies that will provide meaningful work for those with disabilities, they also employ many with disabilities to work on a wide variety of projects including shrink wrapping, assembly and labeling.

Having this kind of work available makes a big difference in the daily lives of people like Seth.

“It’s a reason to get up in the morning,” Patty said, “and do something just like everybody else.”

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