The budget passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate totally eliminates a program that is extremely vital to about 3,000 people with disabilities employed today because they have access to the long-term assistance of a job coach. This Division of Rehabilitation Services program only costs the State about $1M dollars per year to operate. The funds are used only for the purpose of keeping these individuals with the most significant disabilities employed. Without these services, the unemployment level in Illinois will raise by 3,000 more people.
For people with the most significant disabilities, being employed often times is less about the money and more about being responsible, striving to reach a level of independence, self esteem, friendship, and a feeling of personal success. Illinois can and should find the money in the budget for this critical service. If there is money in the amount of $1,057,500 for the DuQuoin State Fair and Illinois State Fair entertainment and award costs, then there should be another million more somewhere to keep 3,000 dedicated employees with disabilities on their jobs.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the unemployment rate for people with disabilities, (meaning those who are not working and are actively seeking work) for December 2010 at 14% compared with 9% for people without a disability. Additionally, during the same period, only 21% of all adults with disabilities participated in the labor force compared with 69% of the non-disabled population (December 2010 Current Population Survey). Additionally, according to the 2009 American Community Survey, on average people with any disability earned 30% less from work annually than the average amount earned by people in the general population, and people with a cognitive disability earned less than half of what the general population earned from working.
Ray Graham Association is looking to get more exposure for this issue. Governor Quinn needs to know that although these cuts seem small in the overall budget picture they are extremely devastating to the individuals currently receiving these services. RGA provides support to 15 of the people who will be adversely affected by this budget cut. We ask that the Governor restore this funding which will allow 3,000 of the state’s most severely disabled residents the opportunity to remain employed.
For more than 60 years, The Ray Graham Association for People with Disabilities has been helping adults and children with developmental disabilities. Ray Graham Association provides a broad array of services and support, including early intervention, residential, day programs and supported employment services, to thousands of children and adults with developmental disabilities throughout the western suburbs. Ray Graham Association is the first organization in the world that supports people with disabilities to be accredited by the Council on Quality Leadership using the Quality Measures 2005 and Person-Centered Excellence 2010. The nonprofit organization was named in honor of the late Mr. Ray Graham, the first director of special education in Illinois.
For more information on Ray Graham Association and its services, please call (630) 620-2222 or visit us on the web at www.ray-graham.org.
# For the Ray Graham Association click headline or go to: http://www.ray-graham.org/
The Ray Graham Association is dedicated to serving people with developmental disabilities by providing leadership that supports full participation in an improved quality of life, strengthens families and inspires community involvement
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