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June 22 marks the ceremonial 25th anniversary of the landmark civil rights Olmstead Decision. In this case, the Supreme Court held that “unjustified isolation of individuals with disabilities” through “undue institutionalization,” constituted discrimination based on disability in violation of Title II of The  Americans with Disabilities Act  (ADA). [1]   more

Texas’s One Slide Challenge presentation during the SELN January 2024 monthly network meeting included a short description of a new employment navigator pilot program. Texas is one of several states carving a navigator role in the employment service system for people with disabilities including IDD. There are at least five states – Delaware, Florida, Minnesota, New Mexico and Texas – with similarly-named navigator roles. These states, each with unique geography and history, have or are crafting how a navigator role can improve employment outcomes, how to fund this role, where and why navigators are needed and navigator competencies.  more

We are honored to announce that Jean Winsor, ICI Senior Research Associate and Project Manager, has received the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) Public Policy Award for her outstanding contributions to the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). more

As November closes, we are grateful for so many things. We are grateful for your continued passion and efforts to move systems forward towards ‘there’ that we discussed at the 2023 SELN Annual Meeting themed, “Are We There yet?”. We are also grateful for all those working to support people with disabilities directly in many different ways. more

Every October we recognize and celebrate the skills and talents of people with disabilities to work in the community through National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This year the theme is “Advancing Access and Equity”. You can find the official marketing material and information about how to celebrate on the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) NDEAM webpage. more

As an employment lead for your state IDD agency, new or veteran, it can be overwhelming. You likely have multiple responsibilities, not all directly focused on employment. How do you keep employment front and center in your state? Where can you find resources and support? Here are some good places to start!  more