After the Ride: Job Numbers Grim for People With Disabilities

Occasionally, we look at how schools prepare special needs riders for life after the bus ride ends. Transition planning often includes travel training on how to use public transit systems and getting them ready for the working world. But like everywhere else opportunities here are shrinking. "In February, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities rose to 14 percent compared with 8.7 percent for the rest of the population ... Meanwhile, just 19.8 percent of people with disabilities are employed compared to 64.8 percent for the rest of the population." Indiana University East Disability & Community Blog laments:

For many students with disabilities, becoming a productive citizen is a deciding factor in whether they can enjoy the liberties of a democratic society. People with disabilities are often dependent upon social services to provide a variety of supports that make it possible for them to be employed. It can take months if not years to get agency help coordinated in ways that make employment possible. It is a daunting task to start the support process all over again when a job falls through.

Special Needs and the Economy

Recently, we highlighted how pupil transportation could provide "recession-proof" jobs in 2009. A number of contractors say nationwide job loss is helping them with driver recruitment and retention. But before the yet-to-be-passed stimulus package can bolster school and special needs funding, some districts are making cuts, including one Indiana district that recently decided to cut school bus aides. As expected, the news has prompted considerable comment and discussion. In California, it seems some non-classroom employees are expecting budget cuts as well.