Preparing Youth with Disabilities for the Workforce
ODEP works to influence national policy and promote effective workplace practices to ensure that today's—and tomorrow's—workforce engages all people, including people with disabilities. As a result, one important policy focus area is youth transitioning from school to adulthood and the world of work. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 enacted an extensive employment program for serving eligible youth—ages 14-24.
One of the ways ODEP works to influence national policy is through various initiatives. These initiatives for youth with disabilities include: Guideposts for Success, Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth (CAPE-Youth), Employment Transition Model (ETM) Demonstration Grant, and Federal Partners in Transition, Policy Development Center and SSI-Youth. Also, ODEP provides additional resources for Youth, Policymakers, Youth Service Professionals, and Families.