October is National Disability Employment Month. This month is a ideal time to learn about how people with disabilities can find jobs and be successful at work. It’s also a time to talk about how important it is for everyone to have a chance to work and be part of their community.
One exciting program in Tennessee is called Medicaid Alternative Pathways to Independence (MAPs) offered through the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging. MAPs helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The goal is to help them be more independent at home, at work, and in the community.
MAPs is for young people still in high school, those who have already left school, and people waiting for services. It helps them develop important skills, like travelling independently, finding a job, and using technology to live on their own.
The MAPs program includes several types of services, like having a Community Navigator to help people learn how to get around their community. There’s also Independence Coaching to teach skills like home safety, personal health, and managing money. Another part of the program is called Employment Innovation, which helps people explore their job skills and career options.
MAPs is designed to help people for up to three years, with a yearly budget to support their goals. People also use technology, like phones and tablets, to create a map of their community and plan for the future.
The MAPs program is still enrolling new participants, so if you or someone you know could benefit, now is a great time to apply and learn more!