Jefferson Area Disability Services Board

Needs Assessment Report 2009

Executive Summary
This Needs Assessment is a joint effort between the Jefferson Area Disability Services Board (DSB) and the Jefferson Area Transition Council (JATC). The assessment examines the needs of people with all types of disabilities in the Thomas Jefferson Planning District, which consists of the City of Charlottesville and the Counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson.

The purpose of this assessment is to identify unmet needs to determine needed programs and services for people with disabilities within the Thomas Jefferson Planning District. This is a comprehensive study of the needs of people with all types of disabilities in the planning district undertaken as a joint effort between the Jefferson Area Disability Services Board (DSB) and the Jefferson Area Transition Council (JATC). This Needs Assessment will be used as the basis for an action plan to launch new initiatives to address the identified gaps in services.

This process began with assembling an advisory group to guide the preparation of the Needs Assessment, as outlined in the first section of the THA Toolkit. The process gathered new input through a survey instrument and work sessions with the Disability Services Board and Transition Council. Information was also drawn from a variety of data sources, as well as from previous surveys, studies and planning efforts focused on the needs of people with disabilities.

Full community inclusion for people with disabilities is impeded by limited choices for housing and transportation. To achieve independent living, some assistive technology, training, or assistance may be needed to prepare for and maintain employment, develop independent living skills, and enjoy a meaningful social life. While the region offers a wide array of services, there are still many barriers in our community that can isolate people with disabilities and limit employment opportunities and affordability, accessibility and choice in housing and transportation.

The data and input gathered through this process suggested a number of initiatives to address unmet needs:

Housing:
Launch a homesharing program matching homeproviders with homeseekers, and roommates, including roommates who can serve as guides for young adults with disabilities.

Develop a home modification program providing information and assistance on tax credits, financing options, design of modifications, and securing a contractor.

Provide training for planners and building officials in accessible design.
Promote the development of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in the urban core to provide safe, decent, affordable housing near bus routes.

Promote Universal Design in housing and communities through workshops, presentations, displays, and other events.
Include the needs of people with disabilities in redevelopment plans, including Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority (CRHA) and Habitat for Humanity properties.

Transportation:
Match people with disabilities with volunteer drivers through RideShare and facilitate volunteer drivers by addressing liability issues and insurance. Introduce RideShare to special education students through presentations in area high schools.

Partner with agencies and organizations serving the elderly to leverage efforts toward creating livable communities.

Continue to identify crosswalks and sidewalks where improvements are needed and work with the City and Albemarle County to implement upgrades. Provide additional accessible parking spaces within the urban core.

Continue the JAUNT Stars program to provide vouchers to use JAUNT during job training, job search and the initial period of employment prior to the first paycheck.

Independent Living:
Offer a series of awareness seminars done in a positive way to inform decision makers and the public about the needs and contributions of people with disabilities and barriers to community inclusion

Train a new type of life coach for young adults with disabilities to develop skills and techniques to live independently, addressing employment, housing, transportation, social life, and financial management.

Highlight and honor disability-friendly businesses and employers through a Business Directory and recognizing employers who effectively integrate people with disabilities into their workforce.

Assistive Technology
Lease equipment, including devices for emergency preparedness, through an assistive technology loan program.
Partner with agencies and organizations serving the elderly, including the Institute on Aging, to identify the needs for assistive technology to deliver services and promote independence.

Employment
Investigate the possibility of replicating Project SEARCH in this area. Project SEARCH provides employment and education opportunities for individuals with significant disabilities through innovative workforce and career development.

Develop an integrated approach to employment training, utilizing a variety of programs in the area to combine job training, social skills, and self-advocacy into a coordinated program combining funding streams.

Provide training for employers on the benefits of hiring people with disabilities. Include effective supervision techniques that identify and utilize natural supports in the workplace and draw on area resources to integrate job carving, process modification and assistive technology to fully tap the capabilities of people with disabilities.

Emergency Preparedness
Incorporate Evacuation Plans for Populations with Special Needs for all localities in the update of the Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan.