Bill aims to boost job opportunities for disabled Bill aims to boost employment opportunities for N.C. individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Three years ago, the Republican-led N.C. General Assembly approved legislation offering individuals with disabilities a chance to lead more financially independent lives.

This time around, a group of legislators wants to help those individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities get and keep a job by hiring a state health director and staff members who are focused solely on those goals.

In 2015, both chambers unanimously approved House Bill 556, also known as the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act, or ABLE.

A federal law, which took effect in December 2014, enables families with disabled children to save for their child's long-term disability expenses through a 529A tax-exempt investment plan similar to those for college education expenses. The 529A accounts are available to families whose child was determined to suffer from a qualified disability before age 26.

The law also allows people with disabilities to save up to $100,000 - up from just $2,000 previously - without risking their eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid and other government programs. There would be an annual $14,000 contribution or gift limit, including wages.

Last week, House Bill 984, co-sponsored by state Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, was introduced.

"Individuals in N.C. with disabilities need our support and help in any way we can to enable them to feel like they are valued and productive citizens of our state," Lambeth said.

The main component of HB 984 is establishing an executive position within the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services for a director of education and employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The director would be responsible for "establishing a statewide vision for inclusive post-secondary education and quality employment," including within state agencies that serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The bill would allow the state health secretary to set the director's salary, while the compensation of staff members would follow state guidelines.

Lambeth said having a director and staff dedicated to this initiative will improve the chances of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities getting assistance with their educational and vocational goals.

Groups being asked to collaborate include the N.C. Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services, the N.C. Division of Vocational Services, the state university and community college systems, and the N.C. Commerce, Labor and Public Instruction departments.

The bill would require these groups to "devise strategies to increase employer awareness and incentives to support competitive integrated employment," as well as "create a systems map to connect individuals to (educational and community) resources."

It would also require identifying and finding solutions to educational and employment barriers such as program credentials, access to transportation, individual financial assistance and employer apprenticeships and other partnerships.

rcraver@wsjournal.com 336-727-7376 @rcraverWSJ