Why should I participate with Transition Services by hiring a Transition Student?
Past and present employers working with RISD Transition Services have consistently indicated our students excel in productivity, work safety, reliability, dedication and longevity. In addition, employers report that involvement with Transition Students has enhanced their standing in the community.
A Transition Student:
« places their job as the primary priority in their life.
« is dedicated, loyal and excited to be working.
« is a long-term employee, reducing employee turnover.
« is trained to utilize public transportation, increasing reliability.
« understands the importance of being at work, on time, when scheduled.
« often excels at repetitive tasks.
« offers employers a substantial federal tax credit.
How are Transition Students supported after they are hired?
Transition Students work in an environment of ongoing supported employment, which simply means RISD Transition Services, working in cooperation with the employer, continues to offer specialized services, training and support after students are hired.
After students are employed, Transition Services provides:
« information, skills and diversity training to employers, better enabling support of the student employee in the work setting.
« ongoing services and job coaching throughout employment to ensure success.
« assistance to both employee and employer by developing training strategies, adaptations, and accommodations for the employee as they learn new job tasks.
« a variety of continuous support as deemed necessary by the employer.
« connection with appropriate adult agencies to continue ongoing job support after students exit the RISD Transition Program.
What characteristics can employers expect from a Transition Student employee?
Before Transition Students are hired as paid employees, they receive training, skill development and job-specific instruction. Students also have received work experience through internships at local businesses.
An employer hiring a Transition Student can expect an employee:
« who is job-ready and experienced due to training in internships at local businesses.
« who wants to work.
« who has expressed a preference in doing the more repetitive type of work.
« who is seeking a long-term, entry-level position.
« with a willingness and readiness to learn new tasks.
« who brings diversity and strengthens morale.
How can the Americans with disabilities Act affect the decision to hire a Transition Student?
Transition Services works with each business to address equality for people with disabilities, ensuring access in the workplace.
The Americans with Disabilities Act is a federal civil rights law that states that employees with disabilities must be “reasonably accommodated.” Reasonable accommodation is any modification or adjustment to a job or work environment that will enable a qualified applicant or employee with a disability to participate in the application process or perform essential job functions.
Examples of reasonable accommodations Transtition Services can assist in providing include restructuring a job, modifying work schedules or job coaching. There are tax credits available to help with the cost of some accommodations, however, the costs for most accommodations by employers working with RISD Transition Services are negligible or nonexistent.
For more information on ADA in Texas please visit www.ada.gov or call 800-514-0301
How do businesses that hire a Transition Student receive a tax advantage?
In addition to gaining a valuable, dependable employee, businesses that hire a person with a disability qualify for a substantial federal tax credit.
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax credit that reduces the federal tax liability of private employers who hire from eight targeted groups.
The credited amount can bin up to $2,000 per new hire for wages paid in the first 12 months of employment.
RISD Transition Services can provide employers the form (IRS 8850) and signature verification required to receive this tax credit. The form must be filed with the IRS within 21 days of employment.
Additional information can be obtained by visiting www.irs.ustreas.gov or by calling 800-695-6879.