nced_mig_guide_2012_final

NCED
Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities
Nevada Disability Employment
Resource Guide 2011
Diversifying Nevada’s Workforce
Scott Harrington, Ph.D., BCBA-D Sean Sykes, B.S. Chas Wassmuth, B.S.
NCED MS 285 - University of Nevada, Reno - Reno, NV 89557-0258
www.nced.info
This guide is a production of the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities at the University of Nevada, Reno

The mission of the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities is to work cooperatively with
agencies and programs to assist the diverse population of Nevadans with disabilities of all
ages to be independent and productive citizens who are fully included in their communities.
The Nevada Employment Resource Guide is a project of the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities (NCED) at the University of Nevada Reno, supported
in part by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services under the grant #90DD0648. The opinions
contained in this report are those of the grantee and do not necessarily reflect those of the funders.

Established in 1991, the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities (NCED) is a statewide program located in the College of Education at the
University of Nevada, Reno that works with a variety of state agencies, organizations, and university departments on disability issues.
Authors: Scott Harrington, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Sean Sykes, B.S., Chas Wassmuth, B.S.
This Employment Resource Guide was supported by the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG), DHHS #93.768, awarded to Nevada by CMS. The
authors would like to thank the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid in their generous funding of this project.
In addition, we would like to thank the following people and agencies for their assistance in preparing this guide: addition, we would like to
thank the following people and agencies for their assistance in preparing this guide:
Sierra Regional Center
Rosie Melarkey, B.A., Jim Cribari, B.S. & Darcey Kaumans, B.A.
Institute for Community Inclusion
John Butterworth, Ph.D.
Desert Regional Center
Tanya Griffin, B.A.
Thurston/Mason County Division of Developmental Disabilities
Jane Boone, M.A.
Rural Regional Center
Jessica Adams, B.S., B.A.
Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies
Jennifer Norland, M.S.
Nevada State Demographer
Jeff Hardcastle, AICP
Nevada Disability Employment Resource Guide 2011 is a project of the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities, University of Nevada,
Reno. Permission to reproduce and disseminate information is granted provided acknowledgement is given and the source is cited as:
Nevada Disability Employment Resource Guide 2011.
1664 N. Virgina St, Mail Stop 285 Reno, Nevada 89557-0258
Telephone: (775) 682-9059 Fax: (775) 784.4997 sharring@unr.edu www.nced.info
NCED
Nevada Disability Employment
Resource Guide 2011

Nevada Disability Employment Resource Guide 2011 www.nced.info
Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities, University of Nevada, Reno
4 Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Diversifying Nevada’s Workforce
S
upporting people with disabilities to participate in the labor market is a priority concern for federal and state policy makers (Kiernan,
Hoff, Freeze, & Mank, 2011). But despite the clear policy intent, there is a large, and widening gap between the employment rates for
persons with and without disabilities. In 2010, funding from the Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (NGCDD)
was used to address this inequality by supporting the 2010 Employment Policy Summits in Elko, Reno, and Las Vegas (Harrington,
McKinlay, & Rock, 2010; Timmons, 2011). This Employment Policy Summit brought Nevada’s leaders together with parents, businesses,
administrators, and citizens with disabilities. The goal was to identify and capture the barriers to employment for persons with disabilities,
and design a precise working plan to overcome these barriers. From the three Summits, six Outcome Priorities were distilled, one of which
was “Involve Stakeholders in the improvement of interagency collaboration and communication” (Harrington et al, 2010). This Collaborative
Resource Guide is follow-up to this Outcome, and tool to be used by policy makers to make informed decisions that will help Nevadans
with disabilities contribute to the labor pool.
This Employment Resource Guide simply brings data together from various published resources and presents the data (Nevada and
national) for informed decision-making. These include: the employment rate, unemployment rate, poverty, wages earned, utilization of
Social Security Work Incentives, and other topics. This Guide also includes a comprehensive list of agencies and programs that provide
employment support for Nevadans with disabilities. This first edition has 80 such resources, however we anticipate this number increasing
with each annual update. The Guide also contains several examples of Best Practices from across the United States that have passed the
test of time and produced robust outcomes. Although a wide range of activities, elements, and methods can be found in Best Practices,
it concisely can be distilled to “clarity in which the state system identified, transmitted, and maintained commitment to the goals of
community inclusion and integrated employment” (Butterworth, Smith, Hall, Migliore, Winsor, Domin, & Timmons, 2012, p. 41).
Despite being in perhaps one of the most challenging times in Nevada’s history with the nation’s highest unemployment rate, one
foreclosure filing per 139 households, and a stagnant economy, effective solutions require looking at data, tracking trends, and asking
questions based on the numbers. These data show that if you are a Nevadan with a disability, in 2010 the unemployment rate is 19.6%,
whereas the employment rate is between 28%-40%. This is in contrast to those without disabilities where the unemployment rate was 14%
and employment rate 74%. The gap is also seen in wages earned, hours worked, and average position tenure. Nevadans with disabilities
earn 22% less per year than those without, are more likely to live in poverty, and rely on governmental subsidies, not because they want
to, but because the infrastructure does not exist. This is particularly true if your disability impacts your Independent Living, Self-Care,
Ambulation, or Cognition, compared to Vision or Hearing. This Employment Resource Guide is a starting point for discussion on policy and
program change in Nevada to support those that want to enter the workforce.

5
Executive Summary..........................................................................................................................4
Introduction....................................................................................................................................6
Data Sources.....................................................................................................................................7
Overview of Nevada’s State Demographics..................................................................................13
Labor Statistics.......................................................................................................................22
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA-911).........................................................26
Discussion................................................................................................................................28
Best Practices..................................................................................................................................31
Nevada Employment Resources for People with Disabilities.....................................................33
Appendix & References..................................................................................................................43
Appendix.................................................................................................................................44
Acronym List (AL)..................................................................................................................44
Nevada Employment Summit Outcomes June - July 2010................................................45
References................................................................................................................................46
TableofContentS

6
A starting point for discussion on Policy & Program Change in Nevada
A
s the national economic downturn of the late 2000’s changed
America, many Nevadans found themselves suddenly
unemployedandunderemployed.Theriseoftheunemployment
rate from 5.8% in 2005 to 14.1% in 2010 was unprecedented, and
left many qualified residents out of work (American Community
Survey, ACS Table S2301). Although the new unemployment rate
was considerably higher, for those with disabilities it was just more
of the same. Over the same time period, the unemployment rate
for people with disabilities rose from 12.3% in 2005 to 19.6% in
2010 (American Community Survey Table S2301). An additional and
more sensitive measure of employment is the employment rate or
the percent of persons working.
InNevada,since2008, theemploymentrateforpeople withdisabilities
has been declining, and was estimated by the ACS in 2009 to have
dropped to 40.5% compared to 73.8% for persons without disabilities
(ages 18-64). This is 33.3% disparity in the workforce between those
with and without disabilities. A more conservative measure than the
ACS, the Current Population Survey (CPS) estimated 28% of working
age adults with disabilities are employed, compared with 70% of
people without disabilities, resulting in a 42% gap (CPS, 2009). The
disparities in employment and unemployment rates are similar to
differences in wages, hours worked, and average position tenure.
Median annual earnings for those with disabilities in Nevada in 2010
were $23,635 compared to $30,111 for those without disabilities,
showing that people with disabilities made on average 22% less a
year (American Community Survey Table B18140). Households with
at least 1 person with disabilities were 2.6 times more likely to have
received food stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP) benefits (American Community Survey Table B22010). For
Nevadans with disabilities, there are also data that indicate disparities
in gender, hours worked, weeks employed, and percent of those
living in poverty. In fact, the percentage of Nevadans without a
disability living at or below 99% of the poverty level was 14.5% in
2010, compared to 18.3% for Nevadans with a disability (American
Community Survey Tables S1810 and C18131, respectively).
In addition to the large discrepancies in employment and wages,
participation in employment support programs for those with
disabilities has also been grossly underutilized. For example, of the
6,601 people awarded Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits
by the US Social Security Administration (SSA) in Nevada in 2009,
only five (5) persons were enrolled in the Plan to Achieve Self Support
(PASS) program (SSI Annual Statistical Report 2009, Tables 67 and
53). This innovative work incentive program allows money to be set
aside for employment goals.
In light of these facts, this Employment Resource Guide seeks to
become a starting point for discussion on policy and program
change in Nevada. By creating a comprehensive guide for disability
employment in Nevada, we aim to advise our state’s policy makers
of the condition of disability employment in Nevada, and allow them
to make informed decisions based on the facts. Our goal is to create
a renewable resource incorporating previously widespread data,
which may promote discussion and positive change for employment
of Nevadans with disabilities.
Finally, as a way to encourage productive discussion for disability
employment in Nevada, we will profile the policies and practices
of other states with better than average employment outcomes for
their citizens with disabilities. States vary widely in the extent to
which they support integrated employment, and six of these factors
will be discussed (Butterworth et al., 2012). By reviewing how high
performing states are producing their outcomes, we can hope to
generate discussion and systematically implement similar evidence-
based policies in Nevada. With our data transparent and reported
annually by the NCED, we will show an increasing number of Nevadans
with disabilities joining the workforce, contributing to the tax-base,
and close the disparity between those with and without disabilities.
Introduction
Introduction

7
DataSources
Humboldt
Pershing
Washoe
Storey
Carson City
Douglas
Lyon
Mineral
Esmeralda
Nye
Clark
Lincoln
White Pine
EurekaLander
Churchill
Elko
Nevada (i/nəˈvædə/) is a state in the western, mountain west, and
southwestern regions of the United States. Nevada is the 7th most
extensive, the 35th most populous, and the 9th least densely populated
of the 50 United States. Over 72% of Nevada’s people live in one
single county, Clark County, which contains the Las Vegas–Paradise
metropolitan area, where the state’s three largest incorporated cities
are located. Nevada’s capital is Carson City, located in the northwest
region of the state. Nevada is largely desert and semiarid, with much
of it located within the Great Basin. Areas south of the Great Basin
are located within the Mojave Desert, while Lake Tahoe and the Sierra
Nevada mountains lie on the western edge. Approximately 86% of the
state’s land is owned by the US government under various jurisdictions,
both civilian and military. The name Nevada is derived from the nearby
Sierra Nevada mountains, which means “snow-capped mountain
range” in Spanish. The establishment of legalized gambling and lenient
marriage and divorce proceedings in the 20th century transformed
Nevada into a major tourist destination. The tourism industry remains
Nevada’s largest employer, with mining continuing to be a substantial
sector of the economy as Nevada is the fourth largest producer of gold
in the world. Nevada is officially known as the “Silver State” due to the
importance of silver to its history and economy. It is also known as the
“Battle Born State” because it achieved statehood during the Civil War
and the “Sagebrush State” for the native eponymous plant.
Nevada
* Adapted from the Nevada Governor’s Office on Economic Development,
Carson City Economic Development, Wikipedia, and other sources below
http://nv.diversifynevada.com/resources/maps/
http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/pages/about.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevada
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elko,_Nevada
http://www.rndcnv.org/about_us.html
http://www.nevadaruraljobs.com/

8
Overview: Collecting data across a myriad of topics
T
here are several governmental agencies and programs
responsible for collecting data across a myriad of topics. It
should then come as no surprise that there may be overlap
and redundancy in the data being collected, as well as the remote
possibility of gaps. In a time of increased accountability, programs
are required to be more transparent and show fiduciary responsibility
by not only looking at outcome data, but also making decisions based
on these data.
This Resource Guide has reviewed several sources that collect data on
employment for persons with disabilities in Nevada, and throughout the
guide, will present the data via tables, graphs, and charts. All sources
will be referenced both under the data, as well as in the references.
The multiple sources should provide Nevada’s demographics in detail,
a comprehensive view of employment, and several comparisons
between Nevadan’s citizens with and without disabilities.
The primary data sources include “household surveys” which are
collected from the American Community Survey (ACS) and the Current
Population Survey (CPS). The Nevada Department of Employment,
Training, and Rehabilitation (DETR) are required to collect and analyze
workforce and economic data for Nevada. The Rehabilitation Division,
Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) are required to report data
on those they serve; these data are submitted to the Rehabilitation
Services Administration (RSA) via an annual report titled RSA-911.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is required to report data
on individuals that receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). They
do this through the SSI Annual Statistical Report, which contains
data on SSA work incentives, such as the Plans for Achieving Self
Support (PASS) and Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE). SSA
also administers the Ticket-to-Work Program, designed to provide
the ability for beneficiaries to purchase BVR, employment, or other
support service of their choice. The Nevada Department of Health and
Human Services (DHHS) Developmental Services provides supports and
services to individuals with Developmental Disabilities and Intellectual
Disabilities (DD/ID) across Nevada. They are required to collect and
report data on individuals that receive Jobs and Day Training Services
(JDT) amongst many other services. These data are submitted to
Medicaid (CMS) and the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at
the University of Massachusetts, Boston for publication in the State
Data: The National Report on Employment Services and Outcomes
(Butterworth, et al, 2012).
Each of the above sources is detailed below, as well as any
methodological changes to the instrument, which may influence
findings (i.e., ACS in 2008). The Data Sources will begin with the
largest and most comprehensive data set, the U.S. Census.
United States Census 2010
The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States, as it is
mandated by Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution. The data collected
by the decennial census determine the number of seats each state has
in the U.S. House of Representatives and is also used to distribute
billions in federal funds to local communities.
The Census Bureau conducts nearly one hundred surveys and censuses
every year. Data from surveys and censuses are available in American
FactFinder. The Decennial Census collects data every 10 years about
households, income, education, homeownership, and more for the
United States, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas.
http://2010.census.gov/2010census/about/
http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/what_we_
provide.xhtml
American Community Survey
The American Community Survey (ACS) is conducted annually, and
administered through the US Census Bureau. Each year’s data are
compiled from month to month results based on mail in questionnaires,
Data Sources
Data Sources

9
phone surveys and personal visits for households in the US and
Puerto Rico. Data for areas with a population larger than 65,000 are
collected every year, while data from areas with a population greater
than 20,000 are collected every three years, and data for all areas are
collected every 5 years. The ACS collects information on housing,
transportation, work, income, and social factors such as race, education
and disability status. Within the ACS, a disability is defined as, “a
long-lasting sensory, physical, mental, or emotional condition that
makes it difficult for a person to perform activities such as walking,
climbing stairs, dressing, bathing, learning, or remembering” (ACS
Design and Methodology, 6-6).
Beginning in 2008, methodological changes were made to the
questions asked in the ACS, with recommendations that data reported
through 2007 should not be compared to data published after 2008.
Important changes in questions asked on the ACS include: elimination
ofaquestionregardingdifficultyinworkingduetodisability,separation
of a question regarding hearing and sight disability into two questions
for each, replacement of learning limitation in a question with making
a decision, focusing strictly on walking movement (ambulation) rather
than various limb movements, limiting self care disability to dressing
and bathing, asking about limitations performing errands rather than
getting outside the home, and several limitations in duration and
severity definitions (disabilitystatistics.org). Although the ACS states
that these changes promote a better response rate, and produce
similar results, it is important not to compare pre 2007 data with
those obtained after 2008 due to this change in methodology.
The ACS defines disabilities based on a person’s interactions within
his/her environment. This theoretical framework holds that an
individual who does not obtain complete involvement in day-to-day
activities due to a mental or physical impairment is disabled. The
ACS recognizes four distinct subsets of disability, “hearing, vision,
cognition, and ambulation” (ACS 2010 Subject Definitions, 57). Finally,
the ACS augments these four areas of disability based on impairment
in, “bathing and dressing, and difficulty performing errands such as
shopping” (ACS 2010 Subject Definitions, 57). A person under 5 years
old is considered disabled based on sight and hearing problems.
A person between 5-14 is considered disabled based on sight, hearing,
cognition, ambulation, and self care difficulties. A person 15 or older
is considered disabled based on any difficulty as defined by ACS.
http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads/survey_methodology/
acs_design_methodology.pdf
http://www.disabilitystatistics.org/faq.cfm#Q3
http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Downloads/data_documentation/
SubjectDefinitions/2010_ACSSubjectDefinitions.pdf
Current Population Survey
The Current Population Survey (CPS) is a monthly study of labor related
data compiled for the Bureau of Labor Statistics by the US Census
Bureau. Data on employment status, wage, hours worked, etc. are
collected by telephone and personal interviews of 60,000 households.
Data is further stratified based on demographic identifiers such as
race, age, sex, and disability.
http://www.bls.gov/cps/cps_over.htm#source
Rehabilitation Services Administration 911
Report (RSA-911)
The U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services
Administration administers the Federal/state vocational rehabilitation
program authorized under the federal Rehabilitation Act to empower
people with disabilities to maximize employment, economic self-
sufficiency, independence, and inclusion and integration into society.
The RSA-911 report is submitted annually for the preceding fiscal
year by each state’s vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency. If the
state has a separate agency to specifically serve individuals who are
blind, as does Nevada, that agency submits a report with a separate
agency code. The Federal Rehabilitation Services Administration 911
Report aggregates many variables of outcomes related information,
Data Sources

10
including demographics, disability, interventions, and reason for
closure, employment status, sources of financial support, and more.
The values of certain fields (e.g. income, hours worked per week, etc.)
are reported both status at application and status at closure.
Rehabilitation Services Administration website:
http://rsa.ed.gov/
The RSA-911 Case Services Report can be obtained via:
http://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/rsa/pd-04-04.pdf
SSI Annual Statistical Report
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Annual Statistical Report
contains data on the Supplemental Security Income program
administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSI is
available to persons with disabilities, persons older than 65, and those
with sight impairments who are in need of financial assistance.
SSI defines a disability as, “a medically determinable physical or
mental impairment that is expected to last (or has lasted) at least
12 continuous months or to result in death and (1) if 18 or older,
prevents him or her from doing any substantial gainful activity, or (2)
if under 18, results in marked and severe functional limitations” (SSI
Annual Statistical Report 2010, 2). Several programs exist, as part of
SSI, that allow persons with disabilities to stay in SSI when they may
otherwise be excluded, or to aid the person in becoming self sufficient
and independent of government assistance.
The Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS) assists persons with disabilities
enrolled in SSI to pursue individual employment goals by permitting
funds to be set aside and discounted from SSI income eligibility
requirements. PASS allows money to be saved for the purpose of
obtaining a new career, and excludes this saved income from SSI
reportable income, such that the person may seek better and more
self-sufficient employment while remaining eligible for SSI benefits.
Section 1619(a) of the Social Security Act allows persons with
disabilities to continue receiving benefits even if they make more
than the Substantial Gainful Amount (SGA- a set amount of income
indicating productive and profitable work). A person is eligible for
Section 1619(a) if they continue to have the disability, make less
income than would disqualify him or her from all SSI benefits, and
conform to non-disability SSI requirements.
Section 1619(b) of the Social Security Act allows a person with
disabilities to receive Medicaid benefits if their earnings disqualify
them for SSI benefits. This allows an individual whose income
disqualifies them for SSI, but does not add up to the amount they
would receive from SSI, Medicaid, and other services if they did not
have the income to receive Medicaid benefits. To be eligible for
Section 1619(b), an individual must be disabled, need Medicaid to
work and not be able to afford equivalent private insurance, meet all
SSI non-disability requirements, and have received an SSI payment in
the previous month. The threshold income for someone working and
receiving Medicaid in Nevada is $30,135 for a person with a disability,
and $32,759 for a person who is blind (2011 Red Book).
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook/eng/The_Red_Book_2011_
remediated.pdf
Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE), or costs incurred by the
SSI recipient to enable him or her to work, are deductible from SSI
eligible income. This allows the individual with a disability to purchase
necessary aids to obtain and retain employment, without the funds
being used against them to potentially deny or reduce SSI benefits.
Blind Work Expenses (BWE) is similar to Impairment Related Work
Expenses. Costs incurred by a person with vision impairments to
obtain or retain employment are deductible from SSI income eligibility
calculations, such that the individual may retain their benefits while
spending to keep or get work.
http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/ssi_asr/2010/ssi_asr10.pdf
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is available to an individual
who previously worked and paid in to Social Security, but is unable to
Data Sources

11
work for a year or more due to a disability. To qualify, one must have
a disability that prevents work and will last at least one year or end in
death.
http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/index.htm
National Health Interview Survey
The National Health Interview Survey is conducted for the National
Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), a division of the Centers for
Disease Control (CDC) on a continuous basis by the workers of the US
Census Bureau. The survey measures many health related statistics
for non-institutionalized persons such as incidence and prevalence of
disease and disability.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/about_nhis.htm
Survey of Income and Program Participation
The Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) is sponsored
by the US Census Bureau, and is run on a continual basis with sample
panels being interviewed for between 2-1/2 and 4 years. SIPP is
designed to measure labor and income data, and to determine the
extent of participation in government programs such as food stamps,
subsidized housing, energy subsidies, etc. In doing so, SIPP also
provides valuable earnings and program participation for those with
disabilities.
http://www.census.gov/sipp/overview.html
Department of Health and Human Services
The US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is the primary
federal health agency, providing health care regulations, policy, and
services. DHHS operates the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services (CMS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes
for Health (NIH) among others.
http://www.hhs.gov/
DHHS-Developmental Services (Sierra, Rural, and
Desert Regional Centers)
The three Regional Centers provide support for individuals with
intellectual developmental disabilities and their families. Insofar as
employment supports, the Regional Centers provide Jobs and Day
Training (JDT) Services. The program provides a continuum of services
and supports to individuals interested in working competitively
with support, integrating into competitive employment, attending a
facility-based program, or experiencing enrichment opportunities.
For the individuals they serve, they are required to report the numbers
of individuals in facility-based day habilitation (non-paid), facility-
based work (paid), integrated employment (competitive), supported
employment (Enclaves), community-based non-work, and individuals
on the JDT waitlist.
http://mhds.nv.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&i
d=36&Itemid=60
d=31&Itemid=95
d=56&Itemid=64
Institute for Community Inclusion- The Institute for Community
Inclusion (ICI) is a local and national disability advocate based at the
University of Massachusetts Boston. ICI provides many programs for
people with disabilities including the National Center on Workforce
and Disability, the National Service Inclusion Project, and various other
programs for disability inclusion and independence. In addition, ICI
is the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
(UCEDD) in Massachusetts. Finally, ICI publishes annually: State Data:
The National Report on Employment Services and Outcomes, a national
guidebook for disability employment, and conducts the IDD Agency
Data Sources

12
National Survey of Day and Employment Services. This resource can
be downloaded at: http://www.statedata.info/
The Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities (NCED) is the University
Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) for the
state of Nevada, located at the University of Nevada Reno. NCED
provides disability services and advocacy statewide in areas such as
employment, assistive technology, youth transition, and education
among others. With financial support from the Nevada Governors
Council on Developmental Disabilities (NGCDD), the NCED organized
the 2010 Employment Policy Summit, which brought together over
250 people to design a work plan that would increase employment
choices for Nevadans with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Outcomes from the 2010 Employment Policy Summit can be
downloaded at: http://nced.info/eps2010/reports/
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a division of
the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), administers
Medicare and Medicaid, with the help of individual states, and other
regulatory departments. They are responsible for overseeing each
program, and for producing regulations and recommendations for
their implementation.
https://questions.cms.hhs.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1
Section 1915(c)
Section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act authorizes Home and
Community-Based Service (HCBS) waivers, which allow states the
freedom to operate their Medicaid program with more flexibility.
Specifically, it allows the state to bypass Medicaid requirements for
implementation of programs statewide, similarity of programs for all
recipients, and income rules for non-institutionalized recipients. By
allowing exceptions to these requirements, a state’s Medicaid office
can target long-term programs, such as vocational rehabilitation
to specific groups of persons, including those with disabilities, and
specific demographic groups with particularly low income.
https://www.cms.gov/MedicaidStWaivProgDemoPGI/05_
HCBSWaivers-Section1915(c).asp
Data Sources

13
OverviewofNevada’s
StateDemographics
Humboldt
Pershing
Washoe
Storey
Carson City
DouglaslasD
Lyon
Mineral
Esmeralda
Nye
Clark
Lincoln
White Pine
EurekaLander
Churchill
Elko
D
Clark
With a population of more than 1.9 million, Clark County is the most
populous county in Nevada with over 72% of it citizens. It borders
the California and Arizona, and includes the cities of Boulder City,
Henderson, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Mesquite. Much of
the county was originally part of Pah-Ute County, Arizona Territory
before Nevada became a state. The county was named for William
Andrews Clark, a Montana copper magnate and U.S. Senator. Clark
was largely responsible for the construction of the Los Angeles and
Salt Lake Railroad through the area, a factor heavily contributing
to the region’s early development. Clark County is today known
as a major tourist destination, with over 162,000 hotel and motel
rooms. The Las Vegas Strip, home to most of the hotel-casinos
known to many around the world, is located not within the City of
Las Vegas, but in unincorporated Paradise. With jurisdiction over
the world-famous Las Vegas Strip and covering an area the size of
New Jersey, Clark is the nation’s 14th-largest county and provides
extensive regional services to almost 2 million citizens and 42
million visitors a year. Included are the nation’s 8th-busiest airport,
air quality compliance, social services and the state’s largest public
hospital, University Medical Center.
Southern Nevada

14
Overview of Nevada’s
State Demographics
Characterizing human populations
D
emographic (noun) - a statistic characterizing human
populations (or segments of human populations broken down
by age or sex or income etc.) http://www.thefreedictionary.
com/demographic Retrieved 12-15-11
Sixteen counties and one independent city are within Nevada’s borders.
Overview of Nevada’s State Demographics
Clark County
Washoe County
Carson City
Douglas County
Elko County
Lyon County
Nye County
Total for Ten Other
Rural Counties
Nevada Population 2010

15Overview of Nevada’s State DemographicsOverview of Nevada’s State Demographics
Certified Population Estimates for 2004 to 2010
of Nevada’s Counties, Cities and Towns
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
State of Nevada 2,410,768 2,518,869 2,623,050 2,718,337 2,738,733 2,711,205 2,724,636
Carson City 56,146 57,104 57,701 57,723 57,600 56,506 55,850
Churchill County 26,106 26,585 27,371 27,190 26,981 26,859 26,360
Clark County 1,715,337 1,796,380 1,874,837 1,954,319 1,967,716 1,952,040 1,968,831
Douglas County 47,803 50,108 51,770 52,386 52,131 51,390 49,242
Elko County 46,499 47,586 48,339 50,434 50,561 51,325 52,097
Esmeralda County 1,176 1,276 1,262 1,236 1,240 1,187 1,145
Eureka Count 1,484 1,485 1,460 1,458 1,553 1,562 1,609
Humboldt County 16,692 17,293 17,751 18,052 18,014 17,690 18,364
Lander County 5,357 5,509 5,655 5,747 5,891 6,003 5,992
Lincoln County 3,822 3,886 3,987 4,184 4,352 4,317 4,631
Lyon County 44,646 48,860 54,031 55,903 55,820 53,825 52,334
Mineral County 4,673 4,629 4,399 4,377 4,401 4,474 4,471
Nye County 38,181 41,302 44,795 46,308 47,370 46,360 45,459
Pershing County 6,631 6,736 6,955 7,075 7,192 7,149 7,133
Storey County 3,797 4,012 4,110 4,293 4,384 4,317 4,234
Washoe County 383,453 396,844 409,085 418,061 423,833 416,632 417,379
White Pine County 8,966 9,275 9,542 9,590 9,694 9,570 9,503
Certified Population Estimates for 2001 to 2010 of Nevada’s Counties, Cities and Towns
NV Dept. of Taxation NV State Demographer, NSBDC-UNR: Jeff Hardcastle; Retrived 11-3-11
Due to Nevada’s vast area, the state is divided into three distinct
geographical areas, northwest Nevada, northeast Nevada, and southern
Nevada. Seventy-two percent of Nevada’s total population resides in
Clark County (southern Nevada), where over 1.9 million persons reside.
Northern Nevada’s largest population concentration is Washoe County
with approximately 15% percent of Nevada’s total population. Reno’s
population totals 217,282 for the majority of Washoe County’s size
(July 2010 data).
As reflected in the population estimates
for 2001-2010, the population in
Nevada increased until 2008 and
subsequently started to decline. There
are a few exceptions to this trend, where
the population continues to increase (i.e.,
Elko, Eureaka, and Humboldt Counties).
The two largest counties in Nevada, Clark
and Washoe saw a dip in population in
2009, but then an increase in 2010.

16
Population by Age and County 2010 State of Nevada Demographic Profile Data
Under 5
Years of
Age
5 to 9
Years of
Age
10 to 14
Years of
Age
15 to 19
Years of
Age
20 to 24
Years of
Age
25 to 29
Years of
Age
30 to 34
Years of
Age
35 to 39
Years of
Age
40 to 44
Years of
Age
State of Nevada 187,478 183,077 183,173 182,600 177,509 196,644 190,642 191,652 191,391
Carson City 3,223 3,187 3,302 3,455 3,323 3,388 3,239 3,255 3,736
Churchill County 1,676 1,657 1,803 1,708 1,503 1,573 1,441 1,412 1,527
Clark County 138,982 135,411 133,660 131,440 128,245 148,694 145,831 146,476 142,010
Douglas County 2,305 2,596 2,738 2,841 1,989 2,144 2,098 2,268 2,825
Elko County 4,078 3,788 3,972 3,837 3,182 3,399 3,119 3,045 3,314
Esmeralda County 39 29 40 38 16 26 37 40 36
Eureka County 144 114 134 128 96 76 125 119 125
Humboldt County 1,274 1,227 1,278 1,153 996 1,119 971 1,058 1,063
Lander County 452 417 431 453 336 352 321 319 409
Lincoln County 318 370 396 497 269 283 279 267 302
Lyon County 3,404 3,511 3,652 3,532 2,361 2,719 3,009 3,162 3,315
Mineral County 222 221 242 292 259 219 191 201 246
Nye County 2,209 2,390 2,733 2,690 1,809 1,770 1,803 2,030 2,386
Pershing County 346 360 388 381 368 459 460 493 596
Storey County 174 178 193 230 136 140 159 186 214
Washoe County 27,998 27,063 27,635 29,346 32,023 29,618 26,851 26,720 28,633
White Pine County 634 558 576 579 598 665 708 601 654
U.S. Census Bureau
DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data
This chart reflects Nevada’s population in 2010 by county and age, with five-year increments. The trend shows an increase until the apex
at age 25-29 years (i.e., 196,644 persons), then a steady decrease across groups.

17
Population by Age and County 2010 State of Nevada Demographic Profile Data (continued)
40 to 44
Years of
Age
45 to 49
Years of
Age
50 to 54
Years of
Age
55 to 59
Years of
Age
60 to 64
Years of
Age
65 to 69
Years of
Age
70 to 74
Years of
Age
75 to 79
Years of
Age
80 to 84
Years of
Age
85 Years
of Age &
Over
Total
Population
State of Nevada 191,391 193,790 182,737 164,575 150,924 115,501 82,280 57,503 38,888 30,187 2,700,551
Carson City 3,736 4,232 4,196 3,905 3,700 2,774 2,050 1,680 1,341 1,288 55,274
Churchill County 1,527 1,814 1,752 1,609 1,621 1,303 944 657 494 383 24,877
Clark County 142,010 138,281 126,532 112,302 102,960 78,516 56,387 39,492 26,366 19,684 1,951,269
Douglas County 2,825 3,629 4,086 4,058 3,941 3,266 2,369 1,760 1,134 950 46,997
Elko County 3,314 3,691 3,662 3,172 2,416 1,698 1,030 630 445 340 48,818
Esmeralda County 36 57 65 56 102 66 64 35 24 13 783
Eureka County 125 186 182 168 133 99 55 50 38 15 1,987
Humboldt County 1,063 1,277 1,308 1,175 937 621 432 297 186 156 16,528
Lander County 409 423 441 404 336 269 180 116 66 50 5,775
Lincoln County 302 344 328 360 364 354 264 169 105 76 5,345
Lyon County 3,315 3,790 3,926 3,768 3,616 3,126 2,188 1,411 885 605 51,980
Mineral County 246 356 422 387 438 321 302 178 167 108 4,772
Nye County 2,386 3,214 3,447 3,446 3,718 3,720 2,936 1,892 1,076 677 43,946
Pershing County 596 596 610 469 352 381 229 114 74 77 6,753
Storey County 214 356 442 422 442 323 197 111 61 46 4,010
Washoe County 28,633 30,763 30,559 28,094 25,225 18,186 12,269 8,637 6,236 5,551 421,407
White Pine County 654 781 779 780 623 478 384 274 190 168 10,030
U.S. Census Bureau
DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data

18
2 Age; Population by Age and County 2010 State of Nevada Demographic Profile Data: T (Population by Age and County 2010 State of Nevada
Demographic Profile Data)
Population by Age 2010 State of Nevada
This histogram represents the previously presented data in the 2010 Nevada population. Each column represents five years.

19
WhiteNH*
Males
WhiteNH
Females
Black NH
Males
Black NH
Females
AEA NH
Males
AEA NH
Females
API NH
Males
API NH
Females
Hispanic
Males
Hispanic
Females
Total
Male
Total
Female
State of NV 815,071 805,147 96,838 95,694 17,507 18,395 83,819 96,746 367,020 328,049 1,380,255 1,344,031 2,724,286
Carson City 19,200 20,597 197 164 577 677 554 647 5,245 4,807 25,773 26,892 52,665
Churchill 10,235 10,329 264 224 611 739 419 533 1,437 1,302 12,967 13,127 26,094
Clark 539,169 532,959 88,787 90,124 8,194 8,554 69,390 79,956 291,035 260,664 996,574 972,257 1,968,831
Douglas 21,522 21,610 116 77 455 411 412 543 2,124 1,971 24,630 24,613 49,242
Elko 19,006 17,983 260 102 1,242 1,306 196 284 6,113 5,604 26,818 25,280 52,098
Esmeralda 491 428 3 2 27 35 5 3 91 58 618 527 1,145
Eureka 724 687 4 2 11 14 5 9 88 66 832 777 1,609
Humboldt 7,157 6,623 78 35 359 346 77 100 1,873 1,718 9,543 8,821 18,364
Lander 2,276 2,183 5 9 123 148 19 19 628 583 3,051 2,941 5,992
Lincoln 1,988 1,921 7 5 51 46 11 22 115 101 2,172 2,095 4,267
Lyon 21,471 21,804 242 202 612 694 202 363 3,711 3,033 26,238 26,097 52,334
Mineral 1,485 1,522 124 105 356 385 24 40 221 209 2,211 2,261 4,471
Nye 19,216 19,499 303 255 515 539 332 402 2,285 2,112 22,651 22,808 45,459
Pershing 2,944 1,989 410 5 143 131 42 16 857 596 4,396 2,737 7,133
Storey 2,019 1,847 12 2 43 17 26 18 128 121 2,229 2,005 4,234
Washoe 140,253 139,431 4,932 4,341 3,992 4,081 11,965 13,708 49,995 44,681 211,137 206,241 417,379
White Pine 4,018 3,440 398 23 172 265 64 72 653 397 5,305 4,198 9,503
Race &
Ethnicity
Population
Totals**
1,618,029 191,821 35,872 180,476 694,623
*Non-Hispanic
**[Both Sexes; Excluding NV Totals (Line 1 of Table)]
Age, Race, Ethnicity by County 2010 Interim.xls
NV Dept. of Taxation NV State Demographer, NSBDC-UNR: Jeff Hardcastle; Received 11-4-11
Nevada’s County Populations by Race and
Ethnicity 2010 Divided by Sex

20 Overview of Nevada’s State Demographics
60%
7%
1%
7%
25%
Nevada 2010 Population by Race and Ethnicity
te Non-Hisp
ck Non-Hisp
Non-Hisp
Non-Hisp
anic
White Non-Hisp
Black Non - Hisp
AEA Non-Hisp
API Non-Hisp
Hispanic
Less than a High School Graduate
High School Graduate or
Equivalent
Bachelor’s Degree
Advanced Degree
Nevada 2010 Population by Race
and Ethnicity
Educational Attainment for Nevadans 2009
Average Wage per Job
2006 2007 2008 2009
State of Nevada $41,146 $43,760 $44,100 $43,841
Eureka County $70,252 $72,294 $75,455 $79,255
Lander County $50,312 $47,903 $52,120 $56,518
Humboldt County $39,425 $40,596 $42,583 $44,965
Lyon County $33,609 $35,158 $35,127 $36,006
Lincoln County $33,761 $34,392 $35,135 $35,587
Esmeralda County $32,762 $33,375 $34,815 $33,769
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Legend / Footnotes:
1/ The employment estimates used to compute the average wage
are a job, not person, count. People holding more than one job are
counted in the employment estimates for each job they hold. All state
and local area dollar estimates are in current dollars (not adjusted for
inflation). Last updated: April 21, 2011
From: CA34 Wage and salary summary
Retrieved 11-4-11
Average Wage per Job

21Overview of Nevada’s State Demographics
Poverty Level by Percent: All Ages
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
United States 13.3 13.0 13.2 14.3 15.3
State of Nevada 10.5 10.6 11.2 12.4 14.8
Carson City 11.1 12.9 11.3 14.1 15.1
Churchill County 9.6 10.6 10.6 10.0 11.6
Clark County 10.5 10.7 11.1 12.4 15.0
Douglas County 7.0 7.7 8.0 9.4 9.3
Elko County 9.1 8.7 7.5 8.2 8.3
Esmeralda County 14.7 15.0 14.3 14.2 14.4
Eureka County 11.4 9.1 10.0 10.4 10.1
Humboldt County 9.9 11.4 10.2 11.5 9.9
Lander County 10.5 10.5 9.9 10.0 10.0
Lincoln County 13.4 12.8 13.9 13.6 13.4
Lyon County 8.9 10.0 9.6 10.2 11.4
Mineral County 17.1 16.9 15.9 18.3 15.4
Nye County 12.0 12.5 15.8 14.1 18.7
Pershing County 15.1 15.6 18.1 18.4 18.5
Storey County 5.6 5.2 5.2 9.1 8.7
Washoe County 11.0 10.2 12.2 13.2 15.3
White Pine County 12.8 11.4 13.5 13.3 12.6
Table 1: 2006 Poverty and Median Income Estimates - Counties, Source: U.S. Census
Bureau, Small Area Estimates Branch, Release date: 12.2008
http://www.census.gov/did/www/saipe/data/statecounty/data/2006.html
Retrieved 11-15-11
POVERTY
Poverty and disability seem to be inextricably linked, reflected
in persons with disabilities being poorer (as a group) than the
general population, and that people living in poverty are more
likely than others to be disabled. This is particularly true for
individuals with ID/DD (i.e., Categorized in the ACS under
Cognitive), with over 33% of those living under the poverty line
in the U.S.
The poverty thresholds are the original version of the federal
poverty measure and updated annually by the Census Bureau.
The poverty guidelines are the other poverty measure and
issued each year by DHHS. The thresholds are used for
administrative purposes (i.e., determining financial ability for
certain federal programs). This is determined by finding the
total cost of all the essential resources that an average human
adult consumes in one year, with the largest of these typically
the lodging. The poverty threshold in 2009 for one person
was an income of $10,956 and for two persons, $13,991. As
the number of persons increase in the household, so does
the threshold; for example, a family unit of six persons, the
threshold is $29,405. One can also analyze data on those that
are living close to the poverty threshold, and for our purposes
review the percent of individuals (with and without disabilities)
in that challenging economic circumstance. For example, if
a person earned just under $22,000 in 2009, they would be
near double the threshold, because 200% of the threshold for
one person is $21,912 ($10,956 x 2) and similarly, 300% is
$32,868 ($10,956 x 3) (US Census Bureau, Poverty Thresholds,
2009).
The issue of poverty within those that have disabilities is not
isolated to Nevada, nor just the United States, but is a challenge
that is being addressed internationally by the United Nations
(Baker, 2005; Brathwaite & Mont, 2008).

Labor Statistics
Policy shifts over two decades have established an increasing emphasis
on integrated employment, and the federal government has set the
tone for broad based systems change (Rogan, Novak, Mank, & Martin,
2002). In fact, in December 2011 the U.S. Department of Labor
(DOL) proposed a new rule that would require federal contractors
and subcontractors to set a hiring goal of having 7 percent of their
workforces be people with disabilities, among other requirements (U.S.
Department of Labor, 2011). According to Secretary of Labor Hilda
L. Solis, “This proposed rule represents one of the most significant
advances in protecting the civil rights of workers with disabilities
since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act” (Solis, 2011).
This proposal was set forth because the “good faith” for contractors
to recruit and hire individuals has not worked.
The data are clear when one looks at the employment
rate of individuals with disabilities versus those without, despite the
agency that reports the numbers. In the News Release cited above,
the DOL reported data published in November 2011 by Bureau of
Labor Statistics show stark disparities facing working-age individuals
with disabilities, with 79.2 percent outside the labor force altogether,
compared to 30.5 percent of those without disabilities. In other words,
this is an employment rate of 20.8% for persons with disabilities and
69.5% for those without. Labor force statistics for December 2010
indicate that 28 percent of working-age adults with disabilities are
employed, compared with 70 percent of people without disabilities
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2011). This difference has been
stable and is best reflected in the National Unemployment Rate 06/08
- 10/11 line graph.
The national Unemployment data (non-disabled vs. disabled)
above shows that there is a gap between the two groups. When this
discrepancy is reviewed month-by-month, measured in percentile
points, the data show there is an increasing trend, in other words, the
gap between the two groups is getting larger (see below)
National Unemployment Rate 06/08 - 10/11
National Unemployment Rate Difference:
Disabled vs Non-Disabled

The data are also clear, and just as alarming when one looks at the
national unemployment rate of individuals with disabilities versus
those without. That is, those that are receiving unemployment
benefits. According to The DOL, the unemployment rate for people
with disabilities is 13%, while for those without disabilities it is 8%
(DOL, November 2011).
When the analysis moves from national employment trends to
employment trends in Nevada, the reader will see similar findings,
that is, the significant discrepancy between employment rate
between those with and without disabilities. The reader will also see
an unemployment rate higher for those with disabilities than those
without. A final trend in the data, reflective of our struggling economy
in Nevada, shows that there are decreases in employment rate from
2006-2010 and increases in the unemployment rate over the same
years (see below).
When one looks closer at Nevada’s data by disability category, one will
see significant differences by “Type of Disability”. For example, the
three largest categories are “Ambulatory”, “Independent Living”, and
“Cognitive,” respectively. However, according to these data, there is
a higher percent of those with Cognitive disabilities employed than
Independent Living. An interesting finding under “Type of Disability”
is with Nevadans that are deaf or hard of hearing. According to these
data, there are approximately 36,685 Nevadans under this category,
and of those, 53.8% are employed. This percentage is the highest of all
six categories and the only category where there are more individuals
employed than “not in the labor force”.
Employment Status by Type of Disability 2010
Category Population within Nevada
Not in Labor Force
Unemployed
Employed
Nevada Employment & Unemployment by
Disability Status 2006-2010
Employment Rate Population 16 Years and Over
Employment Rate with any Disability
Unemployment Rate Population 16 Years and Over
Unemployment Rate with any Disability
Rate

The smallest category of Nevadans with disabilities are those that are
blind and/or visually impaired, with approximately 27,870 persons.
Of those in this category that receive SSI, there are a small fraction
that are working. As with other groups, those numbers have been
decreasing, reflected in the graph below.
There are also gender differences in the amount Nevadans earn when
data are reviewed closely. The median income is highest-to lowest for
males (no disability), males (with a disability), females (no disability),
and females (with disability), respectively. These data also show that
the median income has decreased from 2008-2010 in three of the
four groups with the only exception being females, with a disability.
For Nevadans with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ID/
DD) that are interested in joining the workforce, they have seen the
challenges increase with the fiscal challenges. With Nevada’s economic
crisis, funding for Nevada Jobs and Day Training (JDT) has been
reduced, and waitlists to receive those services expanding. Those
that receive services from the DHHS- Developmental Services at Sierra
Regional Center (SRC), Rural Regional Center (RRC) or Desert Regional
Center (DRC) must get their names submitted and wait patiently. There
are approximately 2,200 individuals across the state that are involved
in the JDT Program and an additional 300+ individuals on the waiting
list (see Figure below). One is able to see an increasing trend in the
number of individuals waiting with some months showing significant
decreases (i.e., July 08, July 09, March 11, July 11). According to
DHH-Developmental Services Report, the average wait time for these
individuals is 224-238 days.
Nevada Blind and Disabled SSI Recipients Who
Work 2007-2010
Blind and Disabled SSI Recipients Who Work
PercentageofRecipients
Table 41 Blind and Disabled Recipients who work
*Table 40 for 2007
http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/ssi_asr/ Retrieved 2-9-12
201020092008
Nevada Median Earnings by Sex &
Disability Status

For those that do receive JDT funding, it is helpful to see where they
are working, or whether they are financially compensated, or not.
According to the DHH-Developmental Services Report, the majority
of the individuals receiving funding for JDT are involved in Facility-
Based work (compensated), with Facility-Based Day Habilitation (non-
compensated), Integrated Employment (competitive), and Community-
based Non-work (non-compensated), respectively.
Underutilized Programs in Nevada
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a means-tested income-support
program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Eligibility is contingent upon proving that one has a limited ability
to work due to disability. However, the program offers several work
incentives aimed at encouraging SSI recipients to enter the workforce
while maintaining their benefits. Despite the promotion of employment
through Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) and other
programs, a very small percentage of SSI recipients actually work (Domin
& Smith, 2011). This may be due to low awareness of these incentive
programs among recipients (Livermore et al., 2010). In 2010, only 4.6%
of SSI recipients worked nationally and in Nevada, 5.15%.
The total number of SSI recipients with disabilities in Nevada (2009)
was 29,400 and of those that are working was 1,744. Within SSI there
are specified work incentive programs, that help individuals get back
to work or start working Three of these are: Plans for Achieving Self-
Support (PASS), Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) and Blind
Work Expenses (BWE). When data is inspected, it turns out only five (5)
individuals in the entire state used the PASS benefits, nine (9) Nevadans
used IRWE benefits, and nine (9) used the BWE benefits (Social Security
Administration, SSI Disabled Recipients Who Work, 2009).
Jobs and Day Training by Work Type
NumberofPeople
Facility Based Day Habilitation Facility Based Work Integrated Employment Supported Employment Community-Based Non-Work
Nevada Jobs and Day Training Waiting List
IndividualsonList
Month

Rehabilitation Services Administration
(RSA-911)
The RSA-911 report is submitted annually for the preceding fiscal
year by each state’s vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency. The RSA 911
Report aggregates many variables of outcomes related information,
including demographics, disability, interventions, and reason for
closure, employment status, sources of financial support, and more.
The values of certain fields (e.g. income, hours worked per week,
etc.) are reported both status at application and status at closure.
Data presented here include RSA data on Disability Category, Wages
Earned, Special Populations (i.e., Transition), Closures with vs. without
Employment Outcome, and Cost per Outcome.
It is helpful to review the population that the Bureau of Vocational
Rehabilitation (BVR) serves. In Figure above, the data from 2006-2010
show the four primary Disability Categories that they serve and the
corresponding percent of closures after their services. The highest
percent closed are individuals with Communicative Impairments,
while the lowest is Mental and Emotional (Psychosocial) Disabilities.
Data on the average wage that Nevadans with disabilities earn was
2009 Recipients Who Work Benefitting from
Specified Work Incentives
BWE 0.022%
PASS 0.012%
IRWE 0.022%
All Other Recipients
99.944%
Nevada SSI Recipients Who Work Benefitting
from Specified Work Incentives 2010
NumberofIndividuals
BWE
IRWE
PASS
Table 53 Recipients who work benefitting from specified work incentives,
http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/ssi_asr/
Retrieved 2-9-12
BVR Nevada Employment Rates by
Disability Category
PercentClosedafterNRDServices
Communicative
Impairments
Cognitive Impairments
Physical Disorders
Visual Impairments

less than the national wage until years 2008. As reflected in the figure
below, in 2008 the national wage ($11.03/hour) surpassed that of
Nevada ($10.94/hour). Although Nevada surpassed the national
average in 2009, the most recent data indicate this is reversed in 2010.
Another piece of data that is imperative to track is the number of
“Successful” and “Unsuccessful” closures by BVR. A “successful”
closure is reflective of a participant that attains his/her goals written in
the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). The federal government
requires the placement is in a community-based (“competitive”) setting
where the individual is earning at least minimum wage. Therefore,
facility-based settings do not count as a successful closure. These
data, from 2005-2010 indicate a small increase in successful closures
until 2007 (i.e., 33.8%), followed by a small decline until 2010 (i.e.,
24%). The percent closed without an employment outcome remained
stable between 19%-20% for the same years.
The final graph reflects the average cost per employment outcome
(i.e., Successful vs. Unsuccessful Outcomes), for the years 2008-
2010. The data indicate a small increase in average cost, followed
by a reduction for both successful and unsuccessful outcomes. Most
noteworthy is the fact that successful outcomes are more expensive,
yet this gap is narrowing (i.e., about $1,300 difference in 2008 to
about $600 difference in 2010).
Competitive Employment
Nevada average
hourly earnings
National average
hourly earning for
general/ com-
bined agencies
Nevada Vocational Rehabilitation Closures
Percent Served Closed with
Employment Outcome
Percent Served Closed without
Employment Outcome
Percent
Year
Cost per Nevada Vocational
Rehabilitation Closure
Average Cost per Employment
Outcome
Average Cost per Unsuccessful
Employment Outcome

Discussion
Major Implications from Data
1. Employment Participation
Themoststrikingfindingsfromalldisabilityemploymentdataare
the large and increasing gaps in employment and unemployment
rates, length of employment, and hours worked. American
Community Survey Data indicates that the unemployment rate
for people with disabilities in Nevada rose to a five year high of
19.6% in 2010, compared to a high of 14.1% for those without
disabilities (ACS Table S2301). In addition, the employment rate
for people with disabilities fell to a five year low of 38% in 2010
compared to 56.5% for people without disabilities in 2010 (ACS
Table S2301). Also, the average person with disabilities will
work fewer hours a week, and fewer weeks a year than a person
without disabilities. For example, of all people who worked in
the past twelve months, people with disabilities were 7.7% more
likely than those without disabilities to have worked less than
27 weeks in the year (derived from ACS Table B23023).
These findings are not new, nor are they entirely
unique nationwide. People with disabilities have always
had a more difficult time finding work at all, and especially
meaningful, community work. Large percentages of those with
Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities end up in facility-
based work, earning below minimum wage, while others
never find work at all. Policy makers need to change disability
employment strategies in Nevada, as our citizens with disabilities
are a vastly underutilized source of quality labor, despite the
area of employment. For example, in a small study performed
by Robert Cimera, it was found that disabled employees of a
fast food restaurant were more cost effective and productive to
their employer than comparable employees without disabilities
(Cimera, 2009). Workers with disabilities can be a vital part of
our state economy, but more must be done to get our citizens
into community-based work, earning commensurate wages.
2. Program Participation remains low
Participation in programs to aid in finding, maintaining, and
advancing employment opportunities is very low in Nevada.
For example, since 2007, Nevada has dropped from 17th to
35th in state rankings for the percent of all blind and disabled
SSI recipients participating in Section 1619 (ASR Tables 47 and
48). In addition, in times of increased economic hardship, the
percent of SSI recipients in Nevada increased only 0.1% since
2007 (ASR Tables 12 and 13). It is clear from ASR data that
employment incentives are not working. More specifically, the
Social Security Work Incentives are not being utilized. In 2009,
more than 40,000 citizens were blind and disabled recipients
and only five persons benefited from PASS plans and nine from
IWREs. This is the lowest in the nation. From 2007 to 2010, the
percent of blind and disabled SSI recipients in Nevada who work
decreased from 7.1% to 5.1% (ASR Tables 40 and 41). This data
represents a growing problem, in that Nevadans with disabilities
are using less of the available federal resources at a time when
they are needed most.
Several issues could be causing such low program
participation. First is a lack of awareness of such programs.
Inherent in receiving any SSA work incentives is the requirement
that a person first receive SSI. For this, the person has to not
only know what SSI is, but has to know how to apply (many
people with disabilities could need significant help), and has to
be eligible. A person with disabilities who has never even heard
of SSI is therefore already at a disadvantage for receiving any
work incentives. In addition, once approved for SSI, information
on work incentives programs generally has to be found by the
applicant, and the applicant must know how to obtain the
incentives. This can also be very difficult for a person with
disabilities.

3. Earnings are much lower
Wages earned by people with disabilities continue to be
considerablylowerthanwagesmadebypeoplewithoutdisabilities.
On average, Nevadans with a disability made $6,476 less a year
than Nevadans without a disability in 2010 (ACS Table B18140).
In addition, people with disabilities are more likely to live below
the poverty level, and households with one or more person with a
disability are more likely to receive governmental food assistance
(ACS Tables C18131 and B22010, respectively). In addition,
people with certain disabilities tend to make less than people
with other disabilities. For example, in 2010, a person with a
cognitive disability made on average $8.92 an hour compared to
an average of $13.64 an hour for a person with a communicative
disability (RSA Annual Review Report). This translates to nearly
$10,000 less a year for a 40 hour per week employee.
The gap in wages between people with a disability and those
without arises from a two-fold problem. First, people with
disabilities, especially those with intellectual disabilities, are
more likely to be employed in lower paying career fields such
as service industries and retail. Secondly, many employees
with disabilities work in positions paying below minimum wage.
Companies employing people with disabilities can seek to gain
minimum wage law exemption status from the U.S. Department
of Labor (http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs39.
pdf). This exemption allows the qualifying company to base the
hourly wage of an employee with disabilities on the proportion of
work done compared to a non-impaired employee. Clearly, this
is a large reason why average wages for people with disabilities
are so much lower. In fact, in January 2012, a class action law
suit was filed in U.S. District Court by thousands of Oregonians
that claims their civil rights were violated by the failure to provide
supported employment services (Disability Rights Oregon, 2012;
OregonLive.com, 2012). The class action law suit was filed against
the Governor and top managers at the Department of Human
Services.”
4. RSA
Successful vocational rehabilitation closures into employment
settings in Nevada have been low, a byproduct of a stagnant
economy, based on tourism. From a five year high of 33.8% in
2007, the rate of successful employment closures has decreased
to 24.0% in 2010 (Nevada State Rehabilitation Council Annual
Report, 2011). In general, the average successful employment
closure between 2005 and 2010 was 29.2% of all vocational
rehabilitation cases (Nevada State Rehabilitation Council Annual
Report, 2011). The rate of closures without employment
outcomes has remained largely the same over the past five years.
From 2005 to 2010, the average rate of unsuccessful closures
was 19.6%, with a high of 20.5% in 2005, and a low of 18.9%
in 2009 (Nevada State Rehabilitation Council Annual Report,
2011). Despite considerable and ongoing efforts by the Bureau
of Vocational Rehabilitation to secure competitive employment,
Nevada continues to face the challenges of a struggling economy
and the highest unemployment in the nation. Interestingly, the
unemployment rate for Elko, Nevada is 6.4% where the mining
industry has help to keep this number below the national average.
An additional measure that is tracked by RSA is the length
of time it takes to secure employment. From 2005 to 2010, the
average wait time for a successful vocational rehabilitation closure
in Nevada was 13.9 months (Nevada State Rehabilitation Council
Annual Report, 2011). Though the time for a successful closure
has decreased from 16.6 months in 2005 to 13.7 months in
2010, it is clear that waiting for over a year to obtain employment
is a challenge. For those that are receiving services through
Developmental Services, they too have a long wait time. The Jobs
and Day Training Wait List has seen a significant increase in the
past 4 years from a low of 50 people waiting in August 2008,
to a high of 474 people in November and December 2010, a
948% increase (Nevada Jobs and Day Training Data). Finally, it
is important to track the costs of the individuals that generate
unsuccessful closures, in an attempt to reduce this number.

From 2008 to 2010, the average cost per successful employment
outcome was $3,641.30, compared to an average cost per
unsuccessful employment outcome of $2,703.12. It is important
to note that BVR is federally mandated to serve anyone that
applies for services, resulting in some referrals that do not lead
to a successful outcome. With a more comprehensive assessment
conducted at the initial stages of referral, this may have an affect
on the successful closures, average duration to closure, and/or
average cost of closures.
5. Problematic Data Reporting
Thefinalimplicationseeninourdatacollectionistheneedforbetter
methods of data reporting, including more uniform definitions
and better integration of data across levels of reporting. As is
evident from this guide, there are an immense number of sources
of data, and in general each has somewhat different definitions
for their categories of data collected. The first step in simplifying
disability employment data collection is the creation of uniform,
and universal definitions that are used by every agency. This
would allow collection of data to be more easily integrated and
interpreted, as current variations in definitions make comparison
of data difficult. A more extreme possibility is to create one
statewide or national database for the collection of all disability
employment data. Butterworth and colleagues (2012) at the
Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) have developed a concise
2 x 2 grid that simplifies a complicated data reporting system.
In fact, state Developmental Services agencies are required to
submit their state data using these definitions. A large-scale
database could encompass all disability data that is collected,
and provide one stop access for those in need of information. In
general, we strongly believe that effective change for disability
employment can only be made with accurate data and reliable
information upon which to make change. By creating uniformity
across data sources, both in definitions and in access to this data,
policy can be more effectively shifted to provide better access
and services for employment to our citizens with disabilities.

31
BestPractices
Humboldt
Pershing
Washoe
Storey
Carson City
DouglasslasD
Lyon
Mineral
Esmeralda
Nye
Clark
Lincoln
White Pine
EurekaLander
Churchill
Elko
D
Storey
Carson City
Douglas
Washoe
Combined counties in Northwest Nevada, which border California
and Oregon, are home for approximately 527,000 Nevadans. The
area offers the essence of a close-knit community while offering the
amenities available in a big city. The area enjoys four complete seasons,
which enhance the multitude of activities in the area. Citizens enjoy
cultural events, excellent public services, and boundless recreational
opportunities including nearby skiing, fishing, hiking and boating just
to name a few. The Washoe County area is also the land of special
events with dozens of annual celebrations such as the Reno Rodeo, the
Great Reno Balloon Races, the Reno Air Races, and Hot August Nights.
In addition to Reno and Sparks, Washoe County is also home to Crystal
Bay, Empire, Gerlach, Incline Village, Nixon, Sun Valley, Verdi, Vya, and
Wadsworth. Carson City is the state capital of Nevada, which has time and
again been recognized as the #1 business-friendly state in the country.
This ranking is based on taxes, electricity costs, workers’ compensation
costs, total crime rate, right to work, number of bureaucrats, and state
minimum wage. Carson City is a favorite relocation spot for companies
interested in low taxes, affordable housing and real estate costs and
an abundant labor force. Douglas County lies in the green valley at
the bottom of the eastern slope of the Sierras. Combining small town
charm with productive farmland, low crime rate, world class skiing and
continued growth, Douglas County offers an extraordinary quality of
life. Additionally, the county has one of the best school districts in the
state, with scores well above the national standard.
Northwest Nevada

32
Best Practices
Best Practices
The Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at the University of
Massachusetts in Boston is home to the most knowledgeable
researchers in integrated employment, in the nation. Butterworth and
colleagues (2012) have been systematically examining state agency
policies and practices, providing technical assistance to a growing
number of states through the State Employment Leadership Network
(SELN), and compiling data for improving employment outcomes for
persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Each year,
state developmental service agencies are required to provide the
ICI with outcome and service data, which is compiled in a resource
titled State Data: The National Report on Employment Services and
Outcomes, or better known in the field as The Blue Book. This resource
(accessible in pdf format from: www.statedata.info) provides the
reader with detailed data, across years from the following agencies:
• National Survey of State Intellectual and Developmental Disability
Agencies’ Day and Employment Services
• Rehabilitation Services Administration 911 (RSA-911) Database
• American Community Survey (U. S. Census Bureau)
• Social Security Administration (SSA)
• State Demographics (U. S. Census Bureau)
According to Butterworth (2012) and others, the most critical
component found in states that have been identified as the high
performing states in integrated employment is “clarity in which the
state system identified, transmitted, and maintained commitment to
the goals of community inclusion and integrated employment” (p. 41).
A High Performing States model identifies seven critical elements, with
each playing a critical role to help prioritize employment. The seven
elements are: leadership, strategic goals and operating policy, training
and technical assistance, interagency collaboration and partnership,
services and service innovation, and performance/data management.
This information was collected through state Developmental Services
agency administrators and program specialists in 19 high performing
states, from 2007-2011.
There are six themes that were common across 30 innovative state
agency practices. These were:
1. Impetus and catalyst for innovation involved identifying the
need, including barriers, use of data, and policychanges.
2. Forming a coalition that creates a united voice for change. Strong
coalitions have multi-level communication and multi-stakeholder
involvement and often committees that focus on implementation.
3. Developing a mission, plan, and Employment First policies
through clear articulation and the establishment of goals that are
communicated to all stakeholders.
4. Aligning infrastructure with vision and policies, using funding
and rate structure changes.
5. Building stakeholder capacity through a commitment to training
and technical assistance, communicated by the use of data and
information sharing.
6. Measuring progress and monitoring implementation to ensure
that existing goals are met, standards are upheld, and forward
movement towards integrated employment continues.

33
NevadaEmployment
ResourcesforPeople
withDisabilities
Humboldt
Pershing
Washoe
Storey
Carson City
DouglaslasD
Lyon
Mineral
Esmeralda
Nye
Clark
Lincoln
White Pine
EurekaLander
Churchill
Elko
D
Elko
With a population of more than 52,000, Elko County, located
in the northeastern corner of Nevada, is a growing area with
a high quality of life. It contains the cities of Carlin, Elko,
Wells, and West Wendover as well as the unincorporated
towns of Jackpot, Montello, and Mountain City. Although
Elko lies along the route of the historic California Trail, it
was first inhabited only in 1868, when it was at the east
end of the railroad tracks built by Central Pacific Railroad
(the portion of the First Transcontinental Railroad built
from California to Utah). When the railroad crews moved
on, Elko remained, serving as a ranch and mining freight
and supply center. Elko is said to have been named by
Charles Crocker, a superintendent of the Central Pacific
Railroad. He was especially fond of animal names and
added the letter “o” to Elk. There is no definitive evidence of
this naming history, but it has become the widely accepted
version. The area has a very strong sense of community
and the citizens enjoy a satisfying four-season climate,
moderate cost of living, 120 acres of public parks, quality
education and health care, and strong economic growth.
Elko is located on the Humboldt River in the west central
part of Elko County. Elko was listed in the 1993 book, The
100 Best Small Towns in America by Norman Crampton.
For the last 27 years, the annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering
draws in crowds from across the region.
Northeast Nevada

34
Nevada Employment Resources
for People with Disabilities
Providing levels of supported employment
T
he following list gives employment resources for people
with disabilities in Nevada. Included are the various
agencies that work with those with disabilities, and a brief
description of each. Many of these agencies are operated by the
State of Nevada, while some are private, non-profit organizations,
but all provide some form of employment training and support.
In addition, this list contains the various supported employment
community providers in the state, as obtained from the three
Nevada regional centers. These organizations provide varying
levels of supported employment either at their facilities or in the
community.
Blind Center of Nevada
http://blindcenter.org/
*1001 N. Bruce Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101
(702) 642-6000
The Blind Center of Nevada is an organization based in Las Vegas, NV,
which provides various services to people with visual impairments.
The Center provides jobs, employment training, training in Braille,
and various social programs designed to allow more independent and
fulfilling living.
Blindconnect
http://www.blindconnect.org/
*6375 West Charleston Blvd WCL #200, Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 631-9009
Blindconnect is a non-profit organization based in Las Vegas, NV,
which has the aim of promoting involvement of people with visual
impairments in the community. Blindconnect works to help those
with visual impairments connect with each other, find and utilize
community programs and training, and find employment.
Department of Education
http://www.doe.nv.gov/
The Nevada Department of Education (DOE) is the state governing
board of K-12 education. In this regard, the DOE offers special
education training and career training for those with disabilities.
Department of Employment, Training and
Rehabilitation
http://www.nvdetr.org/
*2800 E. St. Louis Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89104
*500 East Third Street, Carson City, NV 89713
(775) 684-3849
The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation
(DETR) provides the many employment services offered by the
State of Nevada. Through its various agencies, DETR provides
employment rehabilitation, training, job location services, upholds
employment laws, and performs employment related data collection
and analysis. DETR consists of several divisions: the Research and
Analysis Bureau, the Employment Security Division, the Nevada Equal
Rights Commission, the Rehabilitation Division, and Information
Development and Processing.
Employment Security Division
http://detr.state.nv.us/esd.htm
(775) 684-3909
(702) 486-6632
The Employment Security Division (ESD) provides training and other
employment programs for Nevada workers and businesses. It works
in conjunction with Nevada Job Connect to provide job placement for
workers and employers, as well as guidance, various labor related
information, and data.
Nevada Employment Resources for People with Disabilities

35
Career Enhancement Program
http://detr.state.nv.us/ESD%20Pages/cep%20for%20jobseekers.htm
(775) 684-3909
(702) 486-6632
The Career Enhancement Program (CEP) provides assistance to workers
to increase job skills and potential earnings. This employer-funded
program provides direct coaching and training for workers to find new
careers, and provides specialized training for people with disabilities,
veterans, and older workers.
Nevada Equal Rights Commission
http://detr.state.nv.us/nerc.htm
*555 E. Washington Avenue Suite 4000, Las Vegas, NV 89101
(702) 486-7161
*1675 East Prater Way Suite 103, Sparks, NV 89434
(775) 823-6690
The Nevada Equal Rights Commission (NERC) is the primary state
equal opportunity employment enforcement and policy agency. The
Commission investigates incidences of workplace discrimination,
including discrimination against those with disabilities.
Rehabilitation Division
http://detr.state.nv.us/Rehab%20pages/rehab.htm
(702) 486-5230
(775) 684-4040
The Rehabilitation Division is tasked with aspects of employment of
those with disabilities including training, placement, and assessment
of employment. The Rehabilitation Division includes Vocational
Rehabilitation, Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired, and
Disability Adjudication bureaus, as well as the Office of Disability
Employment Policy, and the Client Assistance Program.
Office of Disability Employment Policy
http://detr.state.nv.us/Rehab%20pages/ODEP.htm
The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is responsible for
creating disability employment policy for state agencies, as well as
contracting services and material needs for the various disability
employment training centers in Nevada.
Bureau of Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired
http://detr.state.nv.us/Rehab%20pages/blind%20services.htm
The Bureau of Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired (BSBVI)
provides testing and work accommodation to those with visual
impairments. The Bureau helps those with visual impairments to work
by testing abilities, finding appropriate work, and providing assistive
technologies and work accommodations.
Transition Services
http://detr.state.nv.us/Rehab%20pages/transitionservices.htm
Transition Services help people with disabilities coming out of high
school to find an appropriate job, or to continue school. Transition
Services assesses the individual while in high school to determine
ability and eligibility for vocational training and rehabilitation. Job
training and assistive technologies are also provided by Transition
Services.
Client Assistance Program
http://detr.state.nv.us/Rehab%20pages/cap.htm
The Client Assistance Program (CAP) informs individuals with
disabilities of the various state resources and programs available
to them. It also aids problem resolution for those with disabilities
experiencing problems with state agencies.
Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation
http://detr.state.nv.us/Rehab%20pages/voc%20rehab.htm
The Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation provides job services to those
with disabilities including assessment of abilities, job location and
placement, and training and services for retention.

36
Bureau of Disability Adjudication
http://detr.state.nv.us/Rehab%20pages/disability%20adjudication.htm
The Bureau of Disability Adjudication is responsible for evaluating
individuals with disabilities to determine their eligibility for federal
assistance such as Supplemental Security Income and Social Security
Disability Insurance.
Division of Health Care Financing and Policy
*1100 East William Street Suite 101, Carson City, NV 89701
(775) 684-3676
*1210 S. Valley View Suite 104, Las Vegas, NV 89102
(702) 668-4240
*1010 Ruby Vista Drive Suite 103, Elko, NV 89801
(775) 753-1191
*1030 Bible Way, Reno, NV 89502
(775) 687-1939
The Division of Health Care Financing and Policy (DHCFP), a division of
the Nevada Department for Health and Human Services (DHHS), works
in conjunction with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) to
provide health coverage for those with low income and disabilities.
Nevada Ticket to Work and Work Incentives
Improvement Act Medicaid Infrastructure Grant
http://dhcfp.state.nv.us/tickettowork.htm
As part of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act
(TWWIIA) of 1999, Nevada has initiated a Medicaid buy in program,
funded by the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG). This program
allows individuals with disabilities who are employed or seeking
employment to have access to Medicaid, even if their income is higher
than the general maximum allowable.
Division of Mental Health and Developmental
Services
http://mhds.nv.gov/
*4126 Technology Way, Second Floor, Carson City, NV 89706
(775) 684-5943
The Nevada Division of Mental Health and Developmental Services
(MHDS), a division under the Nevada Department of Health and
Human Services, is responsible for programs seeking to create a more
independent lifestyle for people with disabilities. Included within the
MHDS are the state’s three regional centers for those with disabilities,
Desert Regional Center (DRC), Rural Regional Center (RRC), and
Sierra Regional Center (SRC). State regional centers are responsible
for providing services to residents with disabilities to enjoy a more
independent and meaningful life, such as employment services and
residential services within the community.
*1391 South Jones Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 486-6200
Desert Regional Center (DRC) is the state regional center for people
with disabilities serving Las Vegas, Clark County and portions of
Lincoln and Nye Counties.
*1665 Old Hot Springs Road, Suite 157, Carson City, NV 89706
(775) 687-5162
*1825 Pinion Road, Suite A, Elko, NV 89801
(775) 753-4236
*151 North Maine Street, Fallon, NV 89406
(775) 423-0347
*3595 Highway 50 West, Suite 3, Silver Springs, NV 89429
(775) 577-4077

37
*475 West Haskell, Winnemucca, NV 89445
(775) 623-6593
Rural Regional Center (RRC) is the state regional center for people
with disabilities serving rural areas outside of Reno and Las Vegas.
The main intake office is located in Carson City, with other offices in
Elko, Fallon, Silver Springs, and Winnemucca.
*605 South 21st Street, Sparks, NV 89431-5599
(775) 688-1930
Sierra Regional Center (SRC) is the state regional center for people
with disabilities serving Reno/Sparks and Washoe County.
Nevada Council of the Blind
http://www.nvblind.org/
*PO Box 364496, North Las Vegas, NV 89036
(702) 383-0600
The Nevada Council of the Blind (NCB) is a non-profit organization
based in North Las Vegas, NV. NCB provides advocacy for independent
living for those with a visual impairment. As an affiliate of the American
Council of the Blind, NCB additionally provides employment advocacy,
including training.
Nevada Disability Advocacy and Law Center
http://www.ndalc.org/
*6039 Eldora Avenue, Suite C, Box 3, Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 257-8150
*1865 Plumas Street #2C, Reno, NV 89509
(775) 333-7878
*1250 Lamoille Highway, Suite 944, Elko, NV 89801
(775) 777-1590
The Nevada Disability Advocacy and Law Center (NDALC) is a non-
profit, statewide organization that provides education, training, and
legal support for people with disabilities. NDALC operates offices in
Elko, Reno/Sparks, and Las Vegas, and provides legal representation
based on individual case merit and the ability of NDALC to resolve the
issue.
Nevada Job Connect
http://www.nevadajobconnect.com/centers/index.php
*4001 South Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89502
(775) 284-9600
*121 Industrial Way, Fallon, NV 89406
(775) 423-5115
*3405 South Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89169
(702) 486-0100
*119 Water Street, Henderson, NV 89015
(702) 486-0300
*1929 North Carson Street, Carson City, NV 89701
(775) 684-0400
*2827 Las Vegas Boulevard, North Las Vegas, NV 89030
(702) 486-0200
*172 Sixth Street, Elko, NV 89801
(775) 753-1900
*1675 East Prater Way, Suite 103, Sparks, NV 89434
(775) 284-9520
* 1541 E. Basin St., Building #1, Pahrump, NV 89048
(775) 537-2323
*1500 Avenue F, Suite 1, Ely, NV 89301
(775) 289-1616
*475 West Haskell Street, #1, Winnemucca, NV 89445
(775) 623-6520

38
Nevada Job Connect offers eleven career centers statewide that provide
job listings, placement, skills assessment, and training, in addition
to other programs. Job Connect also works in conjunction with the
Rehabilitation Division of the Nevada Department of Employment,
Training, and Rehabilitation to provide vocational rehabilitation
services.
Northern Nevada Center for Independent
Living
http://www.nncil.org
*999 Pyramid Way, Sparks, NV 89431
(775) 353-3599
*1250 Lamoille Hwy. #944, Elko, NV 89801
(775) 753-4300
*1919 Grimes Street #B, Fallon, NV 89406
(775) 423-4900
The Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living (NNCIL), based in
Reno, NV with offices in Elko and Fallon, NV offer a variety of services
to those with disabilities to increase independence. NNCIL offers
assistive technologies, home and vehicle modifications, training in
public transportation, and general life skills training, in addition to
other services.
Social Security Administration
http://www.ssa.gov/
*10416 S Eastern Avenue, Henderson, NV 89052
(800) 772-1213
*1250 S Buffalo Dr. Suite 150, Las Vegas, NV 89117
(800) 772-1213
*4340 Simmons Street, North Las Vegas, NV 89032
(866) 614-9667
*1170 Harvard Way, Reno, NV 89502
(888) 808-5481
The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides a number of services
to those with disabilities including Supplemental Security Income (SSI),
plans 1619(a) and 1619(b), Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE),
Blind Work Expenses (BWE), and the Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS).
For more information on these programs, see Resource Methodology,
SSI Annual Statistical Report.
Southern Nevada Centers for Independent
Living
http://www.sncil.org/
*6039 Eldora Ave., Ste. H-8, Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 889-4216
The Southern Nevada Centers for Independent Living (SNCIL) provide
services to increase independence for residents of Southern Nevada
with disabilities. SNCIL provides coaching on available programs
such as Supplemental Security Income, life skills training, adaptive
technologies, and many other services. In addition, SNCIL is the state
Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) provider. In this
capacity, SNCIL is authorized by the Social Security Administration to
provide assistance and guidance to beneficiaries with disabilities for
job planning and placement, and analysis of benefits eligibility and
work incentive programs.
Supported Employment Community Providers
Alpha Productions Technology
*50 Freeport Blvd # 3, Sparks, NV 89431-6254
(775) 359-4498
American Rehabilitation (ARC)
*4601 W. Sahara Ave., Suite T, Las Vegas, NV 89102
(702) 878-1111

39
A.S.A.P. Employment Services
http://www.asapemployment.com/index.html
*3175 E. Warm Springs # 117, Las Vegas, NV 89120
(702) 210-4468
Carpe Diem
*4525 Spring Mountain Rd. Suite 110, Las Vegas, NV 89102
(702) 485-6705
Choices for All
*3189 Mill St, Reno, NV 89502
(775) 324-2322
Danville Mesquite (Green Willow)
http://www.danserv.com/home/
*150 N. Yucca, Rm. # 22, Mesquite, NV 89027
(435) 634-1704
Disability Resources
http://disability.ibiworld.com/
*50 E. Greg St., Ste. 102, Sparks, Nevada 89431
(775) 329-1126
Easter Seals Southern Nevada
http://sn.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=NVCL_
homepage
*6200 West Oakey Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 870-7050
*4336 Losee Road Building B, Suites 1 & 2, North Las Vegas, NV
89030
(702) 649-7151
Fallon Industries
http://fallonindustries.org/
*1520 South Maine Street, Fallon, NV 89406
(775) 423-4760
Fletcher Employment Services
*773 N. Christy Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89110
(702) 580-9028
Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow
http://www.lasvegasfit.org/
* 1931 Stella Lake Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89106
(702) 367-4348
Goodwill Industries of Sacramento Valley and
Northern Nevada
http://www.goodwillsacto.org/
*6648 Franklin Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95823
(916) 395-9000
Goodwill of Southern Nevada, Inc.
http://www.sngoodwill.org/
*1280 W. Cheyenne Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89030
(702) 214-2000
High Sierra Industries - Washoe Ability Resource
Center
http://www.warcnv.com/
http://hsireno.com/
*790 Sutro Street, Reno, NV 89512
(775) 333-9272
Murray, Ruth
*4461 W. Murray Court, Pahrump, NV 89048
(775) 537-0161
New Vista Community
http://www.newvistanv.org/
*5220 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 457-4677

40
Opportunity Village
http://www.opportunityvillage.org/index.php
*6300 West Oakey Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 259-3700
*Retail Store: 4600 Meadows Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89107
(702) 383-1082
*6050 S. Buffalo Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89113
(702) 262-1550
*451 E Lake Mead Blvd., Henderson, NV 89015
(702) 564-7400
Portals (REM)
*4660 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89103
(702) 873-5554
Progressive Choices
*3000 Rigel Ave. (Corporate Office), Las Vegas, NV 89102
(702) 248-9484
Rainbow Meadows
*3053 W Craig RD. Suite 192, N. Las Vegas, NV 89032
(702) 255-9233
Salvation Army Friendship Circle
*P.O. Box 91300, Henderson, NV 89009
(702) 565-8836
Summit (Pinnacle)
*3435 W. Cheyenne, Suite 103, N. Las Vegas, NV 89032
(702) 636-0841
Trinity
http://www.trinity-services.org/programs_services/Trinity_West.aspx
240 South Rock Blvd, Suite #133, Reno, NV 89502
(775) 857-2500
Unger, Heidi
*HCR 38, Box 140, Las Vegas, NV 89124
(702) 395-1519
United Cerebral Palsy of Nevada
*6100 Neil Rd., Suite 201, Reno, NV 89511
(775) 834-4164
UNR Path-Step
http://www.unr.edu/psych/behavior/path.html
*Behavior Analysis Program, University of Nevada Reno, Mack Social
Science, Room 404, Department of Psychology, Mail Stop 296, Reno,
NV 89557
(775) 636-2584
Westview
http://www.westviewservices.org/
*1401 S. Arville Street, Ste. D, Las Vegas, NV 89102
(702) 248-6735

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