BIPARTISAN PROGRAM INCREASES JOBS FOR DISABLED

Senator Williams’ SB-05 boosts employment for developmentally disabled

DENVER— Today the Senate unanimously passed a bill sponsored by Sen. Suzanne Williams, (D-Aurora) to help create initiatives for community centered boards and other vendors to provide employment services for developmentally disabled persons.

The purpose of Senate Bill 08-05 is to create a two-year pilot program to improve the efficiency of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and to increase the number of persons with developmental disabilities who are employed. The bill would require the DVR to create a funding system to support employment services for persons with developmental disabilities, chronic mental illness, and traumatic brain injuries.

“Our goal is to make it easier for people who are developmentally disabled to become active members of our community,” Williams said. “It is also important that we back that up with incentives for those changes to take place.”

The bill would be implemented within existing appropriations and would improve Colorado’s fiscal strength by allowing people to work, thus expanding our tax base.

The bill moves to the House next for consideration.