SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Doris Turner is leading a measure to increase awareness of work incentives for students with a disability by requiring schools to share informational materials with parents and guardians.

“Students with disabilities deserve to know the career options that are available to them,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We have to ensure families and students have the support to guide the journey to work and greater independence.”

The Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program is a federally funded initiative created to help individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance and/or Supplemental Security Income make informed choices about employment. House Bill 4581 would require informational materials on the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program to be provided to a student and the student's parent or guardian at both the initial transition planning meeting convened for a student with a disability by the school district and during the student's final year in high school.

Turner’s measure specifies that school districts would be required to collaborate with the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program servicing their area to determine the process of obtaining and disseminating informational materials. There are three active cooperative agreements in place for eligible beneficiaries who are residents of Illinois, including Volunteers of America of Illinois, Disability Rights Iowa and the Illinois Assistive Technology Program.

“By providing more information on employment opportunities for students with disabilities, we are opening a door to build a strong career plan,” said Turner. “We need to set students up for future success in the workforce, no matter their disability.”

House Bill 4581 passed the Senate Education Committee Tuesday.