Planning Ahead - Florida Developmental Disabilities Council

CHAPTER SEVENWork and RetirementLIFE STAGESPeople go through four periods in their lifetime:The Early Period—Birth to 5 yearsThe School Period—3-21 yearsThe Work and Family Period—22-64 yearsThe Retirement Period—65 and upEARLY INTERVENTION AND SCHOOLThings learned in the Early Period will prepare a person for the School Period. A significantportion of the School Period prepares us for the Work Period. We may think of the Work Periodas consuming at least half of our lives. Retirement provides the opportunity to rest and enjoythings we have not had time to do during the years of the Work Period.For individuals with developmental disabilities, these four periods may not be as evident; however,early intervention and integration have assisted persons with disabilities to make tremendousstrides in recent decades.Learning the basic daily living skills will begin in the Early Period and may extend for the full lifespan. Therefore, the blend of school (work preparation) and work may seem to extend indefinitely.The past decade or more has provided an emphasized effort to support individuals with disabilitiesto participate appropriately in the Work Period. Today, the opportunity to hold a jobshould be available to everyone with a disability who wishes to work. Since the mid-1980’s, over200,000 people with “the most severe” disabilities have been employed by using on-the-jobsystematic training and consistent follow along strategies. This may require ongoing additionalsupports such as supported employment coaches who help the person learn new skills or obtainspecial equipment that may be necessary to perform some tasks.Chapter 7, Work and Retirement31