A definition of Employment First as stated by the website Employment First is “the first priority and preferred outcome of people with disabilities”.
Employment contains these vital concepts as related to people with disabilities:
1.) Being the first outcome for working-age youth and adults with disabilities, including those who have major disabilities and working in the past has been limited.
2.) Typical or customized employment techniques are used to secure membership in the workforce, where employees with disabilities are included on the payroll of a competitive business or industry or are self-employed business owners.
3.) The assigned work tasks offer prevailing wages and benefits.
4.) Opportunities are present for integration and interactions that do not have disabilities, with customers, and/or the general public.
“Employment First” is a great opportunity for progressing jobs for those with disabilities. However, the broad concern is that the new plan will be developed incompletely and will do little to ensure a change to a largely segregated system.
Currently a number of states, many led by their Developmental Disability Council and/or their APSE Chapter, are exploring Employment First polices and practices including California, Washington, Minnesota, Indiana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Iowa, Rhode Island, Nevada, et al. For more information, explore their website to read the latest news from the various states, review articles from those involved, explore sample policies, consider related training events, and for general information so you can stay informed.
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
