I belong to the National Association of People Supporting EmploymentFirst (APSE) and I am also a member of the Nebraska APSE Board. As a member of this organization, I believe that all Nebraskans should have equal opportunities to choose and maintain a good job, use their talents and skills, earn competitive wages, increase their self-support, and contribute to the economic prosperity of their communities.
Although President Obama recently signed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act into law in July, I am aware that the issue of "Employment First" is still a polarizing issue. About the WIOA, President Obama stated that the WIOA would "help workers, including workers with dsabilities, access employment, education, job-driven training, and support services that give them the chance to advance their careers and secuire the good jobs of the future."
Some of the change we will see in advancing "Employment First" locally will be a change in the way that Vocational Rehabilitation provides services to transition students who are making the transition from school to adult life, which includes employment. This will also include efforts to limit the use of sub-minimum wage for individuals with disabilities and encourage those adults with disabilities who want to work, to find community work at minimum wage or above, with wages and benefits similar to those without disabilities doing the same work. This means that "competitive integrated employment" will be the optimal outcome.
The reasons that I am passionate about the issue of "Employment First" are many. Among the most important are that "Employment First" creates opportunities for all people to advance in their careers. Besides increasing financial security, it allows individuals to develop a sense of accomplishment, to experience an increase in self-worth, and to create relationships with others who do not have disabilities. The community benefits by experiencing a more diverse workforce and a decrease of dependency on public funding. Finally, employers benefit from value that individuals with disabilities can provide their business including access to dependable and qualified individuals.
I have personally seen how community employment has changed the lives of individuals with disabilities by providing them an opportunities to enrich their lives. Let me share a brief story of "Joe" and how his life was impacted by employment and how he impacted the lives of others through his work.
Joe was an athlete, a boxer, who suffered from brain injury due to the cumulative affect of being hit in the head and even being knocked out on numerous occasions over the years during his career in boxing. Now in his 40s, Joe was struggling with concentration and had much difficulty maintaining employment, but greatly desired to be able to financially support his family. Although no longer involved in boxing, Joe enjoyed being physically fit, and longed to find a job where he could combine this passion with work. Through his involvement in a supported employment program, Joe evenutually found a job where he cleaned at fitness club five days a week. Joe didn't have a car, but used his bike to get to work and quickly developed a connection with his coworkers and the clientele of the fitness club. After a few months on the job, Joe left work one day to find that his bike had been stolen. His manager offered to give him a ride home and helped him to get to and from work since he no longer had transportation. After a few weeks, Joe arrived at work one day to find his coworkers with a surprise gift for Joe - a brand new bike! Joe's manager and coworkers valued Joe's contribution to the workplace so much that they got together to provide the assistance that Joe needed to continue working there.
Joe's story is one that demonstrates how everyone won when Joe went to work at the fitness club. Joe got to have a job he loved and was able to get paid a wage that helped him provide for his family. The clientele at the fitness club enjoyed interacting with Joe, who was always friendly and interested in helping others. The fitness club staff benefitted by having a great employee and team player who became a friend to his coworkers.
For more information on how you can help advance the mission of "Employment First" please visit www.apse.org or the "Nebraska APSE" page on Facebook. Let's work together to create opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the workplace. Let's get to work!
