Thread by @autselfadvocacy

TODAY is the Congressional briefing on integrated employment for people with disabilities! Join us, using the hashtag #RealWork4RealPay: autisticadvocacy.org/2019/10/integr…

The briefing is beginning! @AlisonBarkoff thanks everyone for coming, and says that integrated employment for people with disabilities is a bipartisan issue. #RealWork4RealPay

Micheal Yudin of @CPSDAdvocacy says that people with disabilities can complete #RealWork4RealPay, and shouts out bipartisan bills that advance competitive integrated employment.

Lisa Grubb, Exec Director of @NatCounDis, says competitive integrated employment and ending the sub minimum wage is a priority. #RealWork4RealPay is also a central focus in the NCD report “New Deal to the Real Deal”.

.@AlisonBarkoff talks about how the stories shared today center the ways that integrated employment impact the lives of people with disabilities first hand. #RealWork4RealPay

Many of the speakers today transitioned from a sheltered workshop to integrated employment. Integrated employment means jobs in the community, alongside people with and without disabilities, and receiving real, equal pay. #RealWork4RealPay

Tonya Millings, Director of @TheArcofVA, talks about transitioning a sheltered workshop in a group home into integrated employment. They called this making “a life like yours”.

She emphasizes listening to the people with disabilities’ wants and needs firsthand

#RealWork4RealPay

Lakesha Logan, a self advocate and employee at Dell’Anno’s Pizzeria, says she was worried about losing her benefits at first, but she was able to keep them by working only as many hours as she wanted-for equal pay.

She says she likes her job and making friends
#RealWork4RealPay

Eric Cottrell, self advocate and employee at Piedmont Regional Feeding Clinic, was at a sheltered workshop for 13 years, since he was 16.

#RealWork4RealPay

Eric was laid off from his first job, and then took on a mentorship position with younger students. He continued to look for work. He then found a new job in food service, and then found his current position with the Piedmont Regional Feeding Clinic.

#RealWork4RealPay

He says he works with his heart, and he loves all of his job.

#RealWork4RealPay

Lakesha talks about her goals for the future, including having a home of her own.

Eric talks about the benefits of now having his own apartment, and going to bed when he wants. His future goals are to go full time at his job, and to go to college.

#RealWork4RealPay

.@AlisonBarkoff shares that in Oregon the number of people in competitive integrated employment has increased dramatically, while the number in sheltered workshops has dropped to below 300. #RealWork4RealPay

Acacia McGuire, statewide Employment First Coordinator for Oregon emphasizes that if someone wants to work, the state’s job is to make sure they can, including people with significant disabilities. #RealWork4RealPay

The transition program has people who can help people in Oregon find jobs, as well as keep them, and they work closely with vocational rehab. It’s important to them that people have access to community inclusion, in addition to integrated employment. #RealWork4RealPay

She emphasizes that these changes take time and money, but that as people become more integrated the costs often even out. #RealWork4RealPay

The state emphasizes that this isn’t charity, and that people with disabilities are held to the same standards as their peers.

Employment First made it a point to talk to families about supports, and what having integrated community support looks like.

#RealWork4RealPay

In 2023, Oregon will no longer have the subminimum wage. #RealWork4RealPay

“Tad” Carroll’s father, Joe, shares that his son has multiple disabilities, including developmental disabilities, and that his work has been key to him becoming more independent. #RealWork4RealPay

Tad used to work in a sheltered workshop dealing with packing materials, and was paid ten cents an hour. His transition into community based employment took time, and lots of planning. He ultimately began work at a local restaurant.

#RealWork4RealPay

Bill Stumpf and his son Kyle Stumpf, an employee at a pizza place in Iowa, share their journey towards inclusion. They had fight for him to be included in education. He didn’t receive info about integrated employment.

Kyle used to work in a sheltered workshop.

#RealWork4RealPay

With guidance from his community, Bill transitioned Kyle into employment in an integrated setting for equal pay. He received services, such as vocational support, through a state waiver. #RealWork4RealPay

Bill acknowledges that he used to be a barrier to his son accessing integrated employment, but that that changed as he learned about it. #RealWork4RealPay

Bill says that given the right opportunities, including real employment, Kyle can continue to care for himself after he passes on. #RealWork4RealPay

Joshua Laird, self advocate and employee at Salisbury University and a local marina in MD, shares that he had a hard time during transition age due to a lack of money. He transitioned into a workforce training center that helped him find work. #RealWork4RealPay

Joshua Laird says he likes working at the marina because he can be outside and listen to music. He also likes his job at the university. He has learned how to budget and save his own money, which he credits to supports. #RealWork4RealPay

Q from the audience: How do you support the transition into the community for people who have significant disabilities?

The panel says that it’s a combination of specialists, grants, and training and supports. It takes creativity and listening to the person. #RealWork4RealPay

This ends our coverage of this event. To read full testimonies, check out this webpage: thecpsd.org/cpsd-ncd-congr…

For more info on competitive integrated employment check out integratedemploymentnow.org