Wyoming Employment Specialist Training

Hosted By:Lisa Dennis

History

• History- Understanding the evolution of employment services serves as the foundation of how we got where we are and the importance of why we are here

History & ValuesCategories 1960’s-1970’s 1980’s 1990’s 2000’s

ModelMedical Developmental Community-Based

Integration Driven by Individual

CharacteristicsCustodial Treatment

DeprivationContinuous,

Get Ready SlotsNetworking, Civil

Rights, Relationships, Natural Supports

Choice, Self-Determination,

Economic Power

Society Role

Patient Client Consumer, CustomerSocial Inclusion

Social ExpectationsCitizenship

EmploymentIsolationNo Work

Work Activity

SegregationWork Activity

Sheltered Workshops

Supported IntegrationSupported Employment

Enclaves/Crews

InclusionCompetitive Employment

Residential Institution Group Living Supported LivingIntegration

Home OwnershipCommunity Inclusion

History • 17th and 18th Centuries • Idiot Cages—used to “keep people with disabilities

out of trouble,” but also for entertaining townspeople

John Locke believed that learning comes through association ("ideas derive from experience")

History• 1800’s – 1950’s • 1840’s Training schools were opened up to teach,

socialize, train and self help.

• Most of theses Training schools used Edward Seguin teaching methods

• Seguin saw the potential benefits of a physiological method in treating mental retardation. Seguin believed that mental deficiency was caused by a weakness of the nervous system, and could be cured through a process of motor and sensory training. By developing the muscles and senses, Seguin believed his pupils - regardless of their level of mental retardation - would obtain more control over their central nervous systems, thus allowing them to have more control over their wills.

History• 1800’s – 1950’s

• The schools quickly became asylums, providing custodial care for an increasing number of individuals with developmental disabilities. As enrollment increased, the commitment to education was largely abandoned. Pupils became "inmates." Through the 1870s and 1880s

In 1900’s, there were about 10 private institutions for persons with disabilities; by 1923 that number increased to 80.

History• 1950’s – 1980’s

• The Awaking • The parents movement. Parents start fighting for

better living conditions and community services. • Parents got together had support groups, started

services in the communities sheltered work shops, day facilities

• 1960’s- 1970’sThe Independent Living MovementIndependent Living is a philosophy and a movement

of people with disabilities who work for self-determination, equal opportunities and self-respect.

• Ed Roberts, Judy Heuman and other self advocates emerge as leaders of the disability rights movement and promote independent living philosophy.

He was the first student with severe disabilities to attend the University of California,Berkely.

History• Key Legislative Advancements

1965: Elementary & Secondary Education Act: Funding was made available to educate the “educationally deprived”

• 1973: Section 504 of the Rehab Act: People with disabilities are protected from discrimination in all federal programs

• 1975: Education for all Handicapped Children Act: Amended in the 90’s and is now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This law ensures that public schools offer all children with disabilities a free appropriate education in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their individual needs

• 1990: Americans with Disabilities Act: Goal is full participation and independence for persons with disabilities ADA

ValuesA person's principles or standards of behavior;

one's judgment of what is important

Values• Core values • fundamental beliefs of a person or

organization • the guiding principles that dictate

behavior and action • can help people to know what is right

from wrong• they can help companies to determine if

they are on the right path and fulfilling their business goals

• create an unwavering and unchanging guide

ValuesWhat are Important Values for where you work?

Employment First

“Employment First means “expecting, encouraging, providing, creating, and rewarding integrated employment in the general workforce as the FIRST and Preferred option of youth and adults with disabilities”

APSE Employment First Manifesto

Employment First

It promotes policies, practices and strategies that focus on integrated, community-based employment as the desired outcome for ALL individuals with disabilities.

Employment First

• Wyoming – EmploymentWyomingites with disabilities want to work. They want real, meaningful employment that pays at least a federally mandated livable wage. They want to work in and contribute to their communities. Unfortunately, only a small group of people with disabilities and their family members at the forums shared that they were working in their communities. Many adults with developmental disabilities still work in sheltered workshop environments, earning pennies “per press of a button,” and are not transitioning into community employment. Nationally the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is 72%, in Wyoming it is 78%

http://ddcouncil.state.wy.us/WCGDDStatePlanFinal.pdf

Employment First

• Guiding principles, practices and strategies are disseminated through state statute, regulation that makes funding for integrated community-based employment a priority

• Employment First uses supported employment and customized employment strategies. However, we do not define employment by these strategies.

Employment First

Employment First

• Employment First initiatives center on…..

“holding individuals with disabilities to the same employment standards, responsibilities, and expectations as any working-age adult”

Employment First

Core Values• Anyone who wants to work can • Inclusion • Real Work, Real Pay• Services are individualized• Support of family members,

friends and coworkers • Choice*,

self-determination/direction

Debrief & Discussion

Thanks to our sponsors

Anyone you recruit

Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities

Bridges