More people with disabilities – especially transition-age youth – are choosing competitive, integrated employment over less inclusive alternatives, but Minnesota does not have the service infrastructure to support their career goals.

 

In partnership with a broad range of stakeholders, we’ve developed a proposal that would direct the Departments of Human Services, Education, and Employment & Economic Development to create legislative recommendations aimed at increasing competitive, integrated employment for young adults and individuals with the most significant support needs associated with their disability – including mental illness.

The Departments are also directed to partner with stakeholders in developing a plan to restructure and rebalance funding for employment supports, and create incentives for employment services that help all people with disabilities utilize their skills and expertise in finding and keeping jobs, regardless of their age or support needs.

 

Our supporters in this effort – including the Autism Society of Minnesota, Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota, Dungarvin MN, Kaposia, Lifeworks, the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, the Minnesota Association of People Supporting Employment First, the Minnesota Disability Law Center, NAMI Minnesota, Opportunity Partners, Reach for Resources, Strengths at Work, and more – are committed to enhancing collaboration across and alongside state agencies to expand customized, competitive, integrated employment that can help ensure all Minnesotans with disabilities have access to meaningful employment opportunities.

View our Competitive, Integrated Employment for Minnesotans with Disabilities one-pager