St. Paul, Minnesota – March 19, 2025 – The Arc Minnesota is leading the charge for employment equality and disability rights by advocating for increased competitive integrated employment (CIE) across the state. Three new videos, made possible through The Arc Minnesota’s Peer to Peer Mentor program and funded by a grant from the Minnesota Transformation Initiative, showcase the stories of people with disabilities working in Arc’s Value Village thrift stores around the Twin Cities.
The Peer to Peer Mentor program recruits peer mentors, hosts trainings and panel discussions, and makes videos to promote competitive integrated employment. Competitive integrated employment means that people with and without disabilities earn the same amount, at least minimum wage, and receive the same benefits for doing the same job. Peer mentors are people with disabilities, with jobs, who help other people with disabilities on their own job journey.
This video series is one piece of a larger movement that shows people with disabilities can and do work the same jobs as people without disabilities. The value they bring is clear.
“There’s nothing wrong with us. We’re just wired in a way that can encourage different thinking and new perspectives, and we might think of a way to do something that you had never thought of that makes your life easier!” says Shawn who loves working at the Arc’s Value Village in New Hope.
These new videos highlight the good work of people with disabilities, alongside the perspectives of co-workers without disabilities. They encourage other communities to consider the benefits of people working together.
Regarding the transition to CIE from subminimum wage, CEO of The Arc Minnesota, Naveh Eldar says, “Fortunately, we already have proven blueprints. Over a dozen states have made this transition successfully, leading to higher employment rates, more hours worked, and increased wages. I understand the concerns some may have, but we have data, stories, and experiences that show those fears are unfounded. The time to move forward is now.”
View the three videos in the series here:
- Disability Employment | Arc’s Value Village, New Hope | The Arc Minnesota
- Disability Employment | Arc’s Value Village, Bloomington | The Arc Minnesota
- Disability Employment | Arc’s Value Village, Richfield | The Arc Minnesota
For more information, contact: Olivia Lape, Peer to Peer Mentoring Program Manager at OliviaLape@Arc Minnesota.org or 952-243-4014
About The Arc Minnesota
The Arc Minnesota is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the human rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through advocacy, education, and support services, The Arc Minnesota works to ensure their full inclusion in all aspects of community life. To learn more or get involved, visit arcminnesota.org.