Employment Programs

This annual conference focuses on quality of services for people with developmental disabilities. Held Aug. 10-12 in Baltimore, this year’s conference featured agencies that have implemented person-centered planning and individualized support structures. One highlight was individuals who have developed their own micro-enterprises. In addition, innovations in policies, systems issues, and quality assurance methodologies were presented.

This report offers recommendations to increase opportunities for people with disabilities to become fully involved in the economic mainstream of society. It presents research findings in key areas such as education and health care. It also describes selected state-level innovations affecting asset development and wealth accumulation. Finally, the report makes policy recommendations for securing meaningful employment, career advancement, and benefits needed for daily living and accommodations.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does NOT affect an employer's right to hold all employees to performance and conduct standards. It does mandate that employers make reasonable accommodations so individuals with disabilities can meet those standards. This guide explains how and when employees should request these accommodations and how employers should handle such requests. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission periodically updates the guide on their website.

Model communities “fully engage and use their social, economic and cultural resources to improve the quality of life for all of their citizens.” Wisconsin used this RFP to award MIG funds to communities for use in developing and implementing action plans to create a model community fitting that definition.

This presentation summarizes the role of regional coalitions of multiple stakeholder groups in redesigning Wisconsin’s employment and long-term care systems. Stakeholders are the intended audience.

Wisconsin used MIG funds to increase self-directed supports within a managed care framework in their state. Find here a set of policy recommendations used for setting the stage for this effort as well as a qualitative study outlining the implementation process. There are also several presentations focused on training support workers to understand and facilitate self-direction, using Cash & Counseling to support employment, and helping people with traumatic brain injuries return to work.

Wisconsin uses MIG funds to increase integrated employment using strategies such as vocational planning, peer support, social enterprises, and self-employment. The first resource here presents best practices in integrated employment from 23 states. The rest are manuals and training materials for replicating vocational planning, social enterprise, and self-employment programs.

The goal of this MIG project was to understand and reduce mental health stigma among employers. The year-end report summarizes events and trainings held, public awareness work, and other deliverables produced as part of this effort.

Wisconsin developed this project to improve work opportunities for students with sensory impairments by educating employers. The first document is a resource guide on low-cost workplace accommodations, with a focus on assistive technology. The second presents the findings of a statewide employer survey on accommodations and trainings used. The final document is the year-end MIG report for the project.

Wisconsin developed the WorkSource website and phone and email hotline to answer employers’ questions about recruiting and employing people with disabilities. Here you can find a focus group and needs assessment report used in developing the website. There are also a WorkSource brochure, a list of questions that can be answered within 24 hours, and a link to the site.