Less than Effective Approaches to Employment
State Councils and entities that work with persons with developmental disabilities indicate there are a number of approaches which are less than effective in obtaining employment. Ineffective approaches listed most frequently among respondents were:
- Poor job matching
Merely filling "slots," as opposed to assessing the vocational interests of the person with developmental disabilities. Respondents say the more individualized the "match," especially if a job has been specifically carved out, the more likely the job will last;
- Jobs demanding high production
These types of jobs are often very stressful, placing the person with developmental disabilities in an uncomfortable, high-speed, high pressure situation;
- Sheltered agencies/segregated work sites
Employees in these settings generally earn less than minimum wage with no benefits, and do not have opportunities for promotion. We were also told that some supervisors at sheltered agencies may retain their best workers to keep up with production demands, rather than allowing persons with developmental disabilities to compete in the private sector or move into a supported employment setting;
- Mobile work crews/enclaves
We were told that placing individuals in roving work crews which perform cleaning and other custodial tasks in office buildings (perhaps spending
10 minutes in 20-25 different offices) does not allow for full integration of persons with developmental disabilities;
- Offering too many financial incentives to employers
It is important not to overemphasize tax incentives or "oversell" potential employees with developmental disabilities. Rather, job agencies and placement specialists should work to fill actual human resource needs which companies have. We were cautioned by one State that businesses might terminate an employee should financial incentives expire; and
- Prescribing outdated pre-vocational training models
We were told that too much emphasis on skills building and job preparedness is a less than effective approach. While training of the employee with developmental disabilities is important, many employers are now conducting training themselves, reducing the need for extensive, pre-placement training.
Highlights of comments regarding ineffective approaches to employment are contained in Appendix B, which includes various responses from State Councils, State agencies, job agencies, and employers.