TASH RESOLUTION ON INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT

Statement of Purpose

TASH recognizes the importance of work in the lives of all people as an element of responsible citizenship. TASH calls for rapid and immediate development of individualized and integrated employment for all people with disabilities and the rapid and permanent replacement of segregated activity centers and sheltered workshops. TASH affirms the right of all people with severe disabilities to full participation in community life with support tailored to individual abilities and needs. Integrated employment is a critical element of community living.

Rationale

Despite the fact that individuals with severe disabilities repeatedly demonstrate success in integrated employment, the vast majority of individuals with severe disabilities do not have access to integrated jobs. Most individuals with severe disabilities continue to be isolated and segregated in a day activity centers and sheltered workshops or are unemployed and unserved on waiting lists. Reliance on community participation must not be seen as a substitute for employment.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, THAT TASH, an international advocacy association of people with disabilities, their family members, other advocates and people who work in the disability field, endorses the following features of employment for all people with severe disabilities:

• Integration: Employment of people with severe disabilities must be in regular employment settings where they work along side people without disabilities. Frequent and ongoing interactions and the development of relationships must be assured.
• Income and benefits: Employment must result in meaningful compensation for work performed and include benefits comparable to co-workers performing similar work.
• Choice: Job selection and retention must be based on the choice of the individual
• Control of resources: People with disabilities and those they choose to support them should be given the option of controlling and directing the funding and resources allocated on their behalf for employment.
• Ongoing career advancement: Employment for persons with severe disabilities must be viewed as careers over time where job changes and advancement occur in the interest of higher pay, greater responsibility and variety, better working conditions and individual interest.
• Individualized and natural supports: The assistance and support provided persons with severe disabilities should be individualized according to needs and abilities and should maximize natural supports provided by personnel in the workplace.
• Equal access: People with the greatest support needs must be given high priority for employment.
  

Adopted December 1989
Revised March 2000

• Choice
• Life in the Community
• Supports in the Community