- Over the past 7 years, the number of individuals in Washington most impacted by their disabilities (high acuity) who are working in competitive, integrated environments has nearly tripled from 405 to 1,211
- Average paid hours dipped, but that trend reversed in 2018
The following is excerpted from "Employment First in Washington. Alderbrook 2018," by David Mank, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus at Indiana University:
Fifteen years ago, in 2004, the State of Washington issued its Working Age Adult Policy. This Policy, a first in the nation, affirmed a fundamental belief that all people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) have talents and ability to contribute in typical workplaces in every community. This Policy, which has guided the development and expansion of competitive integrated employment states:
“Pathways to Employment: Each individual will be supported to pursue his or her own unique path to work, a career, or his or her contribution to/participation in community life. All individuals, regardless of the challenge of their disability, will be afforded an opportunity to pursue competitive employment.” (Washington State Working Age Adult Policy, 2004).”
Seven years ago, in March 2012, the Washington State Legislature passed legislation to support employment as the first choice of services for adults of working age.
Since 2010, Washington has:
- Delivered more than a 50 percent increase in the number of people with (I/DD) working in competitive integrated employment.
- Increased, in every year, the number of people with the most significant disabilities (high acuity) earning minimum wage or higher.
- Increased average hourly wages from $9.99 to about $11.50. Reversed, in 2018, a decade-long trend of decreasing hours worked weekly. The average weekly hours worked had decreased from 14 to 10 hours per week. This has increased to more than 12 hours per week in 2018.
- Delivered the highest rate of competitive integrated employment services and employment outcomes in the nation as reported by The Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts.
- Significantly reduced the number of people in prevocational or non-employment services, from more than 750 in 2012, to fewer than 100 in 2018. Continued investment in School to Work outcomes with more than half of students leaving school with competitive integrated employment services or an employment outcome.
The full report includes reflections and observations for the work ahead.
