THE FUTURE OF SHELTERED WORKSHOPS
by Colleen Beard of CareSpotlight
This section is dedicated to the hotly-debated, nationwide movement that is taking place: to close down sheltered workshops for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities. This action will drastically alter lives. Yes, some lives will improve from this change and hopefully will result in better opportunity. But, this is certainly the answer for all. Bottom line, we need to protect CHOICE for people - at all levels of ability.
Approximately 230,000 individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities work at sheltered workshops in America, and these workshops - as we know them today - are slated to close by 2020.
Disability rights advocates want to close these sheltered workshops and move individuals into the working world - into "the community". They claim these sheltered workshops isolate people with disabilities and exploit them by not paying at least a minimum wage. Many individuals, families and people are speaking out - against these claims.
For those individuals that are able to work for a business with little supervision, be productive, meet goals, and be reliable - without a doubt, they should have that working opportunity in the community and be fairly compensated. However, for many people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, this is not their reality (including my brother, but I will address that later).
I believe that businesses should be encouraged to hire individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, and that resources at both state and county levels should be offered in this process. Not only to help people to find appropriate employment, but to ensure the environment is productive, supportive and safe. And that the environment remains this way.
Individuals with disabilities need more employment opportunities. But, working in the community is not a solution for all, and it's not practical for all companies.
Certainly, not everyone is capable of being "in the community" independently and holding down a job. It is simply not an option. And for many, it never will be. Not only is it not possible for many, but it is also not safe.
These sheltered workshops are much more than simply "a place to work". For many, this a place to go when there is no other. A safe place that will offer a sense of accomplishment, independence, pride, and companionship/friendship.
Staff is trained to work with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
And let's be very clear: these individuals are already doing work for companies. They are helping to run printing presses, sorting hangers, inserting golf tees in boxes, shredding paper, assembling pizza boxes, crushing cans, and so much more. These workshops get contracts with companies in their communities that want to support people with disabilities.
Yes, it is true: these companies are able to cut costs by not having to pay these workshops the same amount they would have to pay if they were employing these individuals. But, that is a complex issue and is addressed by several parents in the videos I have added to this site (link below) from organizations like Dignity Has a Voice.
Many families would tell you they would actually be willing to pay the workshops to keep them open and have a place for their loved one to go each day. If you don't have a loved one at a sheltered workshop, that might be difficult to understand. But, it's important to keep in mind there are very different situations and people with various levels of ability at these workshops.
Workers are usually not relying on this money to pay their rent or to eat. The majority of these individuals are already receiving federal/state/county funding to live. Their workshop paycheck is typically discretionary income and often is next to nothing.
I would argue that this could be changed - the business model and the level of compensation for those that are producing and that want to stay at the workshops.
But, to close these altogether seems cruel.
So, what will happen to those individuals that aren't able to hold a job in the community? Will they be forced to go to a day program where there is no longer any work to be done? (And, the day programs are an entirely different post-worthy discussion. Not all programs are created equal.) Will they spend their days at home? What will they do all day? Who will care for them? What about those individuals that are still living at home with their parents? Do these parents quit their jobs to be home all day with their adult child who once loved to go to work so much?
And, to the proponents of these closings that say some workshops will remain open - it is a slap in the face to many of the individuals working at these workshops and their parents/families. The few workshops that will remain open will no longer be workshops, they will become "activity centers" and will be sold to private enterprises that will not pay the same salaries of current workshop employees. Therefore, individuals that do enjoy the sense of pride and accomplishment from work (and the income, be it small) but are unable to work in the community, will lose the opportunity to work. And, current employees of workshops will be forced to leave due to pay and the quality of care will undoubtedly decline. This privatization also means less accountability and less transparency.
My brother, Patrick, is not able to hold a job in the community. He requires 24/7 total care and lives with severe physical and developmental disabilities from Cerebral Palsy. He needs someone with him at all times, he is very limited in his abilities and he would not be able to meet any productivity guidelines set by any company in the '"real world." This is his reality. To place him in a "community" working situation would be naive and cruel.
As his sister and legal guardian, I have his best interest in mind. In fact, after over 20 years of attending a sheltered workshop, I moved him to an activity-based day center because he was no longer benefiting from work and much preferred to listen to his radio, wheel himself around, visit with people, and occasionally attend social outings. He was not interested in work and it was not bringing him joy or a sense of accomplishment. Activity/day centers is what makes most sense. And, that's OK.
I am not taking away his rights to a job in the community. I am protecting him from a situation that might result in being unsafe, upsetting, confusing, and more frustrating than productive.
However, for so many people, the workshops are vital to their well-being. And they are able to contribute to society in a meaningful, safe and supportive environment these workshops provide. They don't want to leave and so many of these sites are wonderful.
Again, for individuals that are able to hold a job in the community - with or without some level of supervision/help - by all means, YES! And, they should be able to make at least a minimum wage.
But, there should be a choice. Choice for all individuals. Choice for families that advocate for their loved one that is not able to self advocate. Choice is what should be protected, not pushing a righteous, one-size-fits-all public policy agenda. We need to meet people where they are and celebrate our differences.
Approximately 230,000 individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities work at sheltered workshops in America, and these workshops - as we know them today - are slated to close by 2020.
Disability rights advocates want to close these sheltered workshops and move individuals into the working world - into "the community". They claim these sheltered workshops isolate people with disabilities and exploit them by not paying at least a minimum wage. Many individuals, families and people are speaking out - against these claims.
For those individuals that are able to work for a business with little supervision, be productive, meet goals, and be reliable - without a doubt, they should have that working opportunity in the community and be fairly compensated. However, for many people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, this is not their reality (including my brother, but I will address that later).
I believe that businesses should be encouraged to hire individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, and that resources at both state and county levels should be offered in this process. Not only to help people to find appropriate employment, but to ensure the environment is productive, supportive and safe. And that the environment remains this way.
Individuals with disabilities need more employment opportunities. But, working in the community is not a solution for all, and it's not practical for all companies.
Certainly, not everyone is capable of being "in the community" independently and holding down a job. It is simply not an option. And for many, it never will be. Not only is it not possible for many, but it is also not safe.
These sheltered workshops are much more than simply "a place to work". For many, this a place to go when there is no other. A safe place that will offer a sense of accomplishment, independence, pride, and companionship/friendship.
Staff is trained to work with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
And let's be very clear: these individuals are already doing work for companies. They are helping to run printing presses, sorting hangers, inserting golf tees in boxes, shredding paper, assembling pizza boxes, crushing cans, and so much more. These workshops get contracts with companies in their communities that want to support people with disabilities.
Yes, it is true: these companies are able to cut costs by not having to pay these workshops the same amount they would have to pay if they were employing these individuals. But, that is a complex issue and is addressed by several parents in the videos I have added to this site (link below) from organizations like Dignity Has a Voice.
Many families would tell you they would actually be willing to pay the workshops to keep them open and have a place for their loved one to go each day. If you don't have a loved one at a sheltered workshop, that might be difficult to understand. But, it's important to keep in mind there are very different situations and people with various levels of ability at these workshops.
Workers are usually not relying on this money to pay their rent or to eat. The majority of these individuals are already receiving federal/state/county funding to live. Their workshop paycheck is typically discretionary income and often is next to nothing.
I would argue that this could be changed - the business model and the level of compensation for those that are producing and that want to stay at the workshops.
But, to close these altogether seems cruel.
So, what will happen to those individuals that aren't able to hold a job in the community? Will they be forced to go to a day program where there is no longer any work to be done? (And, the day programs are an entirely different post-worthy discussion. Not all programs are created equal.) Will they spend their days at home? What will they do all day? Who will care for them? What about those individuals that are still living at home with their parents? Do these parents quit their jobs to be home all day with their adult child who once loved to go to work so much?
And, to the proponents of these closings that say some workshops will remain open - it is a slap in the face to many of the individuals working at these workshops and their parents/families. The few workshops that will remain open will no longer be workshops, they will become "activity centers" and will be sold to private enterprises that will not pay the same salaries of current workshop employees. Therefore, individuals that do enjoy the sense of pride and accomplishment from work (and the income, be it small) but are unable to work in the community, will lose the opportunity to work. And, current employees of workshops will be forced to leave due to pay and the quality of care will undoubtedly decline. This privatization also means less accountability and less transparency.
My brother, Patrick, is not able to hold a job in the community. He requires 24/7 total care and lives with severe physical and developmental disabilities from Cerebral Palsy. He needs someone with him at all times, he is very limited in his abilities and he would not be able to meet any productivity guidelines set by any company in the '"real world." This is his reality. To place him in a "community" working situation would be naive and cruel.
As his sister and legal guardian, I have his best interest in mind. In fact, after over 20 years of attending a sheltered workshop, I moved him to an activity-based day center because he was no longer benefiting from work and much preferred to listen to his radio, wheel himself around, visit with people, and occasionally attend social outings. He was not interested in work and it was not bringing him joy or a sense of accomplishment. Activity/day centers is what makes most sense. And, that's OK.
I am not taking away his rights to a job in the community. I am protecting him from a situation that might result in being unsafe, upsetting, confusing, and more frustrating than productive.
However, for so many people, the workshops are vital to their well-being. And they are able to contribute to society in a meaningful, safe and supportive environment these workshops provide. They don't want to leave and so many of these sites are wonderful.
Again, for individuals that are able to hold a job in the community - with or without some level of supervision/help - by all means, YES! And, they should be able to make at least a minimum wage.
But, there should be a choice. Choice for all individuals. Choice for families that advocate for their loved one that is not able to self advocate. Choice is what should be protected, not pushing a righteous, one-size-fits-all public policy agenda. We need to meet people where they are and celebrate our differences.
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