1 Working with Disabilities: The Meaning of Work for People with Disabilities as Understood by People with Disabilities and Employers of People with Disabilities By Jayne Kaszynski and Joelle Brouner Presented by Stephen Kozak, MIG Project Director Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Health and Recovery Services Administration Division of Eligibility and Service Delivery Office of Eligibility Policy and Community Education Funding provided by CMS Medicaid Infrastructure Grant CFDA No

2 Jayne’s Bio Jayne Kaszynski—Jayne is a student at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, where she is pursuing a Masters Degree in Public Administration. She also serves on the College Board of Trustees, appointed by the current Governor Christine Gregoire. Jayne is particularly interested in the experiences of people with mental health issues seeking employment. As a result of funding provided by the state’s MIG and a partnership with the Washington State Rehabilitation Council, Jayne co-facilitated two peer led focus groups of VR customers with mental health issues to gather their input on how services could better meet their needs.

3 Joelle’s Bio Joelle Brouner—Joelle is the Executive Director of the Washington State Rehabilitation Council. She has been involved extensively in the broader movement to advance the human rights of people with disabilities. Joelle understands her partnership with VR as a means to contribute to the economic advancement and increased self-determination of the disability community. She has a Bachelors of Arts in English from Seattle University in 1996, and is pursuing a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the Evergreen State College.

4 Purpose of Research Although much rhetoric exists around work benefits in general, we could find no examination of what influences people with disabilities’ perceptions of the meaning of work. Our research explores the intersection of work culture and disability culture, using grounded theory methodology and a focus on three main queries: What is the meaning of work? What is meaning of work for people with disabilities? How do these perceptions differ from or support those of employers (and employment professionals)? Examine and Compare Attitudes and Perceptions on the Meaning of Work – People with Disabilities and Employers of People with Disabilities

5 Research Methodology and Content Grounded Theory Methodology Described in the “Meaning of Work" report (Resource CD) Interviews – primary data People with disabilities and employers in urban counties Researcher with visible disability – consumers Researcher with non-visible disability – employers Literature Review – secondary data Evergreen State College – 20 diverse articles

6 Literature Review Scarce research on the perspectives of people with disabilities on the nature, meaning, and importance of work Apparent lack of interest in determining what is important and meaningful about work/ employment to people with disabilities in existing literature Focus rests on societal benefits, not taking needs or desires of people with disabilities into consideration, either implicitly or explicitly

7 Attitudes and Perceptions on the Meaning of Work Findings and Themes include: Extrinsic versus Intrinsic Value of Work/Employment - consumers Have a more permissive attitude toward work and a greater focus on extrinsic benefits (wage, health care, pension, flexible work model, etc) Distinguish work (activity) and employment (action with pay) Offer reasons why certain individuals should not be expected to work Support current program services that provide individuals the option of fulfilling social and emotional needs through dynamic community programs – other than employment

8 Attitudes and Perceptions on the Meaning of Work Extrinsic versus Intrinsic Value of Work/Employment – employers (and employment professionals) Greater focus on intrinsic benefits (work that is interesting, provides opportunity to use one’s abilities and initiative, sense of achievement, providing social interaction) Perspective based on societal and business concepts of “worker” in which person with disability can fulfill social, emotional, and physical needs, “as well as goals of self-sufficiency” – less emphasis on latter Societal and Business case – work helps the individual to become less dependent on public dole, provides access to underutilized resource, and promotes diversity in the workplace – to the point perhaps of making the individual another commodity to serve the bottom line, while helping to normalize them

9 Implications for MIG Outreach materials used to promote employment opportunities and competitive outcomes While promoting business case to engage the business community, do we use language that “reduces” the individual to a commodity? Do we place enough emphasis on meaningful and competitive employment outcomes (including living wage, comprehensive insurance, career ladders) when talking to employers – and when presenting to other community stakeholders, including consumers? When talking about community inclusion, are we maintaining necessary connection to meaningful/ competitive employment and quality of life progression

10 Implications for MIG Policy Implications When collaborating with agencies, divisions, providers, do we maintain “status quo” of performance indicators not based on living wages? While acknowledging the fact that not all want to work at more competitive levels, what about sheltered workshops? What practices or expectations exist for assessing progress in a sheltered workshop and readiness for more competitive employment?

11 Research and Study Need for additional research What particular meaning does work/employment hold for individuals with disabilities? Where does an intersection occur between “work ethic” culture and disability culture? Promising Practices of another program The Senior Community Service Employment Program (Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965) – provides subsidized, part-time, community service work based training for low-income persons age 55 or older who have poor employment prospects.

12 In Closing Then …

13 Are we successful in getting outside of the bowl while still focusing on the needs and desires of the consumer? Well, thank goodness we all made it out in time …. ’Course, now we’re all fish out of water

14 ? Questions ? If so, please raise your hand … Or your voice …

15 ACK!!