Section 14(c) National Online Dialogue Experiences transitioning from the use of Section 14(c) certificates

Our organization shuttered sheltered work (14c) services in 4 counties from 1999-2003. We continue to operate 3 manufacturing locations; however, we did not use 14c certificates. The process began with identifying the "fears" of individuals served, family/guardians, and our own team members. We found that often staff fears and staff convenience were dictating the choice to continue with sheltered work/14c services.... more »

I work for an agency who has a 14(c) certificate, and have worked here for over 20 years. We continue to provide innovative programming for individuals who require a higher level of care. High level of care being defined as, total dependence for all self-care activities, including being repositioning every two hours with a lift system. We offer paid work with our 14(c) certificate in the area of data entry, and packaging... more »

Although the chief objection to sheltered workshops is financial exploitation, wage-earning is not the primary purpose of many of these ventures. Importantly, workshop compensation typically represents just a small fraction of the benefits conferred on the disabled individual: the full support package may include Social Security Income (which can be reduced as wages increase), Medicaid-funded supports, in-home assistance,... more »

There are ways to help people with IDD Employement without using Sub minimum wage!

Idea 1. Promote early transition services and planning. Help students with IDD start process or job exploring early like their non disabled peers. Fund programs that get IDD youth jobs while in school like school to work. Spread awareness of such programs get so they offered in more counties.

Idea 2, support self employment and enterprepership.... more »

My 25 year old daughter is cognitively and developmentally disabled. That being said she is also beautiful, sociable and charming. Throughout High School and her 18-21 Transition program, she worked a variety of jobs including delivering mail to Sorority members, working at a retirement home, and stocking in a natural grocery store. While she "kind of" liked all these jobs, what she really wanted to do was spend her... more »

I served as CEO of a agency serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Community Link, for 28 years. The organization transitioned from providing sheltered work to group employment and competitive integrated employment (CIE) in the 90's because the people we served increasingly chose to move away from sheltered work and sub-minimum wage positions. People gained experience with real work for real... more »

My brother has a somewhat normal life thanks to workshop. He lives in a state institution and looks forward to getting on the bus every day with his lunchbox to go to work. With an IQ of 16 he doesn't accomplish a lot and he requires a tremendous amount of supervision to stay on task for even brief periods. Making a little money is just fine with him. If he had to be paid minimum wage the workshop would have to be closed.... more »

Seattle passed a law last year which eliminated the choice of working under a special certificate. None of those (there were 8 people) working wanted the law to pass but their voices were ignored -as were the comments and opinions of many other community members. Of those 8, 7 had their hours cut 20-40 percent (the only person who did not have hours cut only worked 6 hours a week) - so they made about the same amount... more »

I am a parent of a special needs child and an employer of special needs adults. My son is currently employed by a section C employer and gets a paycheck of roughly $1.25/hour. My wife and i personally do not care about how much he is getting paid because he is working hard and is with his peers. The place he works is clean and very well run and he enjoys working there. About 2 years ago another parent and i wanted... more »

B and D are two men with profound disabilities, who spent 25 years in a local workshop that "employed" 150 folks. They witnessed violent behavior daily and sometimes were victims of violence. D kept trying to leave his work line, so for several hours a day, he was put in a wheelchair. Both men wore attends, as staff weren't able to provide toileting assistance on an individual basis. They brought home an average... more »

My 32 year old ID daughter worked on the "contract floor" at Goodwill in CT. It was perfect for her; she made $6-7 per hour and worked about 20 hours of the 30 hours she attended while I worked full-time. The work would change now and then and she loved it. The contract floor was shut down 2 years ago. Now she spends her time in "job training" (she already had a job that she could do), volunteer jobs (working for no money),... more »

Ohio has come up with many alternatives to 14c as private providers have emerged from a system that was exclusive to County Boards of DD. People choose where they want to go, many left the 14c and many stayed. The biggest problem most 14c places will face is with the integration mandate of HCBS waivers. If people are against 14c because it is segregated, then they need to look at the fact many more people with dd are... more »

The entry below titled "My Daughter Used to Have a Job," says it all.

Sadly, the so-called "pro-choice" disability "advocates" - who know what is best for everyone - want to reduce choice by eliminating 14(c)?! Though they will say that is a false characterization, that is what it is, so let's call it what it is. Eliminating 14(c) will result in LESS work opportunities. Period. You don't need a fancy PhD to understand... more »

After finding employment for persons with disabilities for 15 years, I have more observations than answers. While I believe everyone can work, my experience shows many of them will only be physically or emotionally able to work very limited hours. Which leaves many hours unfulfilled. Unless funding for services to support fuller lives in the community increase, eliminating Section 14(c) certificate holders altogether... more »

Missouri isn't always first, but when it comes to employment opportunities for folks with a disability, the options are many. Having worked in the service end of things for over 40 years, I've witnessed alot of change for the better, but eliminating options shouldn't be one of them. I'm not advocating that sheltered employment should be for everyone, but by eliminating the 14(c) certificates, that's pretty much what... more »