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Maine's CHOICES CEO Project

Expanding Opportunities for Workers with Disabilities

Employment First and For All: Welcome to the Big Tent

APSE conference logo imageOctober 27, 2010
Augusta Civic Center
Augusta, Maine

Over 90 participants attended this conference hosted by Maine APSE, and co-sponsored by 13 other Maine service and advocacy organizations. A complete listing of co-sponsor names and logos can be viewed here.

The conference opened with a keynote address by Laura Owens, APSE President, titled “State of the State:  Employment First across the Nation.”  Laura spoke about the importance of clear policies and practices related to employment first and integrated employment.

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"The reason why employment is so important is because as you know it defines who we are, what we can become, and it defines how we will lead our own lives because we started in a job, then built our careers, then hopefully we move to retirement.  And that's what employment is all about.  When you get introduced, the first thing somebody asks you is what you do for a living.  People with disabilities want the same opportunity to say, like my friend Jenny who happens to have Down syndrome, "I work in a law firm."  Really, you work in a law firm?  She does and is wonderful at it and has built her career in the law firm."

Laura also identified some key Employment First strategies and approaches, including:

  • Supporting and building on local efforts with the establishment of community action teams;
  • Engaging businesses and schools in efforts;
  • Clarifying assumptions and establishing a shared definition of employment;
  • Emphasizing systems change through policy development and resource allocation;
  • Promoting strength-based practices such as customized and supported employment; and
  • Measuring, evaluating and communicating outcomes and progress.

Many of these approaches have been at least started in Maine, but there is much to be done to realize maximum integrated employment for individuals with disabilities here in this state.

The keynote address was followed by a brief presentation titled “A View from the MIGs (Medicaid Infrastructure Grants),” by Sara Salley from the National Coalition for Health Systems Development (NCHSD). Sara cited several themes that have been a key part of MIG-supported efforts in many states, including Maine:

  • Employment is vital part of community integration and a pathway to financial independence.
  • Employment must be integrated and competitive.
  • Employment is a goal for everyone regardless of disability type or programmatic silo.

Following lunch a plenary panel was held, entitled "Story Telling and facilitated Action Planning." Five speakers related the importance of employment and disability in their personal and working lives. Speakers included:

Eric showed two videos of local media coverage of his business, one covering the opening of his business, and then a follow-up story

The conference ended with "Action Planning and Next Steps," which facilitated more small group work. Each small group was encouraged to pick a theme for a "bold move, " that is some type of "dream statement," and what action moves could help move toward that bold outcome. Also, how can Maine APSE and other organizations help in the movement toward that bold outcome?

More information on the “bold moves” and action steps identified at the conference will be posted on the Maine APSE web site.

Attendees were very enthusiastic in their evaluations of the conference, with comments such as:

  • “Interesting conversations - good chance to ask questions and share ideas.”
  • “Wonderful, informative and applicable actross the board. Thank You!"
  • "Laura Owens did a nice job of facilitating a conversation of what changes need to occur in Maine in regard to employment of individuals with disabilities"
  • "Very Interesting, Informative. [I'm] more inspired to follow through effectively.”

Download an agenda here (MS Word format).

Pictures from the Conference

Click on the thumbnails for a larger view.

Laura Owens of APSE giving keynote address

A good turnout for the conference

Some of the many exhibit tables
at the conference

Laura Owens engaging the crowd during the Community Conversations on Employment and Disability

Debbie Gilmer, APSE Maine president,
addressing the conference

Gail Fanjoy of KFI introducing the speakers on the afternoon Story Telling panel

The afternoon Story Telling panel

Sara Squires, DRCME, on the
afternoon Story Telling panel

Gail Fanjoy of KFI and Merritt Carey of Graffam Solutions on the afternoon Story Telling panel

Gail Fanjoy presents at the
afternoon Story Telling panel

Paul Tabor works hard at his graphic illustration
of the afternoon Story Telling panel

Another view of Paul Tabor and his graphic illustration of the afternoon Story Telling panel