Hosted by Candace Cunningham, Candace’s Corner podcast series invites leaders across our state to talk about key issues affecting the disability community.
This season, Candace explores the history of the developmental disabilities system in Missouri.
Episode Details
In episode eight, Candace talks with Duane Shumate. Shumate is the Owner and Managing Partner of Elevations Consultation LLC. He works with states, providers, and organizations to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities.
Shumate has worked in the disability field for more than 30 years. He spent many years working for the Missouri Department of Mental Health, Division of Developmental Disabilities. In that role, he helped lead statewide employment efforts and supported policies that promote real jobs for real pay.
He helped move Missouri toward the idea that employment is not just a program, but a civil right for people with disabilities.
Discussion Topics
- The history of disability employment in Missouri
- Changed from sheltered workshops to community jobs
- Employment First and systems change
- Barriers people still face today
- Best practices for supporting employment
- Success stories from organizations making change
- What needs to happen next
Glossary and Resources From this Episode
Definitions
- Competitive Integrated Employment — Jobs where people with disabilities work alongside people without disabilities and earn fair pay.
- Continuum of Services — A continuum is a range of services and supports that meet different needs. Example of supports on a continuum include:
- Natural supports like family and friends
- Community programs
- In-home supports
- Employment services
- Residential services
- Employment First — a belief that people with disabilities should have the opportunity to work in competitive, integrated jobs in the community.
- Home and Community Based Services Waivers — programs that help people with disabilities receive services in their homes and communities instead of intuitions. Services may include:
- Personal care assistance
- Employment supports
- Transportation
- Respite care
- Day services
- Assistive technology
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) — a federal law that helps children and youth with disabilities receive special education services.
- Order of Selection — a type of waiting list used by vocational rehabilitation programs when they cannot serve everyone right away.
- The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal law that protects the rights of people with disabilities. It helps make sure people with disabilities:
- Get services to help them work
- Participate in programs that receive federal funding
- Have equal access to education, employment, and services
- Cannot be discriminated against from organizations that receive federal money (Section 504)
- Supported Employment Grant Programs — in the 1980s, the federal government gave money to states, including Missouri. This helped people move from sheltered workshops to jobs in the community.
- Waiting List — when more people need services than there is funding available, they get added to a waiting list. The process looks like:
- A person qualifies for services
- Services are not available right away
- The person waits until funding becomes available
Resources Mentioned
- Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) is a national leader in advocating for real jobs and real wages. Missouri leaders played major roles in this movement.
- Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities get services and supports. This can include help with daily living, jobs and living in the community.
- Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and National Employment Networks provide national leadership, data, and technical assistance on disability employment. Missouri took part in projects supported by ODEP to improve job systems.
- State Employment Leadership Network (SELN) is a place for states to connect and create cross-community support for employment-related issues. Missouri joined SELN to strengthen Employment First efforts. SELN helped align policy, funding, and practice statewide
The WeSaid at the UCEDD is a Training and Technical Assistance Center that gives people with developmental disabilities opportunities to speak up, lead and teach others.
