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Dignified and meaningful employment
for people with disabilities
MASWM Conference Brings Full Agenda with Wide Range of Issues
Keynote speaker Amy Lutz, Ph.D., sounded the first note at the Margaritaville event. Talking by Zoom videoconference, she spoke about her 25-year-old son, Jonah, whom she described as profoundly autistic. He not only has difficulty communicating and can become violent, but suffers from several physical challenges as well.
One of the worst things she’s faced isn’t the reality of her son’s challenges, however. It’s the roadblocks she and other parents must confront from “well-meaning people” who spread myths about her son’s disabilities. As a historian of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Lutz brings rigorous discipline to the current environment. When someone makes a claim, she expects it to be backed up with reality, with data. That’s not what’s happening.
“I’ve been surprised at just how deranged the rhetoric is around 14(c) compared to what I found with research,” she said.
Lutz identified three myths around 14(c) programs and disabilities. These falsehoods are that 14(c) organizations financially exploit those with disabilities; no one would choose 14(c) programs if they had a choice; and everyone is capable of a minimum wage job with the proper supports.
She said the idea that people with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities can all hold competitive, community jobs is often rooted in another myth, the “intact mind.” That’s the idea that even a person with moderate or severe mental disabilities has a “normal” or even advanced intellect hidden somewhere inside.
“This is what the government assumes,” she said. “They assume 14(c) is the only obstacle to people getting community work. But if this were true, there would be a rush to community integrated employment, and there is not.”
Even in states which have forcefully closed their 14(c) programs, there is no proof that former employees found community employment to replace their workshop. The lack of data is itself an issue, but much of the information available shows the opposite. People forced out of 14(c) programs remain largely unemployed. Those that get some work find only part-time employment and are usually the first let go in a downturn. In Maine, which closed its workshops and related services in 2015, the average employment is only 12 hours a week.
Over 80 workshop representatives joined MASWM's April Conference at Margaritaville April 24-26. The event included several presentations on workshop issues, news and more, plus time for networking and this introduction of each member.
The meeting continued with over 85 workshop representatives, including Tom Miller from Stanberry with 48 years of service and Ginger Williams, Farmington with 40 years of service.
President Rob Libera noted the increasing criticism from 14(c) opponents and the many efforts by MASWM and others to combat the attacks. The efforts include Legislative Chair Kit Brewer’s many trips to Washington, D.C., taking MASWM communications to “the next level.” They also include the outstanding contributions by Missouri legislative consultant Lynne Schlosser and the association’s Advocacy Committee with Chair Heather Pugh, Mike McCaully, Natalie Couch, Charlie Fisher, Tim Poepsel, and parent advocate Leslie Powers
“We’ve gotten a lot done, but there’s more to do,” Libera noted. Other efforts include the MASWM Board of Directors monthly Zoom meetings, “DESE Dan” Gier’s efforts to promote and support the state’s workshops, and the association membership in the national Coalition for the Preservation of Employment Choice.
Libera said a significant need is for managers statewide to support these efforts. He challenged workshops to create publications like Heartland Industries’ “In Their Words,” which captured comments from employees with disabilities about their experiences in workshops. He also urged managers and staff to avoid hypothetical discussions with 14(c) opponents.
“You’ll hear that ‘they’ are against workshops,” Libera said. “Who’s ‘they?’ Stick to specific examples. And get them in the workshop so they can see for themselves.”
Daniel Stark, CIH, CSP, next talked about the Division of Labor Standards’ On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program that can assist small businesses like workshops in making workplaces safer while helping avoid costly penalties. Their services include mock inspections and alternatives to fines that offer a collaborative rather than combative process.
Stark cited physical issues like improper use of extension cords or unreplenished eye wash, but also human factors like rushing, fatigue or simply being preoccupied. “The physical environment is important, but so is the human factor,” he said.
After lunch, Dan Gier noted the unique foundation of workshops as small, non-profit businesses that choose to employ people with disabilities under Section 14(c). This status impacts everything from employee demographics to Sunshine Law requirements. And while workshops are small businesses, some with as few as 20-30 employees with disabilities, their economic impact in Missouri averages $277 million a year.
Although workshops have a major human services component employing and caring for people with disabilities, much of this is supported by entrepreneurial efforts that include original products and services. Big Springs Sheltered Workshop in Van Buren produces a minnow trap that will soon be available in Walmart stores. Scenic Rivers Sheltered Industries in Salem manufacturers a bird house that ranks highest in Better Homes and Gardens magazine. United Enterprise in Perryville provides its “doggy daycare,” an effort that employs 38 of the shop’s 60 employees. First aid kits, furniture refurbishing and other efforts are widespread.
“They’re thinking outside the box,” Gier said.
He also talked about several trends likely to impact workshops. One taking effect in July will require overtime payment for salaried personnel like managers and will likely impact over 41 percent of Missouri workshops. A petition is also being circulated that could be on the ballot in August and would impact paid leave requirements dramatically by requiring time off for every 30 hours worked.
Gier also presented an overview of workshops in Missouri. Among the notable statistics, employees range in age from 16 to 93. The 93-year-old hasn’t missed a workday in 20 years.
Great Support
Compass Health was among several sponsors who also presented at the conference. Katrina McDonald explained how Compass Health Network provides specialized services that can help people with disabilities. She is also a member of the BCI workshop board of directors.
Linda Wulf presented for H-J Family of Companies, a global leader in the manufacturing and supply of products and solutions to the heavy electrical industry. She shared the company’s history of connection with workshops, including Jeffco Subcontracting in Arnold. “It’s been a partnership in success,” she said.
Committee Chair Heather Pugh next discussed the effort to create the new Workshop Best Practices Manual. She noted the PDF document uses hyperlinks extensively to make navigating the 64-page document easy. Other committee members included Charlie Fischer, Dawn Cox, and Byron Myers. The manual was shared with all workshops via email and will be in the MASWM website’s resource library.
Geoff Shackelford recently conducted a survey of shops involved in recycling to determine what types of work they do, the prices they generally get and other details. He found that workshops receive wildly different prices for essentially the same products. He suggested improved communications through a recycling co-op to keep managers better informed. A co-op might also provide “strength in numbers” when soliciting prices, he said.
“If we don’t communicate with one another, how would we know that price difference?” he asked. “That’s one of the things I think we can benefit from by forming a recycling co-op.”
New Officers and Awards
Thursday night’s dinner featured swearing in of new officers and a new awards program.
The awards recognized seven recipients: Heather Pugh as Advocate of the Year; Bruce Young for the Legacy Award; Missouri Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe for the Legislator of the Year; Natalie Couch as Manager of the Year; Jason Auffert as New Manager of the Year; Ginger Williams for the President’s Award; and Vocational Services, Inc. as Workshop of the Year.
The swearing in of officers included new President Tim Poepsel of EMPAC Group and Vice President Lauren Hall of Southeast Enterprises. Treasurer Robert Greenwood from CASCO Area Workshop and Secretary Natalie Couch of Lake Area Industries were sworn in as returning officers.
SWIM, Advocacy
Friday’s events began with the annual meeting of Sheltered Workshop Insurance of Missouri (SWIM). SWIM Chair Ginger Williams opened and said the insurance collaboration this year will return $300,000 in premiums to participating workshops because of low losses. Another SWIM Board member, Lauren Hall, spoke about another major advantage that involves a nurse hotline, which offers free consultation after an injury, 24/7.
“I used that a couple of years ago,” Hall said, recalling how thankful the accident victim was. Other advantages include safety site visits that help identify potential problems so they don’t become accidents.
Advocacy Chair Heather Pugh reviewed several accomplishments, including the March Day for Choice and plans for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in October. She also cited efforts to ensure MASWM advocacy and legislative efforts are coordinated and plans for professional presentations to better communicate to different audiences. The latter includes the conference program conference published by Kimbal Mothershead and Vocational Services, as well as a professional magazine planned to spotlight every shop in Missouri.
State and National Efforts
Chair Kit Brewer outlined MASWM’s many legislative efforts in Jefferson City and Washington, D.C. Workshops have been attacked increasingly over issues like 14(c), and a major focus has been with the Coalition to Preserve Employment Choice, along with efforts in Missouri to ensure SB40 funding is utilized as required by state statute. Brewer said some of these issues could result in litigation, and the organization is preparing for that.
A related issue involves research to learn the fate of thousands of people with disabilities when 14(c) programs are terminated. Although that has happened in 17 states, little data is available on what occurs to workshop employees. Many 14(c) opponents argue that workshop employees can easily find community jobs with private businesses, but they never support that with verifiable records. Many others, including parents, see the opposite, especially with children dealing with more severe disabilities. Those closest to the situation say unemployment of people with disabilities could be as high as 90 percent. That means those with disabilities end up staying at home, with no continued training, no social stimulation or even friends.
Good Support
A positive note included the number of sponsorships that supported the conference. President Libera said these sponsorships help ensure funds for workshops to be offered one free hotel night to make conference attendance more affordable for participating shops.
“That allows us to lower the costs of events like this and sponsor shops who have room issues,” he said.
The members voted to hold the Fall Conference in Springfield, Sept. 29-Oct. 1.