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Workshop Employees, Supporters Pack Missouri Capitol for Day of Choice

Nearly 200 employees of Missouri workshops and their supporters were in the Missouri Capitol Building for the 2023 Day of Choice event March 21. Wearing their bright green T-shirts and carrying their message to state leaders, the group clearly enjoyed themselves and delivered a powerful message.

A highlight of the day was filing into the Missouri House balcony and being recognized before the state’s 163 representatives. The group also networked on the third floor rotunda and visited several legislators in their offices.

The event targeted the importance of workshop options for people with developmental disabilities. By offering safe and supervised employment, even for those with severe disabilities, workshops provide a critical option for these hard-working Missourians while helping them find important social outlets and friendships.

Although workshops operate community integrated employment, they know many, even most of the nearly 5,000 Missourians employed at workshops would not find competitive employment a good fit. Multiple higher demands and threats like bullying are among the negative impacts. Those that do find a competitive job are secure in the knowledge that the workshop is there should their experience with a private business not work a widespread experience.

Missouri’s nearly 90 workshops also adapt to a huge range of conditions, including rural areas with few private jobs of any kind. They succeed with entrepreneurial savvy, operating thrift shops or manufacturing original products, creating jobs, and helping their communities.Carrying these and other messages to Missouri leaders is a primary goal for Day of Choice, but it’s also one of the most enjoyable events involving workshops all year. Wearing green T-shirts, A-Team members and supporters

March is also national Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a time remember that workshops were founded more than 60 years ago. Often led by parents and guardians, these efforts were driven by the need to provide safe employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. Before workshops, hundreds, even thousands of these Missourians spent their days at home with little to do besides watching television. Learning work and social skills was impossible.

Workshops changed all that and more. Not only were proud workers able to learn new skills and earn a paycheck, but they also frequently found new friends and developed social networks beyond anyone’s expectation. For employees looking for employment in the community, workshops provide a great training platform and a safety net if things don’t work out.

Missouri’s Day of Choice was organized by Missouri A-Team with support from MASWM’s Advocacy Committee led by Heather Pugh.