Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Dinniman hearing on jobs for disabled
State Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-19, held committtee hearing in Thorndale focusing on job training for disabled.
The state Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing Thursday on vocational and job training opportunities for people with disabilities.
State Sen. Andrew Dinniman, D-19, of West Whiteland, said the hearing had input from local participants, advocates and providers on the changes to Community Participation Support services to show how some of these program changes could impact people with disabilities to obtain fulfilling jobs, as well as improving existing programs.
Dinniman said the hearing, held at Handi-Crafters Inc., an employment and disability-focused support service programs, showed how important these workshops and vocational programs are for people with disabilities and their families.
Amy Rice, executive director of Handi-Crafters Inc., said Handi-Crafters helps individuals to find job opportunities, practice job interviews, write their own resumes and learn about job etiquette.
“In many cases, the paycheck received from Handi-Crafters is the first paycheck individuals have ever received,” Rice said. “Sometimes, it isn’t about how much the check is, it’s the importance of getting the check, working for the check and being part of the workforce in the community.”
Kathleen Cronin has a 27-year-old son named Zach who works three days a week at Handi-Crafters and likes being challenged to learn new skills. She described Handi-Crafters as a “safe environment” where Zach can work and be accepted.
“We are blessed and honored to have a workplace like Handi-Crafters,” Cronin said. Without it, as a family, we’d be lost.”
Dinniman and Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-Northampton/ Lehigh, who chairs the committee, led the discussion.
“We all want to give people with disabilities training and access to good and fulfilling jobs,” Boscola said. “If it takes sheltered workshops, training opportunities, and specialized accommodations, then so be it. Providing opportunities for inclusiveness in the workplace benefits all of us, and we should do everything we can to encourage that.”
The state Department of Human Resources’ Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) recently revised proposed changes to its Community Services Support services. While advocates said the changes provide choice and flexibility for people with disabilities, they said they are concerned if the changes would limit sheltered workshops and limit those with disabilities from training and existing job opportunities.
A sheltered workshop is defined as a supervised workplace for physically disabled or mentally handicapped adults, the senators explained.
Some of the current proposed changes would require, with certain exceptions, that 25 percent of the client’s time is spent in the community; calculate time in the community on a monthly basis; limit size of existing facility to 150 participants by 2019; and mandate certain staff qualifications.
Richard Edley, president and CEO of Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association (RCPA), said more can be done to promote competitive-integrated employment. However, he had concerns about the limits and restrictions that ODP has set to impose on in-facility community services.
Nancy Thaler, deputy secretary at the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ Office of Developmental Programs, explained that the changes were proposed to ensure that more individuals engage in community activities and to receive federal funds to maintain services. It stirred a great deal of opposition, Thaler said. She said the state listened to families and providers to hear their concerns.
“The outcome is a revised proposal that achieves the guarantee to make it possible for each person to participate in the community, while leaving the decision of whether or not to participate in the community, and what type of and amount of activity they will engage in, with the person,” Thaler said. “Each person is unique and their hopes and dreams are unique. (The state) wants to make sure that our services do not place unnecessary limits on their hopes and dreams and how they choose to live their lives, but instead make them possible.”
Aaron Muderick, CEO of Crazy Aaron’s Putty World in Narberth, said Handi Crafters employees package his company’s products and the type of work allows everyone to participate despite any limit to someone’s functional ability.
He said that it is difficult to set standards for employees in manufacturing companies where time and speed are essential for all employees to reach the same productivity level to create a sense of community, when others may be under the requirement.
Cynthia McCurdy’s daughter Katie worked at a diner. She wanted her child to find a workplace where she can be accepted, but said that is not always the case. McCurdy said that parents want their children to be among other people like them, but to also be safe in the community at work or at other involvements.
McCurdy suggested that training should be offered to managers and employers to help them handle certain interactions. She said, for example, that Katie had a certain way that she put napkins in the holder, and a manager attempted to change that. Katie did not want to change her method after the seven years she worked there. She said that some people “cannot understand or accept the everyday challenges of someone with an intellectual disability.”
She said that their children are vulnerable and parents worry about their safety and well-being.
“No environment is perfect and without risk,” McCurdy said. “But as parents … knowing that Katie is happy doing meaningful work in a safe environment, means everything.”