Wendy Parent
Kansas University Center on
Developmental Disabilities
(785) 864-1062 wparent@ku.edu

 Competitive Employment
 In Integrated Businesses
 With Individualized Support
Basic idea behind both is:
 Knowing what the potential employee wants and needs
 Knowing what the employer wants and needs
 Supporting or negotiating any differences between the two

 Lived in an institution
 Spent ten years in a sheltered workshop
 Worked as a grocery store bagger and received supported employment services
 Currently owns Abercrombie
Arcade, a customized and supported self-employment venture

• Created Jobs
• Carved Jobs
• Resource Ownership
• Self-Employment
• Combination Employment

 Interested in working with kids, helping others, and writing books
 Active member of the community
 Author of a book “My Two Good
Feet”
 Habersham Public Schools expressed need and contributions
Gary would make, Habersham
Electric Co-op offered to fund a position with the schools
 Carved job as a Special Education
Aide for Habersham Public Schools

 Interested in becoming a paralegal
 Completed CASA Training (Court
Appointed Special Advocate)
 Assistive technology assessment and purchase of communication device
 Member of team had a connection with a judge
 Carved job with courts in judge’s office
 Friend on team offered to support education

 Interested in washing cars
 Resource ownership with small business, All Star Detailing
 ITA Purchases:
 Detailer
 Trailer
 Total ITA Expenditures = $6,153
 Natural Supports
 Transportation provided by business owner
 Co-workers provide training

 Brain & Spinal cord injury, attends segregated school program, has never worked.
 Loves animals, enjoys writing, wants to advocate for others
 Resource ownership with local MADD
Chapter and Humane Society
 ITA Expenditures:
 Communication System
 LCD Projector
 Assistive Technology Assessment,
Training, and Follow-up
 TOTAL ITA Expenditures: $9,200

 Self employed in laundry business
 Keep It Kleen
 Sterilizes towels for hair salons
 ITA Purchases:
 High-tech washer and dryer
 Magnetic advertising panels for delivery Jeep
 Business License
 Jeep Repair
 Total ITA expenditures - $4,200
 Thanks to Nancy Brooks-Lane & Doug
Crandell, Cobb County CSB, Georgia
(404) 833-1684, (404) 650-4334

 Lived life in an institution, attended segregated programs;
 Artist, writer, very interested in clothes and make-up;
 Self-employed as a freelance artist, advocate;
 Pastel & acrylic drawings, presentations;
 “We’re proud to have Linda’s studio in the city of Pine Lake. She has become a part of the community both for her joyful personality and poignant artwork.” Mayor,
Pine Lake, GA.

 Dream Job – Video Recording
 Resource Ownership/Created Job
 Manages Glow Bowl segment within Rose
Lane Bowling Alley
 ITA Purchases:
 Video Systems
 Dance Revolution game
 Total ITA Expenditures = $17,000
 Outcomes
 12 hours per week
 ½ the profits of the Glow Bowl which average
$100 - $150 per week
 Receives 100% of revenues from the Dance
Machine, which are being reinvested for additional machines

 Interested in books, magazines and reading
 Resource Ownership / Self-Employment
 Java Hut / Crystal’s Book Nook
 ITA Purchases:
 Magazine Racks
 Books
 Magazines
 Total ITA expenditures - $2,114
 Natural Supports
 Friend who manages books
 Coffee shop owner rings up Crystal’s sales on his register for a small administration fee
 Co-workers provide assistance on the job

• Organize
– Invite participants
– Schedule initial meeting
• Energize
– Attitude of optimism; employment as the intended outcome
– Guided by an individual’s passion; made a reality by the creative energy & resources of the group

* Individualize
- Employment plan translates the team’s work into action steps with timelines, persons responsible, and expected outcomes; provides a blue print
- Leverage creative funding and support resources
* Materialize
- Follow-up meeting; additional participants with specific expertise; brainstorming and discussion; accountability
- Shared contributions of the group; collaborative effort
- Employment situation becomes clearer; ideas emerge
- Facilitator oversees implementation of the plan

• Offers us a different way of thinking about employment
• Doesn’t depend on knowing it all or solving all the problems facing transition and employment services
• Shares responsibility and builds on expertise and contributions of all
• Relies on disability, generic, and natural support resources
• Taps into new and different funding sources
• Leads to nontraditional, creative employment outcomes
• Provides opportunities for individuals to be in the drivers seat
• Expands options, particularly to those with limited or none
• By passes many of the issues impacting service delivery systems

 Dream Job: Related to Music
 ITA Purchases:
 Sound Equipment
 Assistive technology
 Computer
 Consultant with a music mentor
 Total ITA Expenditures = $5,939
 Self Employment
 Anticipated monthly business costs =
$75.00
 Anticipated monthly revenue = $1,680
(first four months)

Supporting or Negotiating: What the Employer Wants and Needs
 Charles brought a stereo and recording equipment to the owner of The
Wandering Mug Coffee Shop and presented a self employment venture.
 Owner offered his shop as a recording studio and did not charge a fee.
 Coffee Shops business increased as customers came to listen to music.
 The musical act got exposure and did not have to pay the costs of a typical recording studio.
 The Music Man had a regular venue for recording requiring no upkeep on his part.
 Charles edited and created a finished product to sell to the musical acts
 It is expected that Charles will expand to record musical acts in other local venues.

 Member of team had a friend who owned a coffee shop that occasionally brought in musical entertainment
 Another member knew of a professional consultant in the music industry
 Received training from employer on music and audio equipment
 Father offered to provide job coach support and manage the business
 Knew acquaintance with local college student union who could link with student musicians
 Friends at church willing to share music resources and recording opportunities
 Employer marketed to others in the music industry
 Team identified leads for other business sponsors

• Someone take the lead
• Arrange initial team meeting
• Individual’s passion sparks ideas
• Enthusiasm fosters creativity/productivity
• Assign homework
• Develop a blue print
• Explore and share among the team
• Meet again, review, revise, and get specific

• Establish plan with action steps, persons responsible, expected outcomes, and timelines
• Target alternative funding and support resources
• Decide on business arrangement (contact specific employers or develop a business plan)
• Complete a functional assessment (Consumer Situational
Assessment Summary Form)
• Conduct a job analysis
• Finalize the competitive employment outcome
• Make any negotiations and/or support arrangements
• Put an on-going support system in place (On-Going
Support Plan)