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COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT provides the worker regular supervision without the benefit of extensive follow-up. Workers with mild or moderate disabilities who enter competitive employment may initially require appropriate support services, but afterwards they will become capable of doing the job alone. Workers with disabilities can also maintain the job with minimal support from other workers or a human services agency.

Types of competitive jobs vary. Some entry-level jobs require little or no experience, and provide on-the-job training. Other jobs may require vocational training and preparation, and still others require intensive academic preparation and experience. Competitive employment is any position within the community that would require a high school diploma.

SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT is integrated work in competitive environments for individuals with disabilities who have never worked competitively, whose work history has been interrupted or intermittent because of a disability, or who, because of their disability, need ongoing support services to perform work. Supported employment offers persons with disabilities an opportunity to earn competitive wages in job sites in the community along with non-disabled co-workers. Ongoing support distinguishes supported employment from competitive employment.

Supported employment uses a place-train approach rather than a train-place approach. The individual is placed on the job and then provided with intense training on the job site in work skills and behavior. Although the student may need additional instruction in job-related skills such as transportation, most training is provided by job coaches. Supported employment is any position within the community that would require a high school diploma.

ENCLAVE is where workers are trained in a small group of 3-6 individuals with a direct supervisor. The enclave is conducted within a business setting alongside non-disabled workers.

MOBILE CLEANING CREW occurs when workers are trained in a small group of 2-4 individuals with a direct supervisor. The mobile work crew performs a variety of services as a team moving from business to business. Examples include: janitorial work, painting, groundskeeping.

SHELTERED EMPLOYMENT is a workshop for individuals who need continuous supervision and repetitive tasks. Individuals do tasks such as packaging, labeling, collating, or assembly and are paid on a piecework basis. The goal of sheltered employment is to give the individual specific training and experience to develop skills necessary for a lesser restrictive environment.

Written: 3/98

Revised: 5/01

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