Article
What is competitive integrated employment?
Competitive, integrated employment offers the same level of benefits, salary, support and opportunities to all employees with comparable experience, skills and education – whether or not they have disabilities.
Competitive integrated employment is work that:
- Is paid at or above minimum wage.
- Pays comparable wages to employees with and without disabilities, when they are doing similar work.
- Offers the same level of benefits to employees with and without disabilities.
- Is at a location where employees with disabilities interact with individuals without disabilities.
- Provides opportunities for advancement similar to other employees without disabilities in similar positions.
Because people with disabilities who are seeking competitive employment are, by definition, competing for the same roles as job seekers without disabilities, it is essential that their experience, skills and education are comparable to people without disabilities.
Spotlight on Samuel van der Swaagh, Perkins Employment Program alumni
Hear Sam tell his employment story and share tips that helped him land his first job.
Read on for tips and resources to help graduates land their first job:
- Breaking the job search cycle by prioritizing accessibility
- Career readiness tips for people with visual impairment
- Navigating the disability employment gap: Inside info from a visually impaired job coach
- Keys for a successful internship
- Assistive technology in the workplace
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