1. Community-Integrated
Employment for People with
Developmental Disabilities
Leaders for Ozaukee’s Next Generation
Session 3: Diversity
November 14, 2012
Joshua Ryf
Communications Director
Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities

2. Community-Integrated
Employment
What is BPDD?
The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental
Disabilities (BPDD) was established to advocate on
behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities,
foster welcoming and inclusive communities, and
improve the disability service system.

3. Community-Integrated
Employment
What is a developmental disability?
Under Wisconsin State Law, a developmental
disability is defined as a list of conditions. The
condition must be severe and permanent.
The federal definition is based on the level of
need, not the underlying condition. Under
federal law, a developmental disability is a
severe, chronic disability caused by a mental or
physical impairment, or both.

4. Community-Integrated
Employment
2012-2016 State Plan
BPDD’s current State Plan focuses on:
1. Self-Determination
2. Self-Advocacy
3. Employment

5. Community-Integrated
Employment
Self-Determination
People of all ages make choices about their lives,
and are actively engaged in planning their
services and supports.

6. Community-Integrated
Employment
Self-Advocacy
People with developmental disabilities and their
families will be effective advocates and leaders
resulting in systems change on issues they feel
are most important to them.

7. Community-Integrated
Employment
Employment
People with developmental disabilities will be
employed in integrated jobs of their choosing in
the community.
People with developmental disabilities will also
be paid a competitive wage.

8. Community-Integrated
Employment
Other Important Topics
Transportation
Education
Voting
Long-Term Care
Medicaid
Dental Care
Transition

9. Community-Integrated
Employment
People First Language
People First Language is an objective and
respectful way to speak about people with
disabilities by emphasizing the person first,
rather than the disability.

10. Community-Integrated
Employment
Community-Integrated Employment
Community-integrated employment refers to
working for a competitive wage in a community-
based job.
The employment must be in a work setting
where, to the greatest extent possible, the
employment typically involves interaction with
co-workers and business associates who do not
have disabilities and/or the general public.

11. Community-Integrated
Employment
Why is Employment an Issue?
As of 2011, only 8% of working-age participants
(age 18-64) in Wisconsin’s long-term care system
had integrated employment.
When people with disabilities are not are
unemployed, they are at risk of being: kept in
perpetual poverty; less healthy; less included in
the community; etc.

12. Community-Integrated
Employment
Employment for Youth with Disabilities
Youth with disabilities are often overlooked and
underemployed in Wisconsin.
When a youth with a disability gets work
experience in high school, the likelihood of them
getting paid employment after high school
increases.

13. Community-Integrated
Employment
Why Hire a Person with a Disability?
People with disabilities are hardworking,
dedicated team members who want to work.
When people with disabilities are included in
community-integrated jobs, everyone benefits.
When people with disabilities are employed, they
contribute to Wisconsin’s economy and use fewer
tax-funded public services.

14. Community-Integrated
Employment
Grafton PSA

15. Community-Integrated
Employment
Holmen PSA

16. Community-Integrated
Employment
How Do Businesses Hire People with
Disabilities?
Supports are available to help the person learn
the job.
Youth: Get in touch with a high school’s transition
coordinator or special education department
(e.g. Patty Brestrich, Grafton High School, 262-
376-5611)
Adults: Contact DVR’s Ozaukee County Workforce
Development Center (262-238-2880)

17. Community-Integrated
Employment
For more information, contact:
Joshua Ryf at (608) 261-7829 or
joshua.ryf@wisconsin.gov
or go to www.wi-bpdd.org.

18. Community-Integrated
Employment
Thank You!