What is Competitive Integrated Employment?

WHAT IS COMPETITIVE INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT?

    • Definition & Examples

  • The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and subsequent amendments, via legislation such as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), specifies the conditions and requirements of Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE).


DEFINING CIE?

  • CIE can be full-time or part-time work, including self-employment
  • CIE carries benchmarks related to compensation which ensure that individual pay discrepancies are not solely tied to one's disability status. Wages in CIE must be:
  • CIE must also include an individual with a disability maintaining the same eligibility for benefits and advancement as other similarly situated employees.
  • CIE can only occur in a location where the employee interacts with other persons (not including job coaches or other support personnel) who are not individuals with disabilities.

You can gauge the degree to which an opportunity meets the standard of CIE by assessing a number of factors but most of the time it is as simple as looking at the words themselves:

  • Competitive
  • Integrated


EXAMPLES

Here are a few examples which would not be defined as CIE:

Carl, driven by his passion for tools, was able to find employment at a local hardware store. During his interview Carl told the employer that because he had limited work experience, he would be willing to accept "anything" with regard to an hourly wage just so he could work with some of the tools. Carl was able to perform all duties of the identified job description and accepted a stocker positon at a rate of $10 per hour, no benefits. However, the employer typically pays individuals with no direct experience $14 per hour with access to paid time off for the stocker role.

    • This is "Integrated" as Carl's role is on the main floor of the store. He regularly speaks with customers about the type of tools they are interested in buying and offers suggestions on best brand and cost.
    • BUT
    • This not "Competitive" because Carl is being compensated less than similarly experienced others (disabled or not) for performance of a role. Therefore, this is not CIE.

  • Jane worked for several years in a warehouse, filling orders for a shipment company. Jane earned $11 per hour and had access to benefits but was bothered by the level of noise in the environment so she began looking for a different job. Jane and found an agency which offered a similar role in a sheltered workshop. The workshop was much quieter, but every employee was a person with a disability and her supervisor was a Direct Support Professional, tasked with the oversight of a small pod of pickers/packers. Based on a very abbreviated study of her productivity (on a day she didn't feel well and was a little sluggish), her rate of pay was determined to be $7.50 per hour. The agency held a Sub-minimum wage certificate.
    • This is not "Competitive" for several reasons. First, Jane's hourly wage was below the State minimum. Despite the agency's SMW certificate, competitive employment is, by law, to include wages not less than the (higher of) State, federal of local minimum wage.
    • However, even if Jane had her performance time studied on a "good" day, and her hourly rate set at or above minimum wage…...this is not "Integrated" because Jane rarely if ever interacted with anyone from the broader community in the execution of her duties - her only interactions were with other individuals with disabilities and a paid support worker (DSP).

  • Frank lives with 5 housemates in a CILA - He typically spends a few days a week at a nearby Community Day Services program. Prior to COVID-19, Frank worked on an assembly line, putting together plumbing parts. Upon his return to CDS, the assembly job was no longer available so he chose to take part in a variety of Life Enrichment activities. Frank found, through participation in a Fine Arts class, that he has an interest in sculpture. Because the CDS program did not offer anything beyond an introductory class, he was able to identify a studio near his home which exhibits various sculpted items and seemed open to having Frank help out around the studio space. With the assistance of his team, Frank was able to speak with the studio's curator and develop a relationship. Frank was offered the opportunity to arrange the studio space and set-up for showings, ensuring guests had a safe and positive experience in the gallery space by answering questions about the artists and pieces and collecting phone/email addresses from patrons upon their exit. Instead of direct compensation, Frank was allowed to utilize the studios creative space to work on sculpture for 4 hours per week.
    • Although certainly a wonderful story of connectedness to an "Integrated" setting, in which Frank leveraged his relationship and passion to develop an outlet for both creative expression and meaningful activity, this is not "Competitive". Rather it is a negotiated barter, which while benefiting both parties, would not be considered CIE.

  • Jim lives on his own in a condo. He receives intermittent support through an ICILA arrangement from a local provider. When his support staff visit, they always note how incredibly clean and organized the home is - Jim has shared how important it is for him to keep his home tidy and finds cleaning very relaxing, as long as he can listen to his favorite music while doing so. The support staff connected Jim to the agency's vocational services division who offered Jim a paid opportunity on their internal janitorial crew - working 25 hours per week providing custodial services to the provider agency's administrative building. The cleaning crew is comprised of other individuals with IDD who receive supports from the provider. Jim's payroll is processed under a special arrangement - the provider withholds taxes and provides a W-2 but Jim did not have to go through background checks and other onboarding processes such as new hire orientation and training. Jim does not have access to benefits (insurance, paid time off, 401K, etc.) that are available to other traditional agency employees but is paid $10 per hour, the State minimum wage.
    • This is neither "Competitive" nor "Integrated". Jim is not a full employee of the agency - he is considered a participant worker and paid under a budget line titled "Facility Based Employment". Although Jim's hourly wage meets the threshold for the State minimum and taxes are withheld, most custodial positions in the area offered a starting wage of $13 per hour. In addition to lacking access to benefits, Jim would be unable to claim Unemployment Insurance if her were to lose his role. From time to time, Jim interacts with some of the agency's administrative staff but his shifts are mostly independent or working with others who have a disability.

Here are a few examples which would be defined as CIE:

Allison has a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy which impacts her mobility and ability to verbally communicate. Allison has a passion for animals and, while not proficient, has a working understanding of Excel. She found work at a local veterinary clinic monitoring the online schedules of the various Veterinarians, support staff and volunteers. Although Allison has a customized role, that no one else at the clinic performs, the clinic found such value in her ability to decrease scheduling conflicts and maximize visitor efficiency that they offered her a part time role which pays $16 per hour. Allison's workstation is near the entrance of the clinic and although she cannot verbally greet visitors, she meets everyone with a smile and wave, using signage and gestures to direct visitors to the proper area.

    • This is "Competitive" because despite the fact Allison is the only employee performing her role, her wages are well above the State minimum wage.
    • This is "Integrated" because Allison regularly interacts with community members, disabled and not.

  • Ed loves the outdoors - he enjoys taking hikes, riding his bicycle through the nature paths near his home and birdwatching. Although Ed was worried about losing his Social Security benefits due to earned income, he wanted to work and earn money doing something he had a passion for. Ed struggled to find anything beyond sporadic volunteer opportunities through his local Park District. With the assistance of a Job Developer from a local social service provider, Ed was connected to a Forest Preservation agency who had a job posting for a "Forestry Worker". Despite being somewhat intimidated by the title, Ed came to learn more about the position qualifications and realized he met the criteria for consideration. The job entailed bi-weekly quality assurance that the nature paths were free of debris and hazard, checking to ensure the directional and safety signage was in good repair and visible, and making sure the entry to the preserve was stocked with the various brochures offered by the Forest Preservation division. Ed happily accepted the position at $12 per hour as it met his conditions of employment (part time with wages that would significantly impact his Social Security Income) while also matching his personal passions.
    • This is "Competitive", "Integrated" and most of all, well matched - a role Ed can perform for many years to come.