About APSE
The Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) is the only national membership organization focused exclusively on Employment First to facilitate the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace and community.
APSE members recognize that everyone has abilities to contribute and their work should be recognized and rewarded with fair pay, creating inclusive workplaces. Employment enriches and adds meaning to every life, and workplaces and communities are enhanced when they embrace differences.
What is Employment First?
Employment First means that employment in the general workforce should be the first and preferred option for individuals with disabilities receiving assistance from publicly-funded systems.
Simply put, Employment First means real jobs for real wages.
History
Read HERE about landmark moments of the Employment First movement from the last 30 years.
APSE is the National Voice for Employment First!
Our members are leaders in making inclusive workplaces, fair wages, and benefits, and the dignity of a job well done a reality for people with physical, mental health, intellectual, and developmental disabilities.
We will create fair wages and inclusive work opportunities for all people with disabilities through changes in policy and partnerships with employers.
APSE offers a range of memberships for individuals and organizations. Through membership, you gain timely information, tools, and support that help make you the strongest advocate possible.
Vision
All people with disabilities have competitive employment in an inclusive workforce.
Mission
To advance employment equity for people with disabilities.
Values
We believe that everyone can and should work, and have the dignity of determining their career path.
NATIONAL APSE'S GUIDING PRINCIPLES
APSE has and will always support equal rights and fair treatment in the workplace for everyone. We are, first and foremost, an organization working for #RealWorkRealPay for people with disabilities. Yet, we acknowledge tremendous diversity within the disability community and that our work needs to reflect this with intention. For this reason, APSE’s commitment to ensuring that all people are valued, have access to opportunity, and can fully participate in community life and employment has always been central to our mission and remains unwavering in our work and actions.
Developed by APSE’s Board of Directors, the following principles represent a stake-in-the-ground to guide our work. As we continue to learn and grow, we know that our language and actions will need to evolve continually. Therefore, we invite the Employment First Community to engage with us, challenge our thinking, and partner with us to do more and better.
- We will drive individual and organizational accountability and provide resources and tools, which will build the necessary capabilities to direct systemic change.
- We will listen and engage with our expanding community and foster a climate where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and empowered to bring their authentic whole selves.
- We will build in coalition and develop opportunities for historically excluded individuals, groups, and voices to be leaders in our work.
*Adapted from APSE’s National Board of Directors Declaration (January 18, 2022)
Financial Information
Click HERE for APSE's Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report (PDF)
To view the details of APSE’s historical finances, Go to Guidestar (external link).
