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Employment First

Policy & Advocacy Resources

APSE has pulled together a terrific collection of reliable resources that can help you learn more about and advocate for Employment First.

Please be in touch with any questions or suggestions. Write to us at info@apse.org.

Additional Resources

Real Work for Real Pay: A Self Advocate's Guide to Employment Policy Published by the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, this plain language and easy-read guide to Employment First is essential for everyone.

Civic Engagement Toolbox for Self-Advocates From our colleagues at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, this is a plain language resource for better understanding the law-making process, contacting your elected officials, and creating your message.

Self Advocate's Statement on the Importance of Employment First Published by SABE - Green Mountain Self Advocates.

NASDDDS Report: Employment First - A Review of Successful State Strategies for Improving Employment Outcomes Among People with Disabilities. August 2013 report (national in scope) prepared by the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services.

NGA Report: A Better Bottom Line. Employing People with Disabilities - A Blueprint for Governors. 2013 report from the National Governors Association that notes Employment First as an effective strategy and documents the adoption of it by a number of states.

ODEP/USDOL. Information on the US Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy.

The State Employment Leadership Network (SELN) is a joint initiative of NASDDDS and the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston. SELN supports states to improve integrated employment outcomes and has developed a comprehensive listing of documents as a resource for policymakers, advocates and researchers.

The Campaign for Disability Employment (CDE) offers several turnkey communications resources.