[nfbmi-talk] Fw: the new exec order

David Robinson drob1946 at gmail.com
Thu Nov 19 20:02:35 UTC 2015


----- Original Message ----- 
From: joe harcz Comcast 
To: terry Eagle 
Cc: Mark Eagle ; David Robinson NFB MI 
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2015 6:59 AM
Subject: the new exec order


RICK SNYDER 
GOVERNOR 
STATE OF MICHIGAN 
EXECUTIVE OFFICE 
LANSING 
EXECUTIVE ORDER 
No. 2015 -15 
EMPLOYMENT FIRST IN MICHIGAN 
WHEREAS, Section 1 of Article V of the Michigan Constitution vests the 
executive power of the state of Michigan in the Governor; and 
BRIAN CALLEY 
LT. GOVERNOR 
WHEREAS, the state of Michigan recognizes that an individual's employment 
and work result in tangible and intangible benefits, including the enhancement of 
independence and economic self-sufficiency, as well as purpose, dignity, self-esteem, 
and a sense of accomplishment and pride; and 
WHEREAS, an individual's employment and work also promote inclusion in other 
community activities; and 
WHEREAS, the state of Michigan recognizes that a diverse workforce enriches 
local communities and enhances economic development; and 
WHEREAS, the state of Michigan recognizes that competitive employment within 
an integrated setting is the first priority and optimal outcome for persons with disabilities, 
regardless of level or type of disability; and 
WHEREAS, the state of Michigan recognizes intermediate steps and services 
may be needed to assist persons with disabilities along the path to the optimal outcome 
or to honor the choices and goals of the individual; and 
WHEREAS, the mission of Employment First in Michigan is to establish the 
expectation and promote opportunities for all working-age individuals with disabilities in 
Michigan to gain competitive employment within an integrated setting, with or without 
supports, and to engage businesses and organizations that value the contributions of 
employees with disabilities; and 
WHEREAS, the state of Michigan will promote the dignity, self-esteem, and 
economic self-sufficiency of working-age individuals with disabilities by providing access 
to meaningful and productive paid employment; 
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Brian Calley, Governor of the state of Michigan, by virtue 
of the powers and authority vested in the Governor by the Michigan Constitution of 1963 
and Michigan law, order the following: 
GEORGE W. ROMNEY BUILDING • 111 SOUTH CAPITOL AVENUE • LANSING, MICHIGAN 48909 
www.michfgan.gov 
I. IMPLEMENTATION OF EMPLOYMENT FIRST 
A. All state departments and agencies that provide services and support to 
persons with disabilities, and all state departments and agencies that provide 
employment, economic development, or other related services, shall implement 
Employment First in Michigan by coordinating efforts and collaborating to ensure that 
state programs, policies, procedures, and funding support competitive employment 
within an integrated setting as the first priority and optimal outcome for persons with 
disabilities. 
B. All state agencies shall, whenever feasible, share data and information 
across systems in order to track progress toward full implementation of this Order. 
C. All state agencies are encouraged to adopt measurable goals and 
objectives to promote assessment of progress in implementing this Order. 
D. Oversight for implementation of this Order shall be placed within the State 
Rehabilitation Council as established under Executive Order 2012-15, MCL 445.2033, 
and pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 701, et. seq. 
E. Nothing in this Order shall be construed to limit or disallow any disability 
benefits to which a person with a disability who is unable to be employed as 
contemplated by this Order would otherwise be entitled. 
F. Nothing in this Order should be construed to limit the ability of a person 
with a disability to select an employment option that they determine to be the best 
choice for themselves. 
G. Nothing in this Order shall be construed to require any employer to give 
preference to hiring persons with disabilities. 
H. Nothing in this Order shall be construed to grant any individual or entity a 
judicially enforceable right or cause of action. 
I. If the terms of this Order are inconsistent with federal law or regulations 
governing interpretation, definitions, etc., an agency or department may modify its 
programs, policies, procedures, and funding support as necessary to comply with 
federal requirements. 
J. The invalidity of any portion of this Order shall not affect the validity of the 
remainder of the Order, which may be given effect without any invalid portion. Any 
portion of this Order found invalid by a court or other entity with proper jurisdiction shall 
be severable from the remaining portions of this Order. 
2 
II. DEFINITIONS 
For purposes of the implementation of this Order, the following definitions apply: 
A. "Employment First" is a national movement affirming the philosophy that 
competitive employment in an integrated setting is the first priority and optimal outcome 
in the provision of services for persons with disabilities. 
B. "Employment" means a job available in the general workforce and in which 
the employee is included on the payroll of the business, industry, community 
rehabilitation organization or staffing agency, or is a self-employed business owner. 
C. "Disability" means, with respect to an individual: 
• A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major 
life activities of such individual; 
• A record of such an impairment; or 
• Being regarded as having such impairment. 
D. "Integrated setting" means: 
• With respect to the provision of services, means a setting typically found in 
the community in which applicants or eligible individuals interact with nondisabled 
individuals other than non-disabled individuals who are providing 
services to those applicants or eligible individuals; and 
• With respect to an employment outcome, means a setting typically found 
in the community in which applicants or eligible individuals interact with 
non-disabled individuals, other than non-disabled individuals who are 
providing services to those applicants or eligible individuals, to the same 
extent that non-disabled individuals in comparable positions interact with 
other persons. 
E. "Competitive employment" means: 
• In the competitive labor market that is performed on a full-time or part-time 
basis in an integrated setting; and 
• For which an individual is compensated at or above the minimum wage, 
but not less than the customary wage and level of benefits paid by the 
employer for that or similar work performed by individuals who are not 
disabled. 
F. "Intermediate steps and services" may include, but are not limited to, 
facility-based programs, internships, and job training programs. 
3 
This Order shall become effective upon filing. 
4 
Given under my hand and the Great 
Seal of the state of~chigane 
)'3-\\__ day of """"~"' S:-
in the Year of our Lord Two Thousand 
Fifteen 
;::1 e_
,:/:~~~ '~ 
BRIAN CALLEY J== 
GOVERNOR -Acting 
BY THE GOVERNOR: 
FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE 
ON \\}i~/tt; AT /'16ifpr 



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