[nfbmi-talk] Fw: employment first eo

[David Robinson]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: joe harcz Comcast 
To: terry Eagle 
Cc: David Robinson NFB MI ; Mark Eagle 
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2016 6:08 AM
Subject: employment first eo


Look at the part where this is vested with MCRS, the cMARO run (including Tomlinson), Statewide Rehab. Council, which is a total rubber stamp. And then look at part f which maintains the status quo in accepting subminimum wage and shelterred work. Both the exact opposite of employment first. This whole order was really written by the likes of MARO and Tomlinson of Peckham and in fact both were present at the signing. It was a response in part for all the work we and folks like Elenor have done and continue to do including the September 17 protest. In fact it was because we opposed the likes of Peckham and MARO that the dogs were unleashed on us.

Here is the EO from pdf:
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