Employment first initiatives

Employment First initiatives prioritize providing individuals with disabilities the opportunity to obtain competitive, integrated employment—meaning jobs with non-disabled coworkers and fair wages—early in their transition from education or other services. The goal is to treat employment as a primary and preferred outcome, emphasizing job prospects aligned with personal interests and skills. These initiatives aim to reduce reliance on sheltered workshops or segregated settings by promoting community-based employment, thereby enhancing independence, economic self-sufficiency, and social inclusion for people with disabilities.