JUL 2 1 2015 


Dear Governor: 

As we honor the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we celebrate 

the successes and accomplishments this landmark legislation made possible for millions of 

individuals with disabilities across our nation. We also recognize lhe need to press on in the 

unrelenting pursuit of innovative approaches and effective tools for breaking down barriers to the 

mainstream workforce for unemployed and under employed Americans, especially those with 

disabilities. 

Across our country, too many people with disabilities who want jobs are not able to find 

employment. In 2014, the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the 

jobless rate for Americans with disabilities was 12.5 percent, more than double the 

unemployment rate for people without disabilities at 5.9 percent. And worse, about eight in ten 

individuals with disabilities were not participating in the labor market in 2014, meaning they 

were not working or were not seeking employment. In comparison, just three in ten individuals 

without disabilities were not participating in the labor market. 

Against that backdrop, State governments are working to improve integrated employment 

opportunities and the economic advancement of the youth and adults with disabilities. As chief 

executives of their States, Governors have the responsibility to ensure that all citizens have the 

opportunity for productive employment. State leaders also are recognizing the need to advance 

employment opportunities for people with disabilities as a State priority and to incorporate it as 

part of their overall workforce development strategy. 

In recent years, a national movement referred to as Employment First has emerged to provide a 

framework to give people with significant disabilities the opportunity to launch careers in 

integrated settings earning at or above the minimum wage. This framework is centered on the 

premise that all citizens, including individuals with significant disabilities, are capable of full 

participation in competitive, integrated employment and in typical community life. This growing 

commitment at both the State and Federal level to the principles ofEmployment First is 

predicated on data that validates the capabilities of individuals with significant disabilities for 

performing competitive, integrated employment with the proper customization of supports and 

accommodations. In short - it's the right thing to do, it's the smart thing to do for 

taxpayers, and it makes good business sense. 

Our nation's Federal civil rights framework has influenced and accelerated State Employment 

First efforts by affirming that individuals with disabilities have the right to choose where to live 

and work, and to participate in integrated activities in their community-a critical component for 

citizens with disabilities in developing a full and meaningful life. 

Several Federal agencies have already applied the ADA principles outlined in the U.S. Supreme 

Court decision Olmstead v. LC to employment services. This reflects a consistent Federal 

approach in support of Employment First goals. And now, with implementation of the 

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) (Pub. L. No. 113-128), there exists an even 
greater opportunity for State governments to align their planning efforts and key systems, 

including workforce investment, vocational rehabilitation systems, partner systems, and WIOA 

implementation efforts to support Employment First. 

Many States have made notable progress in creating innovative, successful approaches to 

supporting both youth and adults in acquiring competitive, integrated employment opportunities 

by implementing seamless work-based learning strategies. 

Wisconsin is one of six states participating in the Promoting the Readiness of Minors in 

Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) initiative to support youth who receive 

Supplemental Security Income in meeting their school and work goals in order to improve their 

income levels and their financial stability. Wisconsin is 41 percent of the way to its goal of 

2,000 enroJlees by April 2016. 

Oregon's Employment First Initiative, one of the first in the country, was the catalyst for State 

agencies to work together in improving community job outcomes for people with intellectual and 

developmental disabilities. The goal of a new marketing campaign and website is to connect jobseekers with employers who need their skills, with the unifying message, "I Work, We Succeed." 

In January 2014, South Dakota announced the recommendations of its Employment Works Task 

Force for employing people with disabilities, including making the Department of Human 

Services a single point of contact to educate employers, provide technical assistance, and connect 

employers with qualified individuals with disabilities. "For too long some have seen employment 

of people with disabilities as a favor done with sympathy," Governor Dennis Daugaard said, ''but 

I agree with the Employment Works Task Force - that needs to end in South Dakota." 

We recognize that many States desire to further align their efforts to support individuals with 

disabilities toward an Employment First approach, and a number of resources and technical 

assistance efforts are available to help lead such change. For example, as part of a 2012-2013 

national initiative led by Governor Markell as its Chair, the National Governors Association 

(NGA) released the report, A Better Bottom Line: Employing People with Disabilities. This 

blueprint for Governors outlines key strategies that State governments can implement to increase 

competitive, integrated employment options for both youth and adults with disabilities. Those 

strategies include finding and supporting businesses in their efforts to employ people with 

disabilities, being a model employer by increasing the number of people with disabilities 

working in State government, and making the best use of limited resources, especially through 

the Federal government, to advance employment opportunities. 

Additionally, States are able to engage with other colleagues in the U.S. Department of Labor's 

Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program (EFSLMP). EFSLMP is a crossdisability, cross-systems initiative that provides high-impact technical assistance to State teams 

focused on aligning policies, coordinating resources, and transforming service delivery models to 

implement Employment First goals with fidelity and increased competitive, integrated 

employment options for youth and adults with the most significant disabilities. 

A number of additional technical resources are also available to help States to apply existing 

Federal policies, civil rights law, and resources to support their continued Employment First 
efforts on the lJ. S. Depat1ment of Labor's websi tc at 

http://www.dol.gov/o~...Ltopics/EmnioymentFirst.htm. Additionally, State government officials 

and external stakeholders interested in participating in the Department of Labor's National 

Employment First Community of Practice are encouraged to register at: 

http://www.econsys.com/efslmp/? subscribe. 

We remain committed to partnering with State governments to promote ongoing Employment 

First efforts whose endeavors are providing a clear path toward harmonizing publicly funded 

systems with current civil rights law to assure the full inclusion and advancement of individuals 

with disabilities in our nation's communities, the general workforce and the greater economic 

mainstream. We need the best of what every American has to offer. Americans with disabilities 

comprise a highly untapped resource of loyalty, ingenuity, and productivity. Employment First 

can help States connect these workers with employers to improve their businesses and our 

economy. 

Sincerely, 

(_··. .---..­

Thomas E. Perez 

Secretary 

U.S. Department of Labor 

~ ( ~ ~ 

Dennis Daugaard 

Governor 

State of South Dako1a 

Jack Markell 

Governor 

State of Delaware