Advisory Committee on Increasing Competitive 

Integrated Employment for Individuals with Disabilities

(ACICIEID)

Minutes from Ninth Meeting

July 20 - 21, 2016

The ninth meeting of the Advisory Committee on Increasing Competitive Integrated 

Employment for Individuals with Disabilities (“ACICIEID” or “the Committee”) was called to 

order by ACICIEID Chairman David Mank at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

The meeting took place at the United States Access Board, 1331 F St N.W., Suite 800,

Washington, DC 20004-1111.

The following members were present:

Self-advocates for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities:

 Patrick Hendry, Mental Health America

 Karen McCulloh, McCulloh and Associates

 Santa Perez, People First of Nevada 

Providers of employment services, including those who employ individuals with intellectual or 

developmental disabilities in competitive integrated employment:

 Christine McMahon, Fedcap

Representatives of national disability advocacy organizations for adults with intellectual or 

developmental disabilities: 

 Ruby Moore, National Disability Rights Network 

 Ari Ne’eman, Autistic Self Advocacy Network

 Alison Barkoff, the Center for Public Representation (by phone the afternoon of Day 1, 

in-person Day 2)

Experts with a background in academia or research and expertise in employment and wage 

policy issues for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities:

 David Mank, Indiana Institute on Disability 

Community representatives from the employer community or national employer organizations:

 Oswald (Oz) Mondejar, Partners Continuing Care

 Jim Brett, The New England Council (in-person Day 1)

 Steve Pemberton, Walgreens
Other individuals or representatives of organizations with expertise on increasing opportunities 

for competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities:

 Cesilee Coulson, Washington Initiative for Supported Employment

 Sharyn Hancock, Workforce Essentials, Inc.

 Rita Landgraf, Delaware State Department of Health and Social Services (in-person Day 

1, by phone Day 2)

 Lisa Pugh, Disability Rights Wisconsin

 Fredric Schroeder, Interwork Institute at San Diego State University

In addition, the following Federal officials were present: 

 Jennifer Sheehy, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Office of Disability Employment Policy, 

DOL.

 Portia Wu, Assistant Secretary of the Employment and Training Administration, DOL.

 David Weil, Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, DOL

 Laura Fortman (Proxy for David Weil), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

 Helen Applewhaite (Proxy for David Weil), U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services

 Mike Smith (Proxy for John O’Brien), Medicare and Medicaid Services (by Phone Day 1)

 Bob Williams, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

 Serena Lowe (Proxy for Bob Williams), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

 Robert Pfaff, Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Research, Demonstration and 

Employment Support, U.S. Social Security Administration

 Janet LaBreck, Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) at the 

U.S. Department of Education 

Day One: Wednesday, July 20, 2016 

Welcome and Introductions/Administrative Updates/David Mank, Chair 

At 9:30 a.m. Chairman Mank called the meeting to order and asked each Committee member to 

introduce themselves. He noted that two members, Alison Barkoff and Mike Smith, would join 

by phone. 

Chairman Mank reviewed the mission and charge of the Advisory Committee and provided an 

overview of the day’s agenda. He then recalled how the Committee had reached consensus on 

the draft recommendations in the last in-person meeting in April. The Committee has spent the 

last two months making adjustments and fine-tuning their recommendations and will devote 

this meeting to reviewing these changes. 

Overview of Structure of Final Report – Dr. David Mank and Rich Luecking 

Rich Luecking summarized the structure of the draft final report:
 With the exception of the AbilityOne Chapter, each chapter focuses on capacity 

building.

 The introduction provides the context of the Committee’s work and draws from the 

interim report.

 Chapter One: Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment will require Capacity 

Building represents the work done by the Complexity and Capacity Subcommittees.

 Chapter Two: Capacity Building for Youth represents the work done by the Transition to 

Careers subcommittee.

 Chapter Three: Capacity Building through Changes in the Use and Oversight of 14(c)

certificates represents work done by the 14 (c) work group.

 Chapter Four: Capacity Building in the Marketplace represents work done by the 

Marketplace Subcommittee.

 Chapter Five: Capacity Building in Specific Federal Agencies represents the work done by 

the Complexity Subcommittee.

 Chapter Six: Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment in the AbilityOne® Program

represents work done by the AbilityOne work group.

The draft final report may be accessed on the meeting agenda webpage at: 

https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/date/ACICIEID_Draft_Final_Report_7-13-16_Accessible.pdf

Report Out on Capacity Building in the Marketplace and Full Committee Discussion 

Rich Luecking provided a brief summary of major changes made in Chapter Four including a 

focus on professional development specific to the Marketplace subcommittee and additional 

information about benefits management and counseling. 

Karen McCulloh noted how their subcommittee included recommendations and language 

around training and pipeline issues from the interim report back into the draft final report. Ms. 

McCulloh also referenced some technical changes submitted by the Employment and Training 

Administration that they were working on incorporating into the chapter. 

Discussion:

Portia Wu thanked the Committee for considering ETA’s comments and offered her assistance 

in explaining the technical edits. Ms. McCulloh remarked that she had a question on 

recommendation two about work based learning and the best way to support individuals with 

significant disabilities and intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Steve Pemberton noted the importance of the training and pipeline recommendation as it 

relates to self-disclosure. Jim Brett commented on the recommendation highlighting benefits 

counseling. Robert Pfaff and Sharyn Hancock reiterated the importance of inclusivity at AJCs 

for individuals with I/DD. 
Chairman Mank thanked the Marketplace Subcommittee and asked if the Committee agreed 

with the changes discussed. Hearing no dissent, the Committee reached consensus. 

The chapter on Capacity Building in the Marketplace may be accessed on the meeting agenda 

webpage at: https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/date/ACICIEID_Draft_Final_Report_7-13-

16_Accessible.pdf

Roundtable Discussion on Disability Service Provider Capacity Building/Workforce 

Development 

Before introducing the panelists of the Roundtable Discussion, Chairman Mank announced that 

Deputy Secretary Christopher Lu would greet the Committee at 2:00 p.m. Then, Chairman Mank 

introduced Joseph M. Macbeth, Lori Sedlezky, and Shaun Wood (via Skype).

Lori Sedlezky thanked the Committee for inviting her to speak on the status of the direct service 

workforce. She presented the following points: 

 Direct support providers (DSPs) do not have a unique occupation title with the Bureau of 

Labor Statistics which creates various issues

 Low wages and poor supervisory relationships are two of the biggest reasons there is

high turnover in the workforce

Joe Macbeth discussed the high turnover rate for DSPs which impacted the quality of service. 

Mr. Macbeth talked about the Code of Ethics created by the National Alliance for Director 

Support Professionals.

Shaun Wood spoke about the importance of capacity building and ways to address high 

turnover. Mr. Wood noted that through his experience running a coaching program for 

students, they found that if a student had the same coach throughout the entire program, that 

student graduated from the program. In contrast, if a student had multiple coaches due to 

turnover, graduation rates decreased.

Discussion: 

Lisa Pugh asked Ms. Sedlezky if they have seen successful efforts getting people with 

intellectual and developmental disabilities into the workforce as well as other nontraditional 

labor pools. Ms. Sedlezky mentioned some emerging ideas in Wisconsin around the DSP 

workforce. 

Rita Landgraf applauded the panelists for their presentation especially around information on 

the Medicaid front relative to the reimbursement rates and in enforcing the training 

component. She also noted that the biggest complexity is that there is not a direct service 

professional category in that labor standard and believes it should be incorporated into a 

recommendation.

Chairman Mank thanked the panelists for their presentation and asked the Committee to take a 

15-minute break before the public testimony section. 
 

 

Public Testimony 

After a short break, the Committee reconvened. At 11:45 a.m., Chairman Mank thanked 

members of the public for submitting over 2,500 comments and for providing testimony over 

the last year. He remarked that the public has helped inform the Committee’s work. Then, he

introduced the individuals who submitted testimony to the ACICIEID Advisory Committee. They 

were allowed 5-7 minutes to provide their testimony.

The following individuals provided testimony:

 Kelly Nye-Lengerman, University of Minnesota’s Institute of Community Integration (via 

phone)

 Christine Grosso and Elizabeth Weintrop, Association of University Centers on 

Disabilities

Written public testimony can be accessed at:

https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/date/20160720-testimony.htm

Report Out on Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment will require Capacity 

Building and Full Committee Discussion 

The Committee reconvened at 1:32 p.m. after taking a lunch break. Dr. Luecking provided a 

brief summary of one major change made in recommendation five regarding professional 

development.

Cesilee Coulson noted the change made in recommendation five to include a professional 

development piece separate from the Marketplace subcommittee. She recalled how every 

subcommittee helped contribute to this chapter and thanked them for their work. Janet 

LaBreck echoed this sentiment and recalled how they worked on refining the recommendations 

to reflect which entities had the authority to make the suggested changes in the chapter. 

Discussion:

Alison Barkoff asked a clarifying question about recommendation two’s reference to MFPs and 

their time limited nature. Ms. Coulson noted that recommendation two was looking at 

sustainability of an effort of continually building capacity versus targeting capacity building for 

transformation. Ms. Coulson and Ms. Landgraf agreed to work with Ms. Barkoff to insert new 

language to clarify the intent of the recommendation. Bob Williams suggested they also 

include a note that Medicaid should not be the only source of funding for capacity building. 
Ms. Coulson mentioned the need to also add language around the labor force DSP piece and 

sustainability of services in the next round of edits. She noted that they can tie this piece with 

the transition to careers chapter.

Chairman Mank thanked the Capacity Building Subcommittee and asked if the Committee 

agreed with the changes discussed. Hearing no dissent, the Committee reached consensus. 

The chapter on Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment will require Capacity Building 

may be accessed on the meeting agenda webpage at: 

https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/date/ACICIEID_Draft_Final_Report_7-13-16_Accessible.pdf

Report Out on Capacity Building for Youth and Full Committee Discussion 

Dr. Luecking provided a brief summary of the major changes made including fine-tuning the 

assistive technology piece and rearranging the recommendations. 

Lisa Pugh started off my summarizing the assistive technology recommendation. She noted how 

Santa Perez did some outreach to states to identify issues in the area and discovered a lack of 

funding to schools and quality of assistive technology assessments. Ms. Pugh also emphasized 

the addition of the U.S. Department of Justice as a partner to enforce a students’ right to 

assistive technology. Ms. Perez mentioned that she wouldn’t be able to communicate without 

assistive technology. Ms. Barkoff suggested they add enforcement under the Individual with 

Disabilities Education Act as well. 

Chairman Mank interrupted the discussion to introduce Deputy Secretary Christopher Lu. 

Deputy Secretary Christopher Lu 

Chairman Mank stopped the discussion to introduce Deputy Secretary Christopher Lu. Deputy 

Secretary Lu began by commenting on the fact that assistive technology and federal leadership 

on these issues is a high priority for him as well. 

Deputy Secretary Lu thanked the Committee on behalf of the Secretary of Labor Tom Perez for 

the work they’ve done in drafting the final report. He spoke about it being an opportune time 

to introduce these recommendations as WIOA state plans are being reviewed and the emphasis 

of improving access to services through American Job Centers. He also noted the great work 

being done by the Office of Disability Employment Policy in the Employment First initiative. 

Report Out on Capacity Building for Youth and Full Committee Discussion (Cont.) 

The Committee returned to discuss final changes to the chapter on Capacity Building for Youth. 

Ms. Pugh asked for the word ‘paid’ to be added to every mention of work experiences. Ms. 

Moore responded by agreeing to add the language to the Capacity Building subcommittee’s 

work. Mr. Williams also requested the addition of language around looking at whether the 

provisions of the current law are being followed and whether those provisions are sufficient 

(possible role for the Office of Civil Rights). 
Chairman Mank thanked the Transition to Careers Subcommittee and asked if the Committee 

agreed with the changes discussed. Hearing no dissent, the Committee reached consensus. 

The chapter on Capacity Building for Youth may be accessed on the meeting agenda webpage 

at: https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/date/ACICIEID_Draft_Final_Report_7-13-

16_Accessible.pdf

Capacity Building in Specific Federal Agencies and Full Committee Discussion 

Dr. Luecking provided a brief summary of the chapter and noted that no major changes have 

been made – the section was simply reworked into a separate chapter. 

Patrick Hendry made a few observations including the importance of addressing the kind of 

institutionalized disincentives to work as opposed to addressing the legislative or the policy and 

rules type of disincentives that keep people from wanting to return to work. Chairman Mank 

asked Mr. Hendry to write some language around these ideas for the final report. 

Mr. Pfaff asked a question about the recommendation to have Social Security advisory board 

review eligibility requirements for SSA eligibility and whether that disability benefit would 

include Ticket to Work. Mr. Williams suggested dropping the word “eligibility” and focus on the 

definition of disability to make the recommendation clear to which Ms. McCulloh agreed. Ari 

Ne’eman volunteered to help draft the language. Ms. Hancock also requested the addition of a 

footnote regarding promise or career access initiative in the Ticket to Work section. Then, Ms. 

Coulson recommended the include language regarding family supports. Hearing no further 

comments or dissent, the Committee reached consensus. 

The chapter on Capacity Building in Specific Federal Agencies may be accessed on the meeting 

agenda webpage at: https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/date/ACICIEID_Draft_Final_Report_7-

13-16_Accessible.pdf

Final Observations and Remarks from Committee Members 

Ms. McCulloh asked the Committee whether they would have another meeting to finalize the changes 

discussed during the July meeting. Ms. Sheehy remarked that Dr. Luecking would incorporate all the 

changes discussed today and tomorrow into a draft final report and send it to the Committee members 

in a couple weeks. The Committee would then hold a final virtual meeting August 29th to agree on the 

final report. 

Summary and Adjournment, Dr. David Mank, Chair 

Chairman Mank provided a quick overview of Day 1 and noted how the Committee has reached 

consensus on four of the six chapters under consideration. The remaining two chapters on the 

AbilityOne Program and 14 (c) Certificates would be discussed on Day two. 

At 4:00 p.m., the meeting adjourned.
Day Two: Thursday, July 21, 2016 

Welcome/Roll-Call/Overview and Remarks, Dr. David Mank 

Chairman Mank welcomed back the Committee members and public. He provided an overview 

of the agenda. He noted that David Jones was sitting in for Portia Wu and Serena Lowe for Bob 

Williams. He added that Rita Landgraf would be participating by phone.

Report Out on Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment in the AbilityOne® Program 

and Full Committee Discussion; Report out on Capacity Building through Changes in the 

Use and Oversight of 14(c) Certificates and Full Committee Discussion 

Dr. Luecking provided a brief summary of the chapter and noted the three major changes that

have been made including: 

 Addition of language to substantially reduce the contract hour percentage

 Suggestion that there should be pilots to test the awarding of AbilityOne contracts from 

federal customers to private industries

 Insertion that the for profit entities participating in the program should be covered by 

the Fair Labor Standards Act

Chairman Mank noted that the Complexity and Marketplace subcommittee were deeply 

involved in this chapter. Ms. Barkoff specified that language was included to make sure people 

weren’t negatively impacted by a change to the 75% rule. 

Ms. Moore suggested that the program needs a separate advisory committee established for 

the purpose of modernizing the program. Ari Ne’eman echoed this sentiment and commented 

on the need in the future for a phased approached. Ms. Sheehy spoke about the importance of 

emphasizing that all recommendations are a holistic package. Chairman Mank suggested adding 

that language to the introduction of the report. Frederic Schroeder remarked on how the huge

buying power of the federal government is an enormous incentive, and if harnessed, it can 

support competitive integrated employment. 

Dr. Luecking provided a brief summary of the chapter and noted that no major changes have 

been made since the April meeting. 

Ms. Barkoff thanked the Wage and Hour Division for their technical assistance while drafting 

the chapter on 14 (c) Certificates. Ms. Moore also thanked members of the public for their 

comments on this matter and that they worked hard on ensuring safeguards to prevent 

unintended consequences. 
Chairman Mank thanked the Committee for their work on the AbilityOne and 14 (c) Chapters 

and asked if they agreed with the changes discussed. Hearing no dissent, the Committee 

reached consensus.

The chapters on the AbilityOne Program and 14 (c) Certificates may be accessed on the meeting 

agenda webpage at: https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/date/ACICIEID_Draft_Final_Report_7-

13-16_Accessible.pdf

Panel on Success Stories of Competitive Integrated Employment 

After a short break, Chairman Mank introduced the panelists:

 Ken Capone, Public Policy Director, People on the Go, Maryland 

 Amy Gonzalez, State Director of Employment & Day Services, Tennessee Department of 

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 

 Eric Ryan, AutoZone, Memphis, Tennessee (via Skype)

 William Hunter, AutoZone, Memphis, Tennessee (via Skype)

 Tyrone Brown, AutoZone, Memphis, Tennessee (via Skype)

Amy Gonzalez provided an overview of Tennessee’s involvement in the Employment First 

initiative and showed a video about Eric Ryan and William Hunter who worked in a sheltered 

workshop for over 20 years at SERVE. She then asked Eric Ryan, William Hunter and their 

current supervisor, Tyrone Brown, to answer a few questions. Mr. Ryan and Mr. Hunter started 

by explaining the type of work they do at AutoZone. Ms. Perez asked about the wages they 

made at AutoZone and at the sheltered workshop. They made around $3.00 an hour at the 

workshop and over minimum wage at AutoZone with benefits. 

Then, Ms. Gonzalez highlighted some lessons learned including:

 Secure buy in from leadership as soon as possible

 Engage community rehab providers, families, employers, advocacy agencies early on

 Work on modification of rate structures before capacity building

 Data collection is crucial

Ken Capone began his presentation and spoke about his organization and work with the 

Employment First initiative. Mr. Capone mentioned his brief experience with a sheltered 

workshop and the Ken Capone Equal Employment Act which phases out the use of 14 (c) 

Certificates in Maryland. 

Brief Remarks and Presentation of Certificates to the ACICIEID Members 

Chairman Mank thanked the Committee members, subcommittee chairs, DFOs, ODEP, ETA, 

WHD, and the contractors for their support and contribution to the Advisory Committee’s work. 

Then, Ms. Sheehy introduced Maria Town from the Office of Public Engagement at The White 

House. 
Ms. Town thanked the Committee members for their work and recalled the excitement 

surrounding their first meeting back in January 2015. Ms. Town then proceeded to present each 

Committee member with a certificate from the U.S. Department of Labor for their service. 

Adjournment 

Chairman Mank thanked the Committee members and members of the public for their 

participation in the process. The meeting was adjourned at 12:28 p.m.

Certification 

I hereby certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the foregoing minutes are accurate and 

complete.

_________________________

ACICIEID Chairman David Mank