Members | About Workshops | Services for Missourians | News search Dignified and meaningful employment for people with disabilities About Workshops Workshop Services Events News Members Resource Library Member Services Home MASWM News Board Starts Planning for January Legislative Meeting – MASWM's Board of Directors began looking at options for the annual legislative meeting in Jefferson City. KC Area Shop Uses Technology to Fight Challenge – Vocational Services in the Kansas City Northland has some good answers for tough questions. Challenges, Solutions at Fall Conference – The Fall Conference finished with a jam-packed agenda and some surprising news. Fall Conference Starts Well – MASWM's Fall Conference got off to a great start Monday, Sept. 27 with 80 registered participants and a full agenda. Monett Workshop Undergoing Big Changes – Contracting with SWI in Springffield to make improvements. Workshop Video: Threats To 14C Are Real – Here's an outstanding video on some very real threats to 14c and to employment programs for people with disabilities nationwide. Good to know: Missouri Able accounts are a great way for people with disabilities to save. For more information, go to this link by the Missouri State Treasurer. Missouri Workshops Emphasize Choice And Opportunity for People with Disabilities The Missouri Association of Sheltered Workshop Managers is dedicated to enhancing Missouri's extended employment sheltered workshops, programs for the people we serve and the business services we provide. Founded by parents and others deeply concerned with the wellbeing and opportunities available for Missourians with disabilities, the association is a leader in the field of disability awareness through education, advocacy and creation of opportunities for people with disabilities. Workshops were founded by parents and others concerned with safe and sustainable opportunities for adult children with disabilities. Their drive to maximize real-world choice and involvement continues today. Many of Missouri's workshops operate robust community programs, both for employment opportunities and to increase involvement. Work skills, socializing and other learning are important, along with a sense of contributing to the community. Businesses nationwide utilize Missouri's workshop services for businesses that range from packaging to custom assembly. Many of Missouri's workshops are the proud custodians of highway rest areas, operate recycling programs, retail shops and other visible efforts that improve their communities and the state of Missouri. Still other workshops manufacture their own original products, helping expand the business opportunities that in turn provide a majority of workshop funding. MASWM proudly supports our friends, the Dignity Has A Voice campaign and A Team Missouri. Dignity Has A Voice, powered by the self-advocacy organization A Team Missouri, was created to tell the real story of people with the most significant disabilities and their families, who choose employment in sheltered workshops. Please visit www.dignityhasavoice.org to learn more. MASWM The Missouri Association of Sheltered Workshop Managers If you have questions, please contact: President Rob Libera – (636) 227-5666 or rlibera@lafayetteindustries.com or Legislative Chair Kit Brewer – (314) 647-3300 or cbrewer@cuinc.org