I am fortunate enough to have been able to call Bud a friend and I learned so much from him over the span of my career. He was SO smart, such a passionate activist and understood more about the disability field – past, present and future – than most.  He was funny, sweet and tough, all at the same time. He had a strong spirit, and his passing leaves a huge hole – in our community – and in my heart.

As the sibling of a brother with IDD, Bud believed in and fought tirelessly for a better future for people with IDD.   He was a strong supporter of The Arc Minnesota and partnered with us on countless efforts over the past 25 years, providing training and consultation, as well as supporting the advocacy we do at the individual, family and legislative level. He was powerful thought partner and we looked to him for so many things. I feel so fortunate to have had Bud in my life, personally and professionally. He will be so missed.

I know we at The Arc Minnesota will continue to build on his legacy and advance towards belonging, justice, liberation and freedom for people with disabilities. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bud’s family and friends as they grieve and honor his life.

Warmest regards,

Andrea L. Zuber

Chief Executive Officer

The Arc Minnesota

The post Bud Rosenfield first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post Bud Rosenfield appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

We are all familiar with “People First” or “Person-Centered” language. I have been working in the Disability Services field since 1996, and it is what I learned early on, and quickly adapted myself. “People First” language is intended to be respectful by putting the PERSON before their disability. An example of “People First” language is “they are a person with a disability.”

Now, many self-advocates are beginning to prefer and use “Identity First” Language. When I first started learning about it, I struggled with the concept, because of all I had been taught by the People First movement. An example of “Identity First” language is, “they are a disabled person.” It is meant to be a way to normalize disability as a natural part of the human condition and not something that has to be downplayed. Said another way, it is ok to be disabled, and self-advocates—and those who know them—are proud of who they are.

An impactful article for me was Cara Leibowitz’s piece “I am Disabled: On Identity First Vs People-First Language” for The Body Is Not an Apology. In it, Leibowitz writes,”In every community, there will always be exceptions. When in doubt, ask the person how they like to be described. Never make an assumption if you are in a position to ask. If you are referring to a broad community or to a person you can’t ask, I suggest you default to the language most commonly used by members of that community—not the language commonly used by parents or allies.”

Because “Identity First” language is becoming more and more favored by self-advocates in the disability community, The Arc Minnesota has started to use both “People First” and “Identity First” language in our publications. We provided training for staff on this, emphasizing that for now, it is not one or the other—everyone has a different opinion on the issue—so we will use both forms of identification in our communications.

Language matters, how we use it matters, and it is an important choice for us as an organization and for us as individuals. We are working to put together resources and educational materials—including finding ways to elevate the lived experience of disabled people themselves —so that our broader Arc community is informed and understands these two ways of identification. We welcome you to join us in this dialogue, and stay tuned for more information on this important topic!

Letters from the CEO is The Arc Minnesota’s series of blog posts from CEO Andrea Zuber about our priorities and passions as an organization. 

The post Identity First vs. People First Language first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post Identity First vs. People First Language appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

The recent commentary article published by Access Press titled, “Limiting work options for people with disabilities raises equity issues” perpetuates widespread misinterpretation and misunderstanding of the work of the Minnesota Task Force on Eliminating Subminimum Wage.

Parent Jean Bender writes, “My son, David, fits the profile of someone who would be funneled into subminimum wage. Instead, he has an individualized program designed to build skills and support community integration. I support eliminating subminimum wage, not to limit choices, but because there are better options for my son and his peers. We can’t seem to discuss those options because those fighting to preserve the outdated subminimum wage programs won’t have the conversation.”

There is a growing movement across the country to end subminimum wages for people with disabilities. Nearly fifteen states have already ended subminimum wage work, or have plans to do so.

To make sure Minnesota is prepared if this happens, the legislature set up the Task Force on Eliminating Subminimum Wages in 2021. Self-advocates—including those who were earning subminimum wage—led the 2021 legislation because they believe phasing out subminimum wage, segregated employment, and other employment-related policies that discriminate against people with disabilities will help advance equity, drive social change, and protect human rights.

People with disabilities, the parent of a child with disabilities, service providers and people who work for government agencies are all serving on the Task Force and working together.

The Task Force is not making recommendations on whether Minnesota should end the use of subminimum wages, but working to ensure a smooth transition if subminimum wages are phased out by state or federal policy changes. As part of the Task Force member solicitation process, applicants acknowledged they understand and agree to support the work of the Task Force—which is to put together a plan to end subminimum wage, if legislation is passed mandating the end of it. They were not required to be committed to ending subminimum wage.

While the Task Force was given a clear charge by the legislature that did not include debating the value of subminimum wage, the plan the Task Force is creating can help support healthy debate at the legislature, and in other forums.

The Task Force’s purpose is to support people with disabilities, especially those with concerns about what a phase-out would mean for them.

The Task Force is conducting extensive engagement and outreach, seeking input especially from those who have disabilities, their families, and trusted supporters. This Engagement Plan Summary shows how the Task Force is reaching out to people who would be affected if subminimum wage is phased out. Thoughts can be shared by completing this survey.

The work of the Task Force is crucial in helping ensure more people have access to jobs that build on their skills, support personal wellbeing and increase economic growth. That work must be strategic and thoughtful so people in our community—especially those with the most significant support needs—are not left behind. With the right plan and approach, we can ensure that people with disabilities who want to work can work, and that people have meaningful ways to spend their time.

Parent Larissa Beck writes, “One of the most important things to my son, who has an intellectual and developmental disability, is that everything be fair and equitable. As his mom, I can’t imagine trying to explain how having a disability makes it ‘ok’ for him to be paid less than minimum wage. To him, that would mean that he is less than the minimum, and less than human, which is not fair nor equitable. As his mom, I will always advocate for him to be fully included in all aspects of his life. I want everyone, including my son, to have a fair chance and I hope that with the work of the Task Force, we can come up with a good plan to do it well.”

The work currently being done will ensure people with disabilities always have the meaningful services and support they need to have belonging, justice, freedom, and citizenship in their communities.

Find more information about the Task Force on the Minnesota Department of Human Services website.

Letters from the CEO is The Arc Minnesota’s series of blog posts from CEO Andrea Zuber about our priorities and passions as an organization. 

The post Beyond equity, towards justice—The Task Force on Eliminating Subminimum Wage first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post Beyond equity, towards justice—The Task Force on Eliminating Subminimum Wage appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

The current crisis is the old crisis 

This is not a new problem. The system is in ruins because its structure has long been unsustainable. For many years, state demographers have been telling us the impending workforce shortage will not be a problem of pay, job satisfaction, or other “typical” recruitment and retention issues alone. Rather, the dilemma is that we do not have enough working age adults in the workforce to fill all of the existing jobs in Minnesota. That includes the direct care positions our state relies so heavily on.  

Minnesota has one of the highest rates of group homes per capita in the country (see In-Home and Residential Long-Term Supports and Services for Persons with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities: Status and Trends 2018 (umn.edu) at page 50). Unfortunately, we are seeing the consequences of an overreliance on limited staff in these settings. Overreliance is contributing to burnout and lower quality care for the people who live there. According to Minnesota’s Olmstead Subcabinet report, quality of life  is lower for people who live in provider-controlled residential settings than for others (see Olmstead Quality of Life Preliminary Report (mn.gov) at 14).   

Many people with disabilities and their families are unaware of the opportunities and options available for them to live in their own homes and communities. Many do not need the level of care a group home provides, but due to the lack of awareness, as well as the lack of affordable, accessible and available housing and more flexible support options, group homes become their only choice.  

Unfortunately, the legislature’s approach of expanding the capacity of group homes and intermediate care facilities (ICFs) will not alleviate the workforce shortage. Instead, it will take us in the wrong direction towards disabled people living in larger and more segregated settings. Advocates in Minnesota have spent decades working to ensure that people who have disabilities are not segregated from the rest of society in congregate settings where the only residents are people with disabilities. 

We are failing Minnesotans with disabilities by limiting their choices for true inclusion in their communities. People with disabilities are isolated because they do not have true belonging. Progress is stalled because of the deeply rooted ableism in our society.  

Moving forward with solutions 

If we want to solve this crisis, we must make structural changes that will stop it from continuing. It is essential that we reduce reliance on congregate settings—large and small—which are highly dependent on paid staff that we simply do not and will not have. We must find solutions to ensure that Kylen, Lauren, and so many thousands of other Minnesotans are able to get flexible supports in their own homes.  

There were several proposals this legislative session that would address this issue through structural transformation. The Arc’s agenda items related to accessible housing and removing barriers for people to live in homes of their own were critical proposals that could have helped us move in the right direction. Informed choice in housing cannot happen until we increase affordable, accessible, and inclusive housing throughout the state; and until all people with disabilities have equal opportunity and limited barriers in their choice of living options. The legislature’s failure to reach an agreement or pass important spending bills is not only disappointing, but it is devastating to the progress Minnesotans with disabilities deserve and need right now. 

Minnesotans with disabilities have a right to an inclusive society and flexible supports that promote a rich, full life. We cannot allow the failures of the current system to continue to impede on this important right. It is time for everyone to take responsibility for this. Systems cannot truly care for people; only people can care for each other. Friends, neighbors, churches and communities are ready and waiting—if we can find a way to engage them and welcome them in. 

Many disabled people are thriving in our communities today. They are strong and capable and resilient. We can no longer rely solely on a direct support workforce to support disabled people. We need all members of our communities to be part of the solution—not just disability professionals. Employers can hire talent. Landlords can offer rental solutions. Neighbors can provide support and friendship. If we tap into the natural abundance in our communities, people are, can and will be connected, involved and have belonging. If you want to be part of this movement and part of the solution, please contact The Arc Minnesota to get involved.   

For more information on finding A Home of One’s Own, please check out The Arc Minnesota’s three-part training series from April/May 2022. You can review the sessions and download the resources here.   

Watch Andrea Zuber’s speech addressing social change and Brilliant Truths—Navigate to 31:02 in the recording

 Get involved with systems change at The Arc Minnesota by joining a Capitol Connector Team or using our Advocacy Toolkit to contact your legislators.  

You can also support change in our communities by donating to and volunteering with The Arc Minnesota or Arc’s Value Village to help us continue our work.

Letters from the CEO is The Arc Minnesota’s series of blog posts from CEO Andrea Zuber about our priorities and passions as an organization. 

The post A New Approach to Abundant Lives first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post A New Approach to Abundant Lives appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

What is the Taskforce on Subminimum Wage and what can they do?

Last session, the Minnesota legislature passed language to establish a Taskforce on Subminimum Wage, which will develop a plan and make recommendations on how to phase-out subminimum wage, should there be further legislation that ends the use of subminimum wage. Upon applying to the Taskforce, members understood that the purpose of the Taskforce was not to debate whether or not subminimum wage should be phased out. The Taskforce members attested to come up with a plan for a phase out for IF the use of subminimum wage should end. The thoughtful and strategic recommendations will help make sure people who have disabilities are not left without meaningful day services and employment options.

The scope and work of the Taskforce on Subminimum Wage does not include the authority to end the use of subminimum wage in Minnesota. The elimination of subminimum wage would require separate legislation from the state legislature or Congress at the federal level. This is a nation-wide movement, led by Self-advocates, and it is imperative Minnesota is prepared.

Why is the taskforce important?

The Arc Minnesota believes the work of the Taskforce is crucial in helping ensure more people have access to jobs that build on their skills. That work must be strategic and thoughtful so that people in our community are not left behind. With the right plan and approach, we can ensure that people with disabilities who want to work can work, and that people have meaningful ways to spend their time.

Our state has historically under-invested in integrated employment in the community. In 2018, Minnesota spent $239,012,000 on funding for facility-based work and other daytime supports, but ten times less ($20,943,000) funding integrated employment.

We support the recommendations promoted by the national Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE), which suggest how to build capacity in employment supports, and can help ensure providers are sustainable if subminimum wage is phased out. They include:

• “Technical assistance and supports should be provided… to the holders of 14(c) certificates themselves, in order to move the individuals currently receiving sub-minimum into employment opportunities in the community at minimum wage or higher”
• “Effort must be undertaken to improve the overall quality of community employment outcomes both in terms of individual outcomes (wages, hours, diversity of employment), system outcomes (efficiency and effectiveness), and proper funding of services and long-term support.”
• “It is unacceptable to eliminate an individual’s day services and supports as a result of the phase out of sub-minimum wage.”

Along with the Taskforce legislation passed last session in Minnesota, there are resources dedicated to providers that commit to phasing out their use of subminimum wage certificates, also known as 14(c). There are providers across the state that have successfully done so. Those providers are still in business, and still support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Many other providers are planning and in progress of phasing out their 14(c) certificates.

Phasing out 14(c), subminimum wage, segregated employment, and other employment-related policies that discriminate against people with disabilities will help advance equity, drive social change, and truly protect human rights. Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act is outdated and needs to be changed. The practice of paying people with disabilities less than minimum wage in jobs goes against The Arc Minnesota’s mission to promote and protect the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

What comes next?

The Taskforce’s purpose is to support people with disabilities, especially those with concerns about what a phase-out would mean for them. We would like to continue this conversation with people with disabilities and families so they understand the work being done to ensure they or their loved ones will always have the meaningful services and support they need to have belonging, justice, freedom, and citizenship in their communities.

Find more information about the Taskforce on the Minnesota Department of Human Services website, including a schedule of upcoming meetings (which are open to the public). You can also subscribe to our Capitol Connector email list to get important public policy updates for the state of Minnesota.

Click here to download this blog as a PDF (English)

A version of this piece was shared as an opinion piece on the Minnesota Council on Disability website.

The post The Taskforce on Subminimum Wage in Minnesota first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post The Taskforce on Subminimum Wage in Minnesota appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

The Direct Support Workforce Shortage has been a long time coming. It has been predicted for decades but as many things, it is now exacerbated by the global pandemic. Across the state, group homes are closing because they do not have enough staff and people are being asked to move back in with family, or into larger, more institutional settings.

For many years, state demographers have been telling us the impending workforce shortage will not be a problem of pay, job satisfaction, or other “typical” recruitment and retention issues alone. Rather, the dilemma is that we do not have enough working age adults in the workforce to fill all of the existing jobs we have in Minnesota, and that includes the direct care positions that Minnesota relies so heavily on.

The Arc Minnesota contributed to a recent letter sent to Governor Walz, which lays out a number of immediate, near and long-term solutions to this dilemma. We need more hands on deck to support this crisis in the short term, and it is vital that Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) earn a livable wage. On January 11, Governor Walz issued a press release detailing a temporary 5% rate increase for service providers to recruit and retain their direct support workforce, which will be a welcome boost for exhausted care providers.

The long game

As humans our brains are wired to focus on solutions to immediate threats, which make sense because that is how our species survived and evolved. However, with today’s predicament, it is clear the immediate solutions presented are not sustainable and do not address the root causes of this dilemma.

If we want to solve this crisis, we must make structural changes that will stop and prevent it from continuing. It is essential that we reduce reliance on congregate settings—large and small—which are highly dependent on paid staff we simply do not have. It is imperative we ALSO focus our attention on combating ableism. Ableism creates separation and the belief that only “specially trained” professionals can work with or support people with disabilities, which is not true. Ableism is at the root of so much inaction and stagnation on all levels—in disability services, state systems, and society at large.

It is well within our power to build a future where we engage the abundant communities around us (neighbors, employers, property owners, faith communities, etc.) to also support people with disabilities. The work of the Abundant Community, spearheaded by John McKnight’s work, has many examples of community support we can draw on. Above all, if we work to change the narrative around people with disabilities to one of abundance, capacity, and innate worth—and put an end ableist practices and thinking—others will come to the table.

The work has already started

Long-term solutions take extraordinary effort and energy and fortunately, there are many examples of what is working across the country that we can build on. In Minnesota, we have several home and community based services and supports that lead to greater interdependence and natural supports for people with disabilities, and the marketplace is building new technology and tools as well.

Much of the focus for long-term solutions has to be on building inclusive communities that welcome children with disabilities at an early age and prevent the need for separate, congregate care. Early intervention works, and prevents the need for more intensive supports into adulthood. Inclusive childcare and classrooms allow children with disabilities to have relationships that are meaningful and translate to social capital later in life. Post-secondary education programs such as the BUILD program at Bethel University have an extraordinary success rate for people to have their own jobs and earn living wages when they complete their programs.

Large international employers like UnitedHealth Group, United Health Care, Optum Health Care and Mayo Clinic Health System have developed training and recruitment programs where their own employees mentor people with disabilities. They get a substantial return on investment and understand the capacity and value of people with disabilities in their diverse workforces. Employment Services are available to help people with disabilities find and keep jobs and build careers and personal wealth.

Housing Stabilization Services are working to support people in homes of their own. PCA, Home Care, Intermittent Crisis Supports and Remote Supports are working so that people who need 24-hour supports can live with their families, or in homes of their own. Tools like the Vitals App allow people to navigate their community and still feel safe and supported.

Consumer Directed Community Supports allow people to hire family, friends and neighbors, and get the tailored and familiar support they need. This self-directed model assumes that people with disabilities know best what they need to be successful and empowers them to create their own plan.

All of these things lead to financial empowerment, improved well-being, and a reduced reliance on our formal service delivery system. DSPs are a very important part of the workforce and network of supports for people with disabilities, but if our abundant communities can contribute in ways that promote belonging, we can rebalance our support system and create a more sustainable future.

Looking towards the future

Again this year, The Arc Minnesota has put forward a progress legislative agenda, focused on building a future where people are supported more fully by their communities so they have belonging, justice, citizenship and freedom. Last year, we passed monumental legislation related to inclusive childcare, informed choice in decision-making, and policies that promote inclusive, individualized supports in community. This year, we are focusing on post-secondary education, affordable housing, and much more.

There are things that are working. Let us look to those. All of this is possible and happening now. It needs to be shared so people can understand the options available. We need storytelling, mentoring, and a bold vision. We can prioritize our way out of this dilemma if we address the root causes and call on community in new ways. If you are interested in furthering this conversation, please reach out. It takes a village.

Our abundant communities are waiting to support people. Engage them. Encourage them. Let them.

Andrea Zuber
Chief Executive Officer, The Arc Minnesota

Letters from the CEO is The Arc Minnesota’s new series of blog posts from CEO Andrea Zuber about our priorities and passions as an organization. 

The post Hope Amidst Crisis: Building Abundant Communities first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post Hope Amidst Crisis: Building Abundant Communities appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

When considering policy changes as it relates to HCBS, we strongly support innovative and transformational changes that promote human rights, a sense of belonging, and self-direction for people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. We need intentional policy development which centers self-determination and informed decision-making for people who have disabilities. Most importantly, it is essential to center people who have disabilities and their families in the development, implementation, and evaluation of these transformative policies. This not only works to advance the disability justice movement; we will also see a significant return on investment as a country when our fellow citizens who have disabilities are able to contribute and prosper.

We must ask Members of Congress to pass the Better Care Better Jobs Act. Intentional investment in our HCBS system is long overdue. They must pass this bill NOW so that we can move forward together to transform our system and our society so that people who have disabilities know they truly belong in their communities.

Click here to take action.

Andrea Zuber
Chief Executive Officer, The Arc Minnesota

Letters from the CEO is The Arc Minnesota’s new series of blog posts from CEO Andrea Zuber about our priorities and passions as an organization. Stay tuned for future updates.

The post Transforming Home and Community Based Services through the Better Care Better Jobs Act first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post Transforming Home and Community Based Services through the Better Care Better Jobs Act appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

The practice of paying people less than minimum wage goes against our core mission to promote and protect the human rights of individuals who have disabilities, so we were honored to advocate alongside leaders in Minnesota’s disability justice movement who worked to make this happen.

ALL individuals who have disabilities—no matter their disability type and support needs—deserve the opportunity to explore, find, and keep jobs that provide personal fulfillment and help build wealth. To do so, we must:

• Pay people livable wages so they can escape the cycle of poverty perpetuated by our current service system;
• Promote customized jobs that build on each individual’s unique talents and interests;
• Help people build careers in inclusive workplaces, alongside others who do and do not have disabilities; and
• Create innovative and creative partnerships with Minnesota’s business community

Fostering collaborative relationships with business owners large and small across the state will be critical. When people who have disabilities are included as part a rich, diverse workforce, the return on investment is real.

Accenture, Disability:IN, and the American Association of People with Disabilities found that companies  leading in disability employment and inclusion had, on average, twice the net income, 28% higher revenue, and 30% higher profit margins over a four-year period. These returns should be especially compelling for the many business owners currently striving to fill gaps in their workforce, who should build on the unique skills of people who have disabilities for their talent pool.

It is time to acknowledge and respect people who have disabilities for their many contributions to our workforce, economy and society as a whole. Furthermore, we must honor their wholeness and inherent value. At The Arc, we are working to build a Movement that raises awareness about the strength, resilience, and capacity of people who have disabilities. Disability is part of the rich diversity of human experience, in which many people find their power—not in spite of it.

Phasing out subminimum wages and promoting employment of people who have disabilities is just the beginning, and must be layered within the broader effort to honor disability identity, build belonging in community, advance social change, and realize disability justice.

Andrea Zuber
CEO, The Arc Minnesota

Letters from the CEO is The Arc Minnesota’s new series of blog posts from CEO Andrea Zuber about our priorities and passions as an organization. Stay tuned for future updates.

The post Celebrating Human Rights Progress first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post Celebrating Human Rights Progress appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.