What is Employment First?

Employment in the general workforce is the first and preferred outcome in the provision of publicly funded services for all working age citizens with disabilities, regardless of level of disability.

There are four guiding values of Employment First:

1. Employment is the first and expected outcome for working-age people with disabilities, including those with complex and significant disabilities.
2. People with disabilities are competitively employed or self-employed.
3. Employees with disabilities earn at least the minimum wage and benefits.
4. Employee with disabilities are fully integrated into the workplace and interact with coworkers, customers, and the public.

Minnesota Employment First Summit Series

The Minnesota Employment First Coalition is a group of professionals, families, and advocates who are committed to making the vision of Employment First a reality in Minnesota. Since 2006, the Minnesota Employment First Coalition has tirelessly worked to provide education, support, technical assistance, and adovacy around the promotion of policies and practices that embraces the values of Employment First.

The Minnesota Employment First Coaltion hosted a number of Employment First Summits targeting community members, families, businesses, educators, and advocates to provide up to date and current best practices, as well as faciliate discussion around what it will take to make employment a reality for all Minnesotans with disabilties.

Click on the buttons to the right to read more about each Minnesota Employment First Summit. Summit reports are available in PDF form.

Summit I: A concensus report

Summit II: The scorecard

Summer III: A new hope

Summit IV: Summit of champions

Summit V: Special educators summit