2nd Draft Final Paper

Christine Bowser

Instructor: Daykin

Argumentation Paper

12/16/13

The Importance Of Living Learning, And Working

            Living, learning and working are three of the most essential functions of everyday life.  To take one away is to throw away all of the functions of everyday life for a disabled person.  How would you feel if every day you had to fight for the right to participate in society?  There is proposed legislation of a bill called HR 831 that would effectively close sheltered workshop programs leaving a number of people without any work at all, and further isolating them from the community.  With this proposed legislation it would prohibit the use of Medicaid funds for participants in segregated programs. We should be creating more employment opportunities not eliminating them.   It is imperative for a person with disabilities to have a voice.  Ask yourself who that should be?  Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird said, you never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb into his skin and walk around in it. (Lee; page 30)

            How would you feel if some legislator or third party funding source was the deciding factor that determined whether you fit criteria to be able to receive or continue services?  There is a brother and sister, who attends a work based employment center five days a week.  They would both attend day services in the morning and then work in the production area in the afternoon.  As the result of recent funding cuts they now only come to the center three full days a week and then sit at home for the other two.  How does this government or funding source know what is best for this family?  Since losing the social affirmation of their weekly support system the government is isolating them from the community.  John Hanewall, Director of Rock County’s Developmental disabilities board believes that segregated work places do have a role in the community.  He believes places like KANDU and Riverfront provide services so that individuals can work.  He also states that there aren't enough jobs in the community for a person with a cognitive disability.  Hanewall asks what employer is going to develop assistive devices so that people can work.  Is an employer going to be willing to do that, probably not?  (GazetteXtra)
      Perhaps the need for sheltered workshops is best described by the President of the New 
York State Rehabilitation Association, Michael Fox, who wrote this in his editorial comments in 
the May 13, 2001 Syracuse Newspaper. 
Sheltered workshops are one option available to people with disabilities-one of many 
offered by community providers of rehabilitation services. For those whose disabilities 
are severe enough to make imminent employment unlikely in a supported or competitive 
situation, it is a chance to learn job skills and earn a wage. It is their choice over 
unemployment-which, according to a recent Harris pole, is over 70 percent among people 
with disabilities. Quite simply, if you take away an opportunity for 16,000 people now 
working in sheltered workshops in New York State to earn a wage-and you swell the 
ranks of the unemployed.(Cox)
        There is evidence that sheltered workshops are contracting better jobs 
and greater job variety than in the past, hence providing quality work with the added supports 
many client-workers, parents, and guardians feel are needed. It should also be taken into 
consideration that, although inclusion into the community is extremely important and desirable, 
relationships among ones peer group is also a major component that can be met at a sheltered 
facility. The facility is able to provide an environment where many client-workers are on the 
 same social and intellectual level as one another enabling strong friendships to form that are 
often different than those in the working community where coworkers often act more as 
“mentors” than friends(Cox)
        This subject is very personal to me since I have a brother that had general cognitive disabilities.  My brother Kevin attended a center based employment, day service center.  Kevin would not have been successful working out in the community unless he had one on one coaching.  With all the funding cuts happening to social programs I don’t foresee any program or funding source wanting to give one to one supports for all of someone’s work history, if they won’t do it now.  So what would happen to my brother if he wasn’t able to continue working at an employment based center and it was closed because some obscure voice was telling him that he was being exploited and segregated?  Would he understand what that meant or why he couldn’t go to somewhere he loved to go every day?   Whenever my brother would come home for a visit the first thing that he would talk about was the jobs or activities that he had been doing at his work and day service program.  He always took great pleasure in sharing with his friends and family all of his accomplishments.  Now in hearing a little bit of my brother’s story I want you to ask yourself, when you have pride in your accomplishments, do you share them with those are close to you and that you love?  Again I want you to ask yourself, how would you feel if all of that was taken away from you?  My brother may not have ever worked in the community but he was able to work and have pride in what he did, that is the most important thing.  I for one have never believed that my brother was ever exploited or segregated.  I will always applaud, support the non-profit group home, work and day center that he lived at and attended for all of his life. 

            There is also talk of closing group homes under this proposal.  How would this have affected my brother or my family?  Would I have been able to adequately provide for him?  I debated many times over the years whether or not I should have brought my older brother home to live with me.  He started out in an institution and then was transitioned to a group home.  By the time that I was established enough to be able to take care of him, he had been living with the same group of men for twelve years.  These men were also his family, as was the staff that took care of him, and he loved them.  I felt that he lived in an amazing group home where people were able to see to his unique set of medical needs twenty four hours a day.  Put yourself in the place of my brother and my family, ask yourself what would you do and how would you feel if that was all taken away from you.

            Riverfront Incorporated of LaCrosse Wisconsin believes a one-size-fits-all solution to services does not reflect the diversity of needs of people with disabilities.  A continuum or services is needed to support each individual’s unique abilities interests and priorities. This organization like many others has a multitude of opportunities.  The programs that are offered are job placement, behavioral programs, and primetime programs for seniors, mental health counseling, recreation trips, and at home services.  Everything that an organization like this does is so that a person can be integrated into the community and to have a variety of lifetime experiences and supports.  Mary Kessen’s the CEO of Riverfront believes that federal insistence that all people with disabilities should have jobs in the community instead of specialized facilities is very shortsighted. (Tighe)

The effects of this proposal are already being felt and families and participants are losing much needed services.  For example there is a brother and sister, Keith and Brenda.   When Keith first started coming to the sheltered workshop he was possibly the shyest person, and he would only talk to a few staff.  When he would walk down the hall he would walk with his head down, and when someone would be walking to close he would veer to the other side of the hall.  There was one year when Keith played a piano at a banquet honoring participants and their achievements.  The only way that he could play is if there was a screen blocking anyone from looking at him because he would have closed down and not been able to play.  That event took place four years ago, now Keith has a huge circle of friends and is able to talk to more than just a few people.  He loves to be in dance class and loves to work in the afternoon on the production floor.  The jobs that Keith does is sorting and labeling.  I talked to his job coach Deanna Johnson, who had tears in her eyes as she spoke so affectionately.  She said Keith is a much happier and outgoing person from when he first started.  She also said that his level of work has not progressed to the level for him to be able to work in the community on his own.  The job coach also shared with me that what she thinks is important in this case is that Keith is happy, his family is happy with where he is right now.  Why should there be a time limit on learning skills?  This case alone shows there should not be a time limit because every person especially with a disability has their own time table of learning and progressing to the next level.

There are several people and business that talk about their association with Riverfront Incorporated and how they feel what it means to participants.  Scott Sklenar of Ghundersen Lutheran Health System believes that businesses that work with Riverfront know their workforce gets something too; a sense of accomplishment pride and self-worth.  The participants have a real job.  They are being paid and in turn, they contribute to the community.    Stephan Woessner formerly of University of LaCrosse Wisconsin Small Business Center has many praises for Riverfront Incorporated.    “Riverfront is in business to provide good and meaningful work for people with disabilities,” Woessner said. “It was a great win-win all the way around. We got a wonderful service and it was slightly less expensive. And for Riverfront participants, it’s a rewarding part their day. It’s a great way for them to feel the satisfaction of productive work.” “Riverfront is not asking to be treated any differently,” he said. “Businesses need to be able to make sound decisions based on quality and pricing, just like they would with any other service partner. I wouldn’t expect anyone to do work with Riverfront if the final product was substandard. All other things being equal, the fact that the work is being performed by people with disabilities just tips the scale to Riverfront.  This isn’t just about Riverfront but the many places like them at danger of having to close their doors because someone who doesn’t completely understand, we are not a one size person fits all disabilities and abilities. (Riverfront)

The Hodan Center is Southwest Wisconsin is very similar to Riverfront in their mission and wanting to support people with disabilities.  Their mission is to provide and promote opportunities for work and personal development so that persons with disabilities can achieve individual life goals. Jane Brokish has a brother that attends the center and she says, "My 45 year old brother Andy has been attending Hodan Center daily since he was 21 years old.  To say that he 'lives for Hodan Center' is not an exaggeration!  It's the top thing on his mind at any time.  Weekends or holidays are challenging for him because he cannot be with his friends and peers.  Every day at Hodan Center is a terrific day for Andy!  He lights up when he talks about Hodan Center, the staff and his friends, the things they do together.  Additionally, the staff is heaven sent.  The unconditional and genuine love, attention, compassion, patience and care that they give to their client-employees is heart-warming and inspirational.  They are truly special people and make life infinitely better for the individuals they care for and their families. Without the existence of Hodan Center, Andy and others like him would likely end up institutionalized, which would be a shame when daily TLC, companionship and interaction with each other keeps them vital, functioning, and HAPPY individuals!"  Cherie Larson says, "Hodan Center has been a lifesaver for our family and for our son Jesse.  Jesse has worked at Hodan Center since he graduated from high school.  He has continued to mature and grow in work skills, language skills and confidence.  He loves to go to work and takes pride in the product he helps produce.  Hodan Center has given our son opportunities to work with machines, learn food preparation skills, and his favorite, assisting on the delivery truck.  He can hardly wait to get to work daily.  The staff at Hodan Center has been instrumental in Jesse's success.  They patiently work with him to encourage the great work skills he has.  They also encourage and correct his social interactions.  Part of Hodan Center's staff takes Jesse on outings into the community to reinforce the social skills he is learning.  He has been shopping, gone out to eat, and gone bowling and fishing.  Last week he caught a 19 inch walleye off the dock at Yellowstone Lake.  He was thrilled.  Hodan Center tailors the outings, the jobs, and the services to the needs of the clients.  I can't say enough good things about Hodan Center and its staff.  They have given Jesse a job and a purpose in life!"  These are just a few stories of the millions that are out there, and I think it is very important to listen to their voices, to continue to support their families and not take away their rights. (Hodan Center)

Day service rehabilitation programs are under fire right along with sheltered employment.  This type of program helps a person identify their needs and goals.  Programs like this help and enhance work skill and make a person more employable.  Examples of goals could be to help with behavioral challenges such as aggression, helping an autistic person connect with other people appropriately, to learn how to use a walker, how to count money, how to read recipes, cook, and how to cope in different environments.  Other very important factors could be supporting the family, giving them respite, teaching skills, helping with mobility, communications skills, socialization, self-care, and community integration through outings.  A person that is supported through these kinds of programs is less depressed, have more confidence, and live meaningful lives.  They learn that they have gifts and can make a difference in other people’s lives. (Riverfront) 

            If a person does not have any support they might become isolated, and be at risk for being abused.  Riverfront Behavior Specialist Shawn McConaghy says that the funding cuts are a travesty because people are getting services but not at the level that will help them grow.  for example someone that needs one to one support right now may be able to build the skills necessary to be successful in the community.  If not funded she may end up not building skills not being able to eventually work in the community because they are not learned.  They might be placed in other services like institutions that are not appropriate for their needs.  A person not receiving supports might also be denied the good things in life that could and should be available to them just as they are to most people in a community.  Another problem would not being able to develop skills or losing skills due to lack of support.  If there were no centers for persons with disabilities they would have to rely on their own support networks that may or may not be healthy.  They would have to rely on their own coping mechanisms that might or might not have been learned, and rely on other people in the community to help them. 

I teach several art classes and one thing that I tell my participants when they are first starting to do art projects, is that there are never any mistakes in art.  This is so important for them to learn because a lot of their lives they have been told that there are so many things that they can’t do.  Learning this helps them build confidence in everything that they do.  I like to have my participants work with clay because it helps them improve their gross and fine motor skills which can carry over to their employment.  In every art project there are underlying lessons that they don’t even know that they are learning.  They are learning patience, how to follow steps, listening to instructions, and how to work together with other people.    

I think every person that is looking at changing this law. In wanting to close sheltered workshops, or wanting to limit certain services, they need to make sure they listen to all the collective voices.  They need to hear that participants and families would be hurt and possibly damaged if they lost services.  Work Centers, Rehabilitation, and Day Services programs are needed.  They are a right and should not be seen as a privilege.  Every person deserves respect, dignity, and support.  Every person should be able to choose their programs that are going to enhance their lives.  Plain and simple people with disabilities deserve to participate in life.