Legislators Urged to Require Businesses Receiving State Aid to Include People with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities In Their Workforce

The Connecticut legislature is considering a proposal that would require businesses receiving financial assistance from the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to make “good faith efforts to employ persons with autism spectrum disorder or intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

The bill was the subject of a Commerce Committee public hearing on March 10, just before the legislature pushed the pause button on the session due to the coronavirus pandemic. More than two dozen individuals filed testimony in support of the proposal.  It is uncertain when legislative committees will meet again to vote on proposals that are pending. 

“Increased employment of this currently underutilized portion of our work force is, in every way imaginable, in the public interest.  People with I/DD and on the autism spectrum want to work, can work, and should work. A job for anyone - including those with disabilities – promotes independence and self-esteem while at the same time creating new taxpayers and lessening the need for governmental assistance,” West Hartford resident Tom Fiorentino told the Committee. Fiorentino’s 29-year old son has been employed part-time, and “in the over 4 years he has been employed, he has benefited. And so has his employer.”

Marlborough resident Heather Dierberger, who works at MARC Community Resources and is the parent of a child with autism, told the Committee that “Employment also provides the necessary stability and consistency and further connects individuals who are far too often excluded from their immediate communities. Many employers often value the reliability, detail orientated and trustworthiness our individuals have in the work force.”

Co-sponsors of the legislation, House Bill 5419, include Rep. Christine Palm, 36th Dist.; Rep. John K. Hampton, 16th Dist.; Rep. Tammy R. Exum, 19th Dist.; Rep. Leslee B. Hill, 17th Dist.; Rep. Antonio Felipe, 130th Dist.; Rep. Kerry Szeps Wood, 29th Dist.; Rep. Bill Buckbee, 67th Dist.; Rep. Christine Conley, 40th Dist.; Rep. Noreen S. Kokoruda, 101st Dist. and Sen. Derek Slap, 5th Dist. In addition, Sen. Cathy Osten testified in support of the bill.

Ellyn Little, a Tolland resident with I/DD, testified that “It is incredibly difficult to find a job. I am looking right now and it is challenging. Employers are not aware of our potential and are thinking with old beliefs.  I want to be independent, a consumer, a taxpayer and community member. I can’t do any of these things without a job that pays me a competitive wage. This way I can pay my rent, bills and food costs without being a burden on society. I have a lot to offer I just need employers to see my potential.”

Norwalk Deputy Corporation Counsel Jeffry Spahr, whose 19-yer-old son has autism and ADHD, pointed out that “a remarkable thing happens when those young adults with autism are given an honest shot at meaningful employment – they do a great job at it thus benefiting everyone.”  In urging support for the legislation, he added that “Helping to add productive employees to the workforce and reducing their dependence on social programs can only be considered a positive thing for our State.”

“The challenge is finding businesses willing to make the initial step and take a chance on someone with an intellectual disability,” explained Canton resident Fran Traceski, whose daughter has an intellectual disability, and is currently employed. “The unemployment rate for people with I/DD is more than 60% and perhaps as high as 80%. Mostly, I would argue, due to hiring managers’ fear of something they don’t really understand.”  Traceski added, “You simply cannot find people who work harder or bring more love to what they do.”

There does not appear to have been testimony on behalf of the Governor’s Committee on Employment of People With Disabilities.  Their mission is to promote the employment of people with disabilities and to consult with and advise the Labor Commissioner.  The objective of the Committee, according to its webpage, is to develop programs and initiatives to increase statewide employment opportunities of people with disabilities.

The December 5 meeting of the Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities had 11 members or their designees present and 34 listed as absent, according to the meeting minutes.  Minutes are not yet available for their most recent meeting, which was scheduled for February 24, when the legislative proposal could have been discussed.