Frequently Asked Questions About Extended Employment Sheltered Workshops
What kind of disabilities do EESW program employees have?
The majority of EESW employees have been diagnosed with an intellectual and/or developmental disability or other recognized disabilities. Other recognized disabilities include mental illness, head injury, blindness, deafness, seizure disorders, and physical disabilities. Prior to being hired into an EESW program, individuals must be assessed by DESE Certification Specialists to determine whether they can work in a competitive environment at this time. If the Certification Specialist determines they cannot work competitively at this time, they will be certified by employment in EESW.
What role does the state play in the operation of EESW?
DESE provides some funding, regulations, and guidelines for the establishment and operation of EESW programs, and some technical assistance upon request; however, its role is minor in the day-to-day operation of the programs.
What do the workshops do for the community?
EESWs not only provide employment, especially for people with disabilities, but also reinvest in the community. EESWs employ for approximately 6,100 people with disabilities and approximately 900 non-disabled staff.
Payroll, purchase of goods and services, and participation in community affairs are just a few of the ways that EESW programs contribute to the community.
What can an EESW do for your business?
EESWs can provide a ready and capable workforce, production space, equipment, and product transportation. Some businesses turn over their entire operations, from inventory receipt and customer shipping to the EESW program.
This provides clear benefits for businesses by allowing them to focus on selling rather than being burdened by issues such as facilities, personnel, and overhead (e.g., utilities, insurance).
What is a intellectual or developmental disability (IDD)?
Definition: IDD stands for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, a broad term encompassing conditions that significantly impact an individual’s intellectual and/or physical development. These conditions are often present from birth or early childhood and affect an individual’s ability to learn, reason, and function in daily life.
Intellectual Disability (ID): A specific type of IDD is characterized by problems with both intellectual functioning (learning, reasoning, problem-solving) and adaptive behavior (communication, self-care, social skills).
Developmental Disabilities (DD): A broader category includes intellectual disabilities but also encompasses other conditions that affect physical or cognitive development, such as autism, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida.
Onset: IDDs typically manifest before the age of 18, although some conditions may not be fully apparent until later in childhood or adolescence.
Examples: Conditions that fall under the IDD umbrella include autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida.
Impact: IDDs can affect an individual’s ability to learn, communicate, cope with daily challenges, and participate fully in their community.
Support: Individuals with IDDs often require ongoing support and services to maximize their potential and quality of life, including special education, therapy, and community programs.
Prevalence: In the U.S., approximately 6.1 million children (birth to age 21) were estimated to have ID, autism spectrum disorder, or developmental delays in 2020. Approximately one in six children (about 17 percent) have a developmental disability, a broad category that includes intellectual disability and autism. In Missouri, the Division of Developmental Disabilities served nearly 41,000 individuals in total, including over 7,600 children/youth. The American Community survey estimates that 17 percent of people in Missouri have a disability or 1,143,690 Missourians. They also report the 194,427 of those have I/DD.
About MASWM
The Missouri Association of Sheltered workshop Managers (MASWM) is an association made up of the Missouri Sheltered workshop Managers dedicated to enhancing Missouri's extended employment sheltered workshops, programs for the people we serve and the business services we provide.
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