Inclusive employment means that every person with a disability who wants a job is employed. Individuals with a disability have the right to work at jobs they enjoy, to earn a fair wage, and to feel valued as employees. Inclusive employment is not volunteer work or volunteer training.

What is Inclusive Employment?

Inclusive employment is when individuals with a disability have paid jobs:

• In the community and work beside coworkers who don’t have a disability.
• Where all employees doing the same job get the same pay. The employee with a disability is not paid less money because of having a disability.
• Reasonable flexibility and support on the job is available for employees.

When employees are included at the workplace the same way as any other person who works there, they feel like they belong, feel respected by employees and are included in work related activities such as work parties or work dinners with coworkers outside of work.

People with a disability have:

• The right to work
• The right to "Real Work for Real Pay"
• The right to be supported to work
• The right to earn a competitive wage and benefits
• The right to employment supports and accommodations
• The right to spend their money where they want to spend it
• The right to look after their own needs - like paying for rent, groceries, and fun things (like going to the movies)