Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Sheltered Workshops? Yay or Nay?
During the 1950s sheltered workshops became very popular because they housed those with disabilities and placed them minimally in job situations.Before then those with disabilities were either left at home with nothing to do or were placed in institutions. This concept arose for disabled persons to get out in the world and gain some experience working. But with modern changes should they still be placed in these environments? Do they help the workplace (Article 1)? Or are there better options in which everyone involved will benefit more (Article 2)?
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For this, I think there are two sides to the extreme. I fully support that people with disabilities be in the work force so that they gain independence and experience; however, if they are being placed there because of their disability, I do not necessarily agree. There are certain places where it is easier for groups of people with disabilities to work together and as long as they are still treated like employees and are given the respect they deserve, I do not think there is anything wrong with them all working together. I also believe that places for people with disabilities to go work is a good place just to start. Once they have worked there for a while and learned new skills, then, if they want, they can move on. At my current job, I work with a boy who autism and it is such a joy working with him. The bosses were talking about moving him somewhere else, and all the people on our crew were super upset and talked to our bosses and pleaded with him that he not be moved. Everyone benefits from having people with disabilities around!!!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Julia. I think that these articles are the two extremes of the case. I personally believe that if a person with disabilities is capable of working that it is beneficial for them to work with those without any disabilities. It gives them more confidence in their abilities and it is less likely for them to be taken advantage of. However, I do not think that it is a bad thing to have a group of people with disabilities working together. They can be just as likely to succeed if the jobs that they are doing are giving them life skills and helping them improve. The goal is for people with disabilities to live a life that is full of joy and fulfillment. I do not think that it matters so much where they work or what they do as long as they are happy and they feel like they are accomplishing something and their needs are being met.
ReplyDeleteThe articles do seem to be polar opposites, but both I felt raised good points. I think that it's important that pepole with disabilities are provided employment opportunities. Obviously the types of employment offered will vary just as the level of ability varies amongst people. I think that for some, a job in a sheltered workshop is perfect as it allows them the social atomosphere and sense of accomplishment described in article 1. Often however, individuals with disabilities (and people in general) are labled and then held to that label for what things they can and cannot learn. Opportunities for growth should be available to all people.
ReplyDeleteIf it is true that employees of some sheltered workshops are being paid 50% of minimum wage, I strongly believe that that needs to end. It's one thing to outsource employment to other nations where lower wages can be paid because the lower wage is still above the national average for that nation. It's another thing to pay less than the legal minimum wage in this nation simply because a company can apparently get away with it by taking advantage of people. Without getting too passionate and basing strong opinions on something I lack more information on, I'll leave it at that.
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ReplyDeleteI believe that the workshops were well meant but might be outdated now. There are many job opportunities for people with disabilities and different agencies and organizations willing to help those with disabilities secure jobs working with people without disabilities. For example, the organization of Best Buddies has a specific program to integrate people with disabilities in the work force. By keeping people with disabilities segregated from society in this aspect, we are not allowing people without disabilities to get to know people with disabilities and are thus perpetuating fears and misconceptions. People learn by interactions, not by reading or trying to educate themselves. By interacting with people with disabilities in the work force, those without disabilities can learn more about the disability, but more important about the person with the disability.
ReplyDeleteI completely am for people with disabilities being included in the work force. I worked at ATEC for the last year which is a place for high school age students and adults with disabilities. I was a job coach. I helped train them on skills they would need in the work force. Also our adult program was funded by many companies from around the area. These companies gave these individuals a reason to get up in the morning. Some would be filling bags with parts for various companies,some would be cleaning various things, and some did laundry for the rec centers around town. Also we had many that we placed in jobs around the community and outside of our facility, such as, the library, UVU, and various food places. They loved their job!! They were proud of themselves and tried their best to do well. I disagree with the 2nd article in saying that these types of places are no better than institutions. There are some better facilities than others yes, but for the most part they are doing their best to create a work environment that the individuals are excited about and eager to come to. The only thing I disagree with is what they get paid. They are under paid and the government gets away with it because they say their abilities are not comparable to those without disabilities. They work hard and I have seen it and they deserve more money. Their pay though is a whole other issue by itself.
ReplyDeleteI kind of feel like a broken record, but again, as with so many cases in Special Education: It depends on the individual! I think that a work setting can be really beneficial for some individuals that are able to do safe, supervised tasks. However, for others, as the second article suggested, it may seem like they are being taken advantage of and their specific needs aren't being met. I think it is really neat to see and hear about cases where individuals succeed in a more integrated setting, where they aren't isolated from society, but can still contribute meaningfully. However, some individuals really do need more supervision and structure and they would do better in a more contained work environment. And still others, are not at a level that they understand what is being asked of them and so it is more like forced labor and is taking advantage of them. There is a balance to be reached among all these situations and it is important (as always!) to look at the needs of the individual and judge what would be the most beneficial and safest environment for them and those working around them. In any case, all individuals need to be given the same working considerations given to any employee (reasonable salary for their abilities, breaks, safety, etc.)
ReplyDeleteI am a believer in finding the happy medium. I get frustrated with extremists because nothing is ever that clear: black and white are rarely untainted with the other so shades of gray seem to be the most common thing. This case is no exception. There are pros and cons to both and I think finding a happy medium is ideal and that the idea of finding a least restrictive environment applies to the workforce as well as in the classroom. Every situation should be catered around the individual. But in general, I feel that the people with disabilities need to be given opportunities to work with everyone else and not be only restricted to working with others that have disabilities. It really just depends on a case by case basis and I like the idea of having a little of both sides mixed together.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think this is a black and white issue. I believe that it really depends on the individual. For someone who is severely disabled, I believe that a sheltered workshop would probably be a better fit so there is more supervision and not such a stressful environment if a mistake was to occur. I do think, however, having disabled individuals in the work place is a great thing and should increase. I worked with an Autistic young adult who worked at the Orem City Library every morning. When I would pick him up after to do activities, he would tell me about it. He would shelve books, put away movies, etc. It gave him work experience as well as increased his social skills. This is a situation that needs to revolve around the individual. Whatever the least restrictive environment for an individual is, be it working in a workshop or in the community, then that is what they should choose.
ReplyDeleteI think that we need to look at this a different way than the article present. It isn't whether or not people with disabilities should work in sheltered workshops or not. Rather, we should ask what will most benefit each INDIVIDUAL. There are benefits of both situation but one or the other won't be right for everyone. Some may do really well working with others with disabilities. Others may benefit from working in a typical environment. Each individual needs to be placed in the best place for them personally.
ReplyDeleteThere also needs to be room for growth. Perhaps at one point a sheltered workshop would be the most beneficial environment for someone, but as they learn and grow they might benefit from moving into the regular workforce.
This is definitely a hard topic to deal with. My parents still have no idea what they are going to do with my sister when she graduates from high school. Article 1 makes the workshop seem pretty beneficial. It is offering those with disabilities an opportunity to work when it is extremely difficult for them to find jobs. I don't think anyone can say that workshops are entirely bad or entirely good--they are definitely subjective. I think the workshop in Article 1 was based on good intentions by a reverend. It was obviously established for the sole purpose of giving them the opportunity to work when they could easily do the same jobs with machines. However, I'm sure there are many workshops out there that use the situation as a way to get cheap labor. I absolutely disagree with the law that says some employers have the right to pay some individuals less than minimum wage if they have low productivity. Just because their disability prevents them from accomplishing tasks slower than others does not mean they are not giving their full effort to their jobs. They are doing the best they can with the abilities that they have. Overall, I think that workshops are a good thing, BUT they NEED to be audited and inspected on a regular basis to ensure that it is a good, healthy environment for those who work there. We definitely shouldn't get rid of workshops...there is always a need for more jobs for those who are disabled.
ReplyDeleteI believe that if found worthy to perform certain work at these workshops then they should still be placed in these environments. I've found that one of the main objectives, just like those of their peers after high school, is to seek independence. Like the ATEC program here in Utah, it helps them to do just that. It doesn't mean, however, that they should be doing those same tasks for the rest of their lives at the same workplace. They just spent twelve or more years developing the skills that they now use and they shouldn't stop being taught how to become a more functional part of our society.
ReplyDeleteI am torn I really like that they provide those that have disabilities with jobs. These gives them a chance to gain independence and to learn what it is like to work in the real world. This is great for those with disabilities in high school some of the students in the special needs classroom as one of there classes they would go to ATEC and they got to work at different places that they were interested in. It is a great program and it provides them with great skills that they can use in life. Along with how greAt this is I do not agree that employers can pay less then minimum wage to those who have low productivity. Those who have a disability should have the same opportunities as everyone else. If they can perform the task they should be paid at least minimum wage.
ReplyDeleteAll in all I think places that help provide those with disabilities is great.
Both of these articles raise valid points. On one hand those sheltered workshops could be very beneficial for those with disabilities. It can give them a place to go and feel like they are apart of something. However, although I am certainly not imposed to it, I agree with others in that it seems a little out dated. I feel like if the person with a disability is capable of working in the everyday work force they should be able to. Not that these workshops would limit their success, but I feel like placing them in the everyday work force would be really beneficial for them. It would continue to teach them much needed life skills and I feel like it would only increase their success and their feelings of self worth. And while those with disabilities benefit from it, so do the others around them.
ReplyDeleteI definitely support people with disabilities in the workforce. I do believe that there is an extreme in both situations. On one hand, the sheltered workplace could pay too minimally and not provide enough for a decent living. On the other hand, they could require far too much work for an individual with disabilities to perform. In these situations, problems are based on having an unrighteous leader. I believe that a workplace can provide good, healthy work for a regular pay. An awesome example of this is the MTC. I worked in the cafeteria and there is a dish room crew of people with disabilities. This kind of sheltered workplace was effective because the employees feel a sense of connection with each other and they make friends with similar challenges. These employees are payed well for their work and are able to save up money for trips or activities. It is a wonderful system.
ReplyDeleteWhile I admire those who start sheltered workshops becuase they truly want to help individuals with disabilities, I think it's an outdated idea. I think that it is a very restrictive environment for these people that are capable of much more. I agree with the statement in the 2nd article that called it a dead-end job. What I think is a much better system are organization such as RISE Chrysallis, Turn, Step-Up etc. that help individuals with disabilities find regular jobs within the community. I had the opportunity of working for RISE and I took people to jobs at PetSmart, McDonalds, as well as secretarial positions in the RISE offices. This gave them the opportunity to gain work skills and work in the community while earning money to support themselves and learn life skills.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting topic that I had not heard of before but I actually have to disagree with some of the other comments. Although I do not know too much about Sheltered Workshops, I'd have to do some more research to be sure, but from first look at the first article they do not seem to be a bad thing, many people with disabilities do need job training and need to get use to working. I think too often nowadays there are not enough opportunities for people with disabilities in the work force and I am a huge advocate for them to have jobs. I think many of the people with disabilities would probably enjoy the workshops and enjoy working there with people that they feel comfortable with. I admit that if they are being exploited then these workshops are obviously not a good thing, and complete segregation from the community without disabilities is not good either however I know of many people with disabilities that would enjoy a program liek this and as long as they are not being exploited I do not see a huge problem with them. I admit that the 2nd article raised some issues about the underpaid employees and the extreme segregation however it is not just people with disabilities that experience this, women, and ethnic minorities are also exploited and under paid in the workforce, so limiting this issue to just people with disabilities is being very narrow minded, this is a much larger issue. So for now my opinion is that we do our best to avoid exploitation and pay the workers a decent wage, but as logn as they are happy let the programs conintue
ReplyDeleteI believe that workshops for people with disabilities can be a great opportunity for the person with the disability if implemented properly. For the company I work for, many of the clients work in workshops designed for people with disabilities. For many of the clients it is beneficial because their disability restricts them from succeeding in a different work field. But I have seen for others it is doing them no good. Many times there are so many people with disabilities in each workshop with limited people helping them they are gaining nothing from this experience. If implemented correctly, I think workshops can help the individuals develop great life skills. But when you are having an individual who is higher functioning color the entire time, (which coloring is great..but not for the entire day when they are capable of doing other things), they are not benefitting. I believe we should give each individual a chance to go out in the work field instead of a workshop and if they aren't successul there, placing them in a workshop is a good idea.
ReplyDeleteI believe that people with disabilities should be included in the work force. There are many small jobs they are able to do many different jobs they are capable of. I work at the creamery outlet and there is a man that works in the back that has some form of mental retardation. He is in charge of taking out the trash and cardboard and he does a fantastic job. He is also the friendliest man that works there and has almost every bodies name and makes sure to always say hello along with constantly complementing people. He makes working there so much more enjoyable and it would not be the same with out him. I also think its a great opportunity for those with disabilities to have some sort of a job because its a good social opportunity for them, its better than having them sit at home with nothing to do. Also when they have some kind of a job because it can help them grow and progress.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that people with disabilities should be included in the work force. I currently work with a man with a learning disability. Coming from a management position, I can understand the frustration that sometimes comes along with having an employee with a disability. It can sometimes be hard when the individual cannot pick up the skill as fast as you need/want them to. But as I have pointed out to the rest of the management team (they all wanted to cut his hours because he wasn't fast enough, I told them to put him on all my shifts and I would actually train him the way he needed to be) that even those with disabilities in the work force can still be a benefit to the company.
ReplyDeleteI think it is awesome to have those with disabilities employed in the work force. They are able to feel a sense of accomplishment and are able to feel like they belong in the community.