Competitive Integrated Employment

Competitive Integrated Employment

What is Competitive Integrated Employment?

In the search for employment opportunities, you may have heard a term called competitive integrated employment (CIE).  Competitive integrated employment refers to a full or part-time job where an individual with a disability:   

  • is paid at or above minimum wage,  
  • receives the same level of benefits as all other employees,  
  • works in the community alongside other employees without disabilities,  
  • has opportunities for advancement.  

Competitive integrated employment is “real work for real pay” in a job that meets your needs and interests. No matter the disability, all people have a right to work in a community job they love. Indiana believes in Employment First, that employment in the community is the FIRST and Preferred outcome for everyone.

Why Community Employment?

In the past, many people with significant disabilities were mostly given the option of sheltered employment, a work environment where others with disabilities work. With improvements in knowledge and programs, we now know EVERYONE can work. Community employment is important for people with disabilities because it can help them:

  • Become more economically self-sufficient
    • Employment can help people with disabilities use their skills and become more financially independent.
  • Improve social skills
    • Working or volunteering in a community can help people with disabilities learn how to interact with others professionally and work in a team.
  • Feel a sense of belonging
    • Being part of a team can help people with disabilities feel like they belong.
  • Enhance life skills
    • Social interaction can help people with disabilities improve their cognitive functioning, emotional well-being, and life skills.
  • Contribute to a more inclusive society
    • Community integration can help create a more inclusive society. People without disabilities benefit greatly from participating in a work environment with employees with disabilities.

For more information, please see the list of resource links below. 

Competitive Integrated Employment Infographic

Definitions to Know

Competitive Integrated Employment: Full-time or part-time work in a setting that includes workers with and without disabilities. Workers who are competitively employed receive the same benefits and earn at or above the minimum wage, just as their co-workers who are not disabled do.  

Supported Employment: Refers to competitive employment in integrated settings (real jobs in real workplaces, earning real pay) that uses a variety of ongoing support services to help workers with the most significant disabilities maintain employment. 

Customized Employment: Arrangements between a worker and employer that benefit both and that focus on the strengths of the employee with a disability. Examples include adjusted schedules and work-from-home agreements. Supported employment and self-employment are forms of customized employment. 

Resources

Have a question about competitive integrated employment? You may contact us at: CCLC@iu.edu  or call (812) 855-6508.