A Capitol Idea

When people with disabilities–particularly cognitive disabilities–are ready to start thinking about finding a job, they are usually presented with a severely limited range of career choices. Many are sent to sheltered workshops where they perform repetitive tasks for subminimum wages or they are sent to various work sites as part of a crew of people with disabilities. Most of these jobs aren’t in office or professional settings, but MinnPost describes a new internship opportunity that places people with disabilities in the offices of state legislators. The interns (who have a range of physical and cognitive disabilities) perform tasks such as running errands, responding to e-mails, and organizing files. Even better, they get paid a wage that is more than pocket change. One of the senators who hosts an intern commented on how the program is changing how legislators and staff perceive people with disabilities:

They’re challenging our assumptions. We’re all finding that they can do more than we thought — much more.

Of course, not everyone can do this kind of work, but people with disabilities can and do thrive in any number of jobs that might seem beyond their capabilities at first blush. As the service and knowledge economies become more firmly entrenched, people with disabilities risk being even further marginalized if they aren’t given opportunities to learn the skills that might eventually help them land jobs in these sectors. Internships like this are excellent opportunities for people with disabilities to begin thinking about careers and to push themselves outside their comfort zones. And at a time when legislators are contemplating human services cuts, the presence of people with disabilities in and around their offices might cause them to more carefully consider the impacts of those cuts.
Thanks to Allie for the link