Denying Work to Adults with Disabilities is Wrong
Column by State Senator Dale Schultz

If the measure of a civilization is how it treats its weakest, let's consider the new Doyle administration plan for several of our fellow community members - adults with developmental disabilities.

Across Wisconsin, dozens of work centers, formerly known as sheltered workshops and now called community rehabilitation programs or CRPs, provide work for thousands of adults that have mental, behavioral and sometimes physical issues making it hard for them to enter the workforce.

The system has worked well as a partnership that includes non-profits operating the work centers, the federal and state government that provide Medical Assistance (MA) funds, the local employers that provide jobs, and the individuals who do the work and their families.

But now, one of the partners, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, has proposed to undermine the system. The DHS has submitted a plan to the federal government which will end funding for about 10,000 clients to continue at a work center.

Under the DHS plan, a worker has a limited timeto become employable in the work force. After that, if they can't find a job, they are no longer eligible to work at a CRP.

Here's the reality. The staff at a CRP tries hard to prepare their clients for success in the workforce and many are able to make the transition. But 10,000 of our fellow Wisconsin residents have developmental disabilities that make it extremely difficult for them to become fullyemployable outside a CRP.

The DHS plan, prepared with zero input from other partners in the system, would have developmentally disabled adults that don't find a job either sit at home or go to a "day services program" where the focus is on recreation and socializing.

Here's why the DHS plan is terribly wrong. To the last man and woman, those 10,000 work center clients want to work. It gives them a sense of self worth. It gives them a reason to get out of bed in the morning. And, even for those who work slowly and earn a piece rate that comes out to below minimum wage, the pay check they take home on Friday is a prized source of dignity for themselves and the family members who care for them. Plus, that income is truly needed by low-income families, especially in today's economy.

Considering taxes and fees have been increased by $4.9 billion on Wisconsin residents in 2009, the DHS plan seems to me uncivilized in how it would treat the weakest among us.

It evidently didn't occur to DHS to seek a change or a waiver to new federal guidelines that preclude a CRP client from working in a work center indefinitely.

Here's the irony of the DHS plan. It is more costly to have a client at a day services program for recreation than it is to have that same person working at a work center. That's because a single staff person can supervise about 12 workers, but providing social and recreation activities requires one staff person for eight individuals. Cost savings would happen only if former workers decide instead to sit at home. That often would mean a family member has to quit a job to be at home with the adult with disabilities.

Governor Doyle should not be surprised the DHS plan is blowing up in his face. It was wrong to have his executive agency exclude all others when creating a plan. He should go to the CRPs, the workers, their families, and the other partners in the work center system. He should promise them DHS will start the process anew and in good faith develop a new plan. On behalf of us all, he should promise that Wisconsin will treat its weak - fellow community members who truly need our help - with the respect and dignity they deserve.