Delaware Employment First Oversight Commission Report

“Delaware’s Employment First Act (H.B. 319) was signed by Governor Markell on July 16, 2012.  It promotes the right that all persons with disabilities have the opportunity for competitive employment and establishes the Employment First Oversight Commission (hereafter referred to as “Commission”) under the State Council for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD).

 

“The Act recites that it is the policy of this State that competitive employment in an integrated setting shall be considered its first and priority option for people who are of working age, including people with disabilities. All state agencies that provide services and support to persons with disabilities shall follow this policy and ensure that it is effectively implemented in their programs and services. Competitive employment means work in the competitive labor market that is performed on a full-time or part-time basis in an integrated setting and for which a person with a disability is compensated at or above the minimum wage, but not less than the customary wage and level of benefits paid by the employer for the same or similar work performed by persons without disabilities.”