Arizona’s Bold Step Towards Inclusive Employment
The Arizona Office of Employment First, hosted by the University of Arizona’s Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities, is making strides to ensure that community participation through integrated employment is accessible to everyone. With a guiding principle of “Real work, real pay, real respect,” this initiative is reshaping the employment landscape for individuals with disabilities.
Championing a Human Right
“Employment first is part of the Civil Rights Movement. It is a human right,” expressed Mỹ Lê Sandaine, the systems change liaison at the Sonoran Center. She emphasized the need for equal work opportunities for individuals with disabilities, highlighting the misconceptions about their capabilities. The Sonoran Center, a unit within the College of Medicine – Tucson, is among 68 federally designated centers nationwide that advocate for and assist individuals with disabilities and their families.
Collaborative Efforts Across Arizona
In partnership with the Arizona Department of Economic Security’s Vocational Rehabilitation Program and other statewide entities, the Arizona Office of Employment First is part of a broader movement. Kristen Mackey, administrator of the Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration, noted, “True systems transformation doesn’t happen overnight. System change is a long-term journey fueled by perseverance, a shared purpose, and a commitment to collaboration.”
Statewide Initiatives and Support
One of the office’s key projects, We All Work Arizona, is supported by the Vitalyst Foundation. It aims to make competitive integrative employment the standard for those eligible within the Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities. Additionally, the office collaborates with the Office of Special Education Rehabilitation Services to bolster self-employment opportunities and improve vocational training programs with the Arizona Department of Economic Security.
Jacy Farkas, executive director of the Sonoran Center, expressed the importance of integrating support for individuals with disabilities within existing care systems. “We want to see support for people with disabilities embedded into the systems of care that we engage with,” she stated, emphasizing collaboration with state agencies, community organizations, and tribal nations.
The launch of the Arizona Office of Employment First coincides with the Sonoran Center’s 20th anniversary, marking a significant milestone and paving the way for continued service to Arizona residents. Farkas remarked, “This office feels like a major milestone, and the next step is implementing employment first into our policies and resources.”
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