I Want to Start a Movement: Explore the Possibilities, Think More

Early in my professional life, I landed a pretty significant role overseeing a department that did enrollment for vocational programs. We received referrals and took phone calls from those looking for help. The program itself was part of major shift in the IDD human services industry, with a new way of planning and creating greater accountability. One of the very first questions we would ask clients or their advocates was related to the outcomes they or the person they represented — wanted to achieve. In those days the popular term was “rehabilitation goals,” and it was always phrased in a positive way. If we could help you, we would accept you and then look to see how we could help you reach your goals. Service plans were collaborative, we would lay out what we would do for clients; they would define what they would do for themselves; and then we tracked those outcomes.

In all those years, only once did an applicant tell me that they were not interested in learning a new skill or working in the fields we offered them. It was because of the gender roles that were defined within his family and he did not want to do the ‘women’s’ work. It was an understandable argument, and he really was only trying to get a position to qualify for living on his own. I must admit I did try to change his mind about what roles men and women can take on professionally as adults.

In those early years all adults were considered for work, and the overwhelming majority did have some kind of work goals. Now in 2019 the number of people who want to work is higher than the number who have an employment goals; the number of families who imagine work as an outcome for their loved one has declined; and a few more people are telling me they don’t have to do anything — men’s or women’s work!

Where did we go wrong? When did we decide that caring for someone who is able to do some things (or even all) for themselves meant doing everything for them? When did we decide that a person can choose not to grow-up? When did we stop expecting employment placement or recognizing the social, personal, and community importance of work?

There was a point in time when I was worried about Employment First initiatives; we were asking questions about employment opportunities when an individual didn’t have the ability to work. For those who could work, many chose not to or their families did not want them to work.

It’s hard to choose when someone doesn’t know all the options available to them. It’s impossible to tackle life’s big challenges without supports, hope, and encouragement. I want to start a movement, challenge everyone to grow in their abilities; expect more from them; and see what possibilities can be brought to fruition. It’s time to use our imagination to mobilize our resources, dream big!