Less than 2% of eligible disabled workers have full-time employment in Ottawa County, with part-time workers only slightly higher at 12%. While that’s comparatively high with the rest of the state, Dr. Michael Brashears, CEO of Community Mental Health Ottawa County says there’s room for improvement.
“Our folks want to work; they can work.”
The forum at Ottawa County’s government complex included the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Disability Network/Lakeshore and the West Michigan – Disability Awareness Resource Team, or DART.
Dr. Brashears says there’s been great success integrating individuals with disabilities into the community since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law in 1990.
“There are no institutions left in the state of Michigan that folks have to live in. They’re all imbedded in our communities and either residential programs or in their own homes with supports coming to them.”
Brashears also says there are more opportunities for employment for individuals with disabilities.
“So, we’ve had partnerships with tons of employers throughout Ottawa County to employ folks with different abilities and it’s been very successful.”
