Stop the Closure of Sheltered Work Environments in New York State

These workshops need to stay open. Our folks need a reason to get up in the morning!!!!!!!!!

My son attends a workshop program here in Walton NY and he benifits greatly from all they are teaching him to be able to go into the community for work but he is not ready, this young and old adults need this structure. He takes great pride in what he does at the work shop and he feels very safe and comfortable within his setting. It is really a sad thing. Many that are making these decisions have no idea what the impact will be. There needs to be many options for these individuals they are not all made from the same mold. My son is VERY upset!!!

very important

We have many individuals that for various reasons never become competitively employed. This seems the goal of many ill informed Legislators. These good men and women working in sheltered or supported setting are however gainfull employed. This potential legislation has the proverbal "unintended consequences".

In a world of opportunities, New York State continuously takes away opportunities from people with disabilities. Sheltered Workshops provide a safe working environment, to those who may not find employment in the community. Keep the Workshops!

not a very well thought plan. coming from communities that have limited employement opportunities. Our kids have to relocate in order to make it period. Not sure what the plan will be for those in smaller communities

We need these employment opportunities

Some of the individuals affected by this change can have a mental age as young as 4 years old. Members of this population are too vulnerable to be moved to a mainstream position.

I am against the closure of sheltered workshops

I am the mother of two boys with Intellecual Disabilies and if you close down Sheltered Work Environments my boys will not be able to sunstain employment anywhere!!!!! To sit home everyday all day is not giving my boys quality of life!!! My boys are not able to sucure employment elsewhere because of their Intellecual Limitations!!

I have witnessed first hand the positive effect that gainful employment has on people with disabilities.

Please do not cut the funding for sheltered workshops in New York State. Our most vulnerable citizens will be devastated and not feel lthey are a part of society without work in their life.

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Scared to death to see what will become of

Stop the Closure of Sheltered Work Environments in NYS

As a Production Supervisor in a sheltered work shop for 28 years, I have seen many changes. Of course the ideal for individuals with disabilities would be outside employment and our agency is dedicated to helping those who are able, achieve that goal. The reality is that many of the individuals we serve need the workshop. They take pride in the work they do, and the atmosphere is comfortable to them in that many have also worked here for many years. Many of the disabilities are so severe that outside employment is not an option. Where will those people end up if not for the sheltered workshop?

The work centers are so beneficial to everyone, please help protect them.

A family member of mine works in a sheltered workshop, and she has found a sense of pride, responsibility, and personal dignity through this experience.

I agree that many individuals can and should move on from sheltered workshops, but eliminating the shops altogether will harm a significant portion of those working there.

Make a visit to a sheltered workshop or a jobsite that hires the handicapped people & see just what it is that they do & how important it is to keep these people working.