Problems with the Sheltered Workshop Model

Research confirms that the majority of individuals with severe disabilities who need employment services fare better in supported employment than in sheltered work or other types of day services. For example, Kiernan, McGaughey, & Schalock (1986), examined segregated and integrated services and outcomes for more than 85,000 individuals served by 1,119 agencies. Quarterly earnings of sheltered workshop clients were $402.75, compared to $786.01 for individuals in supported employment, with supported employment hourly wages almost double that of sheltered work.

The Rehabilitation Services Administration, US Dept. of Education data of vocational rehabilitation Status 26 Closures for FY 1995 and 1997 also shows that supported employees earn far more wages than those in sheltered employment, with hourly earnings at closure: in sheltered services just $2.42, while supported employees earn $5.47. Supported employees earn
more weekly as well ($130.40) than sheltered employees ($61.20).

A number of other serious problems with this model of service provision have been discussed in the literature (Bellamy, Rhodes, & Albin, 1986; Brown, et al., 1984; Brown, Nietupski, & Hamre-Nietupski, 1976; Bellamy, Horner, & Inman, 1981).

1. Sheltered services are based on a continuum concept whereby people are supposed to move from one level (e.g., day activity center) to the next (e.g., sheltered workshop) and finally, to graduate to competitive employment. Studies have repeatedly shown, however, that a mere 3-5% of all people in sheltered settings actually do move into the next level in any given year (Bellamy, Rhodes, & Albin, 1986).

2. Sheltered settings typically offer a combination of piece-work and make-work. When no subcontract work is available, people perform simulated tasks, have down time when they do no work at all, or are sent home.

3. Because sheltered settings rely primarily on subcontract work, the kinds of work available rarely resembles actual jobs in the community.

4. Sheltered workshops have a built-in conflict of interest: the best workers are often needed to perform subcontract work. Thus, placement of good workers in the community could mean loss of income for the workshop.

5. Typically, people in sheltered settings are required to demonstrate "readiness" before efforts are made to place them in community jobs. The skills required to demonstrate readiness are usually based on arbitrary criteria selected by the sheltered setting.