Competitive, Integrated Employment (CIE) is a vital concept for educators working with students with disabilities. CIE is also referred to as community integrated employment, inclusive community employment, competitive integrated work, or simply, integrated employment. These terms aren’t buzzwords; they're frameworks for building a successful future for your students.

CIE refers to a job that:

• is located within the community,
• offers minimum wage or above pay,
• provides the opportunity to work alongside non-disabled peers, and
• includes opportunities for advancement.

Key Components to Know

Competitive: Employees with disabilities performing the same work at the same level receive equal wages and benefits, including health insurance and paid time off, as their colleagues without disabilities, regardless of whether they are full-time or part-time. What is offered to one part-time or full-time employee is offered to all according to employer policies. Reasonable accommodations are provided as needed, which may include assistive technology or equipment adjustments. CIE includes opportunities for career advancement. As an educator, you can help students understand that they’re capable of performing work at the same level as their peers.

Integrated: Employees work together in the same physical space, fostering social interaction and teamwork. Integration moves beyond physical presence, meaning that individuals with disabilities are not isolated or separated from their colleagues within the workplace. Encourage students to participate in collaborative projects and transition meetings. This is where their social skills, communication, and teamwork truly shine. You can prepare them for CIE by creating similar opportunities in the classroom.

Employment: A wide variety of jobs are available within every community. Many businesses cultivate positive and inclusive workplace cultures. Students can receive ongoing support from an adult agency, such as job coaching, skills training, or job adaptations. To help students explore their options, refer them to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR).

Benefits of CIE include:

• Employer-paid benefits
• Improved quality of life
• Financial empowerment
• Skill development
• Social connections

By focusing on CIE, you are not just preparing students for a job; you are preparing them for a fulfilling and meaningful life. For more information, review the Center on Community Living and Careers (CCLC) webpage dedicated to CIE.

Bonus Tip:

Join us for the “From Transition IEP Knowledge to Portfolio Application” webinar series. These trainings consist of six separate sessions, each lasting one and a half hours. They focus on the quality aspects of each section of the Transition IEP and how these sections relate to a quality transition portfolio. Each session will cost $35 and run from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm ET.

Upcoming dates:

• October 22: Transition IEP and Transition Portfolio Intersections – Present Levels
• October 29: Transition IEP and Transition Portfolio Intersections – Transition Assessments and Postsecondary Goals
• November 5: Transition IEP and Transition Portfolio Intersections – Transition Services and Activities
• November 12: Transition IEP and Transition Portfolio Intersections – Annual Goal Statements
• November 19: Quality Transition Portfolio Format, Uses, and Examples
• December 3: Transition IEP and Transition Portfolio Work Session Breakout Rooms

To register for these upcoming webinars, visit the INSTRC Training and Technical Assistance webpage.