Definition of Employment First:
As KRS 151B.211 states, "the General Assembly finds and declares that it is the policy of the Commonwealth of Kentucky that competitive integrated employment shall be considered the first and primary option for persons with disabilities of working age who desire to become employed."
Simply put, it is the idea that everyone has the right to work!
What is Employment First?
What is Competitive Integrated Employment?
Work that is performed on a full-time or part-time basis for which an individual is:
- Earning compensation at or above minimum wage and comparable to the customary rate paid by the employer to employees without disabilities performing similar duties and with similar training and experience;
- Receiving the same level of benefits provided to other employees without disabilities in similar positions;
- Working at a location where the employee interacts with other individuals without disabilities; and
- Receiving opportunities for advancement when appropriate similar to other employees without disabilities in similar positions.
Email us at EmploymentFirst@ky.gov.
If you wish to attend an Employment First Council meeting as a member of the public, please contact Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Administrative Specialist Senior Anu Kumari.
If you wish to serve on the Employment First Council please complete the Boards and Commissions' Online Application or submit a Boards and Commissions Application to:
Anu Kumari
Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Mayo-Underwood Building
500 Mero Street
1st Floor SE
Frankfort, KY 40601
Upcoming Meetings
Quarterly Council Meeting
October 09, 2026 @ 1:00pm - 3:00pm (EST)
Location: Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Room - 136 CE, 1st Floor, 500 Mero St., Frankfort, KY 40601
Link to Join:
Meeting ID: 870 3768 0172
Passcode: 542047
Please RSVP by email before 12:00pm EST on 09/30/2026 to recieve meeting information.
Contact Anu Kumari for more information at 800-372-7172.