Employment First

"Enhancing Employer Engagement" three-part webinar series presented in partnership with the Kentucky Employment First Council and Project NEON.


​​​​​​​Enhancing Employer Engagement: Part 1 PowerPoint

Enhancing Employer Engagement: Part 1 Recording​

Enhancing Employer Engagement: Part 2 PowerPoint

Enhancing Employer Engagement: Part 2 Recording

Enhancing Employer Engagement: Part 3 PowerPoint​​

​​Enhancing Employer Engagement: Part 3 Recording​

​Definition of Employment First:

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, including those with the most significant disabilities.  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:

  • ​E​​​arning 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.

Employment First Timeline

Kentucky became an Employment First state on May 15th, 2018.

​Executive Order, June 29th, 2020

Senate Bill 104, signed March 24th, 2022.

Meet the Council​


​​​​Need​ more help? Contact us

Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Central Office
Mayo-Underwood Building
500 Mero Street 4th Floor NE
Frankfort, KY 40601
502-564-4440
800-372-7172 (V/TTY)

​More Information