About Missouri APSE | Employment First. Employment Now.

Employment First. Employment Now.

APSE-MO is the Missouri state chapter of the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE), a national organization committed to improving and expanding integrated employment opportunities, services, and outcomes for people experiencing disabilities. APSE-MO invites individuals with disabilities, their families, employment providers, funders, employers and others to join with us in making community employment a reality for ALL people with disabilities.

Our Board meetings are open to all members and we welcome members to volunteer for committee work. Meetings are typically held at UCP - Jefferson City on 1719 Southridge Drive.

We’re looking for additional members to advance our mission.

These include businesses, policy makers, citizens with disabilities and their families, supported employment and rehabilitation professionals, and educators… people like you.

APSE Mission & Belief Statement

Mission

To advance employment equity for people with disabilities.

Vision

All people with disabilities have competitive employment in an inclusive workforce

Values

We believe that everyone can and should work, and have the dignity of determining their career path.

Belief Statements

We believe employment is the avenue to community and economic opportunity and independence.

We believe people have the right and responsibility to control the direction of their lives.

We believe in inclusion and the opportunity for full participation in the community.

We believe supports and services should be of the highest quality, person centered, and delivered with a sense of urgency.

We believe in promoting the involvement and participation of a diverse membership.

We believe networking and leadership are key to advancing community employment.

We believe effecting public policy to promote inclusive employment is vital

We believe that community employment is possible for anyone who chooses to work.

Why Is Integrated Employment Important?

Praise for APSE

"Membership in APSE is a must for anyone interested in ensuring that persons with disabilities get real work with real pay. APSE provides evidence-based employment research, cutting-edge training conferences, and a place where advocates from all walks of life can get together to discuss employment issues."

Paul Wehman, Ph.D.
Professor of Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation and Special Education, VCU

"APSE gives me a chance to use my gift of a strong voice to show people we need to open eyes and open the doors to help other people with disabilities to get better jobs in the community. APSE is giving me a chance to show other people how they can do what they want to do."

TJ Monroe
Self-Advocate

"We have long recognized that people with disabilities can excel at work found throughout our medical center. APSE gives us a better understanding of the accommodations, adaptations and other tools we need to make this a universally acceptable workplace..."

J. Erin Riehle, MSN
Director of Disability Services, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center