The First Annual Minnesota Disability and Employment Conference was held on December 1-2, 2009. Sponsored by Pathways to Employment, Minnesota’s Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG), and presented by the Minnesota Employment Policy Initiative (MEPI) and Minnesota Employment Training and Technical Assistance Center (MNTAT), the conference was attended by more than 300 participants representing varied constituencies.

The Minnesota Disability and Employment Conference used a unique format with topical presentations on foundations in customized employment practices. Topical presentations by leading experts in the field were followed by facilitated table discussions led by trained volunteers with all conference attendees.

Following the lead of Minnesota's highly successful Employment First Summits held in 2007 and 2008, the Minnesota Disability and Employment Conference was another big step in the State’s goal to build capacities and increase integrated employment in support of Minnesotans with significant disabilities using strengths-based practices. The conference challenged  all 300 attendees to work together to double the employment participation rate of Minnesotans with disabilities by the year 2015 through the development of new policies and and expansion of more effective practices.

A copy of the conference proceedings can be downloaded at the link below.