Competitive Integrated Employment

Competitive integrated employment (CIE) is the primary goal of the vocational rehabilitation (VR) program. It refers to work in typical community settings where individuals with disabilities work alongside coworkers without disabilities and earn comparable wages and benefits for similar work. These jobs offer the same opportunities for interaction, career growth, and advancement found in the broader labor market.

CIE is important because meaningful work strengthens financial independence, builds confidence and skills, and supports full participation in community life. When individuals with disabilities have access to competitive employment, businesses gain talented employees, workplaces become more inclusive, and communities grow stronger through a more diverse and engaged workforce.

What is the WIOA Definition of CIE? 

1. "Competitive, integrated employment" is defined as work that:
   
   1. Is performed on a full-time or part-time basis (including self-employment) and for which an individual is compensated at a rate that -
      
      1. Is not less than the higher of the rate specified in section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)) or the rate required under the applicable State or local minimum wage law for the place of employment;
      2. Is not less than the customary rate paid by the employer for the same or similar work performed by other employees who are not individuals with disabilities and who are similarly situated in similar occupations by the same employer and who have similar training, experience, and skills; and
      3. In the case of an individual who is self-employed, yields an income that is comparable to the income received by other individuals who are not individuals with disabilities and who are self-employed in similar occupations or on similar tasks and who have similar training, experience, and skills; and
      4. Is eligible for the level of benefits provided to other employees; and
2. Is at a location –
   
   1. Typically found in the community; and
   2. Where the employee with a disability interacts for the purpose of performing the duties of the position with other employees within the particular work unit and the entire work site, and, as appropriate to the work performed, other persons (e.g., customers and vendors), who are not individuals with disabilities (not including supervisory personnel or individuals who are providing services to such employee) to the same extent that employees who are not individuals with disabilities and who are in comparable positions interact with these persons; and
3. Presents, as appropriate, opportunities for advancement that are similar to those for other employees who are not individuals with disabilities and who have similar positions.

(Authority: Sections 7(5) and 12(c) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; 29 U.S.C. 705(5) and 709(c)) --- (consider referencing RSA’s recent slides on their website from recent WIOA conferences)