Why Competitive Integrated Employment Matters to Business: The Bottom Line: Learn at Lunch
Presenter: Merry-Reid Sheffer
For too long, “special” has come to mean “separate”— and the cost of segregation is borne not only by people with disabilities, but by employers as well. As we move into 2026, organizations are grappling with a growing workforce crisis driven by mass retirements and a shrinking labor pool. Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) offers a powerful, practical solution. By supporting people with disabilities to work alongside people without disabilities—earning comparable wages for comparable work—CIE expands talent pipelines while strengthening workplace culture. Join Merry Reid Sheffer, Director of Employment Services at Mattingly Edge, to explore what CIE is, why it matters, and how it’s reshaping the workforce for the better.
This event is co-hosted by TIP and the Kentucky Employment First Council. There will be an opportunity for further discussion with TIP staff immediately following the presentation.