This topic was addressed during a session at the 2026 MACDDS conference. In case you missed this session, here are some highlights of the questions we considered:

What if we stopped waiting for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to be perfectly prepared before giving them the opportunity to try something new? In employment and other areas of life, an emphasis on safety, readiness, and avoiding failure can unintentionally limit opportunities for growth. Employment First principles remind us of the importance of choice, community participation, and access to competitive integrated employment (CIE). Sometimes, the best way to build skills is not through another worksheet or simulated activity, but through real-world experiences that allow people to learn by doing. In other words, provide real experiential learning that provides the chance to blossom in real time and real life, including on the job.

Dignity of risk means supporting people to make informed choices, take measured risks, and learn from both successes and setbacks. For providers and targeted case managers, this also means reflecting on how we interpret motivation, define work readiness, and determine when someone is ready for an opportunity. When people make mistakes, are we essentially putting them in “time out” before trying again? Are our expectations helping people move forward, or unintentionally keeping them on the sidelines? How can we help families and guardians be more comfortable with the fact that success is not guaranteed and that learning from failure is worthwhile?

How can we create more space for learning, growth, and informed choice in the services we provide? Join us for an encore presentation of “Perfect Not Required, Mistakes Welcome” on January 6, 2027, from 1 to 2:30 pm CST- Register here

The Employment First Missouri team welcomes opportunities to connect with providers, targeted case managers, and other IDD professionals for training, technical assistance, and discussion on dignity of risk, employment, and other topics that strengthen person-centered services. Reach out to the team to explore how we can learn together and turn these ideas into practice.