Commerce Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6121
AN ACT CONCERNING A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE FOR
Title: PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
Vote Date: 3/18/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 2/16/2021
File No.: 622 (224)
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Commerce Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
HB. 6121 directs The Department of Economic and Community Development to develop a
plan to establish a workforce development pipeline program for persons with disabilities.
Individuals with disabilities face many obstacles in finding gainful employment. One of the
most significant barriers is the lack of job opportunities. These barriers have resulted in
persons with disabilities making up 12.4% of Connecticut's population but account for 30% of
those not in the labor force. Having an inclusive workforce is not only the right thing to do
from an equity perspective, but it is also the right thing to do from an economic perspective.
Businesses, and the economy as a whole, would benefit from persons with disabilities
entering the workforce.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
1. Kerri Villieres, Executive Director of the Office of Workforce Strategy, Vice Chair
of the Governors Workforce Council. Submitted written testimony about this bill.
Ms. Villieres testified about the work both organizations are already undertaking to
include persons with disabilities into their overall workforce strategy plan. In particular,
she highlighted the work of the Department of Aging and Disabilities Services and the
Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind. Additionally, Ms. Villieres points to
Governor Lamonts proposed bill SB 881, which would establish a program called
CareerConneCT and would focus on training programs that include those with physical
and mental disabilities. She notes that depending on how this bill is drafted, there
could be overlap with the previously mentioned programs.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
1. Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut: Submitted written testimony in support of this
bill. They testified about the importance of employment for individuals with epilepsy.
Individuals without access to employer health insurance find it difficult to afford their
medications. Their testimony provided statistics about how prevalent the
unemployment and underemployment problem is for individuals with epilepsy. They
urge the legislature to support the bill and improve access to employment
opportunities for all vulnerable populations, including those with epilepsy.
2. Paul Formica, State Senator, Connecticut Legislature: Senator Formica expressed
support for this bill in both written and public hearing testimony.
3. Rabab Hussain Syed: Submitted written testimony in support of this bill. As a mother
of a child with a severe intellectual disability, she feels strongly that the state develop a
system that allows individuals with disabilities a chance to find work.
4. Jack Knall: Submitted written testimony in support of this bill. In his testimony, Jack
describes how difficult it was to find a job as a college student with autism. He stresses
that there are many people like him, with a disability, that want to work. He notes that
businesses need to understand the benefits of hiring people with disabilities.
5. Tara McNeil: Submitted written testimony in support of this bill. In her testimony, Tara
describes her journey to employment as a person with a physical disability. She
emphasizes that education and opportunity are keys to changing the way Connecticut
sees disabled residents as part of the employed workforce.
6. Amy Messinger: Submitted written testimony in support of this bill. Ms. Messinger
wrote about being the mom of four young children, two of whom receive special
education support and services. In her testimony, she explains her worries about her
childrens future beyond their academic years. She also discusses the benefits of
allowing every individual in the state the opportunity to be employed. Ms. Messinger
advocates for a comprehensive policy that supports both businesses and individuals.
7. Lisa N.: Expressed support for this bill in written testimony.
8. Abiah Ruel: Submitted written testimony in support of this bill. Abiahs cousin is
disabled has a job at a pizza shop. However, they note that this would not be possible
without the support of the cousins family and that many people with disabilities do not
have the same sort of support system. Abiah discusses why the unemployment rate
for persons with disabilities is detrimental to society as a whole. Abiah urges
Connecticut to lead the way in disability inclusion in the workplace.
9. Ben Shaiken, Manager of Advocacy & Public Policy, The Alliance: Submitted
written testimony in support of this bill. The Alliance is the statewide association of
community nonprofits. They urge the legislature to include community providers in the
final language of the bill. The Alliance looks forward to working with other stakeholders
to create the program.
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10. Bob Shea & Rose Shea: Submitted written testimony in support of this bill. Bob and
Roses son Jeremiah has severe autism. They wrote about how they are trying to help
their son be in a position to work for a business and how this bill would support that
effort. They also noted that society and businesses would benefit too.
11. Noreen Simmons: Submitted written testimony in support of this bill. Ms. Simmons
wrote about the experience of her son Weller, who has autism and an intellectual
disability. She notes that what Weller will need most in the future is an opportunity to
work for the right employer. She supports this bill because it offers businesses
incentives to provide employment opportunities to citizens like her son. She believes
that employment will give her son, and many Connecticut residents, the chance to live
to their fullest potential.
12. Lisa Souza: Submitted written testimony in support of this bill. Ms. Souza wrote about
the experience of her twenty-five-year-old son with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In
particular, she recounted the incredibly frustrating experience they had with the CT
Department of Rehabilitative Services, that in her view, did a poor job of supporting
her son. For the past five years, he has been unable to find a job, even though he is
willing to work. She notes that this is just one story of someone who wants to work and
earn money to be independent; all he needs is the opportunity. Ms. Souza believes
that this bill will be instrumental in providing that opportunity to people like her son.
13. M. Jeffry Spahr, Esq., Chairman of the Legislative Committee, State Advisory
Council for Special Education: Submitted written testimony in support of this bill.
While they are supportive of the bill, there are many areas in which they need more
details for how the program would be administered. In particular, they pointed to how
the program would work in conjunction with existing ones, how the incentive program
will work, how candidate training will be provided, and the employment set-aside
provision.
14. Shawn Wooden, Treasurer, State of Connecticut: Submitted written testimony in
support of this bill. Treasurer Wooden supports the sponsors efforts to encourage
companies to hire individuals with disabilities and move the ball forward in building
inclusive workplaces for all. He also highlighted the steps the treasurers office has
undertaken to encourage companies to invest in inclusive workplaces.
15. Kim Morrison/Noelle Alix, Business Owners, BeanZ and Company: Two years
ago, Kim and Noelle started a for-profit business with a mission to be an inclusive
setting with expanded opportunities for individuals with IDD. They underscored how
being an inclusive workplace has helped their businesss bottom line. In particular,
they pointed out that younger generations of customers expect and reward corporate
social responsibility. They urged action because, in the end, it would benefit all
Connecticut residents.
16. Win Evart, Executive Director, The Arc of Connecticut: Provided written and
public hearing testimony in support of this bill. The Arc Connecticut is the states oldest
and largest advocacy organization advocating on behalf of individuals with IDD and
their families. Mr. Evart testified about the potential benefits to the state of
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 Connecticut if the bill passes, including; increase workforce diversity, a more skilled
pool of labor, and more inclusive communities.
17. Shannon Knall: Provided written and public hearing testimony in support of the bill.
Ms. Knall wrote about the experience of her almost 20-year-old with Autism Spectrum
Disorder. In particular, she wrote about their painful experience with the Connecticut
Department of Rehabilitative Services. Only after intense advocacy and multiple
meetings with different individuals was her son finally able to secure a job opportunity,
which unfortunately never happened due to COVID-19. She stressed that it was just
one unsuccessful employment story that involved a state agency. She believes that
this bill will be instrumental in providing job opportunities to people like her son.
18. Andrew Kormarow: Provided written and public hearing testimony in support of this
bill. Mr. Kormarow serves on the Connecticut ASD Advisory and Council and is the
founder of Planning Across the Spectrum, a special needs financial planning firm. Mr.
Kormarow believes that this bill only solved part of the bill. He testified about how the
fear of losing benefits scares people with disabilities from seeking employment. The
suggests that the bill requires additional incentives for individuals with disabilities
themselves and includes an education component that will explain to people how
working will affect their benefits. For this program to be successful, Mr. Kormarow
believes that outcomes be tracked so improvement can be made to it.
19. Nick Sinacori: Submitted written and public hearing testimony in support of the bill.
Nick talks about his experience as a twenty-six-year-old that has autism and is
intellectually disabled. For the past two years, he has worked at BeanZ and Company.
In his testimony, he talked about what it has been like to a part of their team. Nick
believes that everyone deserves to work and feel valued.
20. Stephen Morris, Executive Director, The Arc of the Farmington Valley: Provided
public hearing testimony in support of this bill. He discussed the unemployment rates
and the reasons behind them. According to Mr. Morris, the most significant barrier is
the lack of willing employers. He states that this is due to a lack of understanding
about the capabilities of those with IDD. He cites the inability of his organization to talk
with decision-makers within companies as a major hurdle. He believes that if this bill
helps providers get to the decision-makers within companies and encourages
employers to give it a chance, it will mitigate all the other barriers, including lack of
transportation and fear of losing benefits.
21. Clare Neseralla: Submitted written testimony in support of this bill. Ms. Neseralla talks
about her thirteen-year-old daughter with an intellectual disability, whose abilities far
outweigh her disabilities. However, Ms. Neseralla fears for her future success in the
workplace. She believes that everyone can succeed if given the support and the
chance to participate. As parents, they worry that their daughter will become isolated
without fulfilling employment and wont become a contributing member of society. She
believes that the bill will help not only her daughter but it will also help companies
become stronger and more productive.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
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None Expressed
Reported by: Peter B. Andrews Date: 3-22-21
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