Which statement describes competitive employment?

• A. Competitive employment is work performed in the integrated labor market where the individual is paid at or above minimum wage and the wages/benefits are comparable to those paid for the same work by individuals without disabilities.
• B. Work performed only in a segregated workshop setting.
• C. Volunteer work with no monetary compensation.
• D. Any paid position regardless of the setting.

Answer: (A)

Competitive employment means work in the open, integrated labor market where a person with a disability is paid at or above minimum wage and earns wages and benefits that are comparable to those paid to workers without disabilities for the same work. This reflects both integration with non-disabled peers and market-rate compensation. The statement fits because it specifies a job in an integrated setting with pay and benefits that match what others doing the same work receive. It’s different from segregated workshop work, unpaid volunteer activities, or any paid position that doesn’t meet the parity and integration criteria.