(February 5, 2010) The California Chamber of Commerce is educating businesses about WE Include, an initiative launched by First Lady Maria Shriver to give people with developmental disabilities the opportunity to join California’s workforce.
WE Include raises awareness of resources that address the needs of the developmentally disabled community and works to enable persons with developmental disabilities to live fulfilling and purpose-filled lives by gaining meaningful employment.
The WE Include program is a partnership with the California First Lady’s Office, the Department of Developmental Services, the Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA), and others. The program facilitates the employment and training of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Publication/Video
As part of this outreach effort, the WE Include website offers informational resources to help employers learn about myths and realities involving people with developmental disabilities.
One publication, Disability: Dispelling the Myths, explores several myths associated with employing people with developmental disabilities.
Also featured on the WE Include site is a video highlighting California businesses that have hired individuals with developmental disabilities, with an introduction by First Lady Maria Shriver.
Hiring Resources
Employers interested in adding persons with developmental disabilities to their workforce can tap several resources for additional information:
- Local regional centers throughout California coordinate services for individuals with developmental disabilities and can connect businesses with these qualified potential employees, as well as arrange for on-the-job training and support.
- ARCA represents regional centers in California that provide services to more than 200,000 Californians with developmental disabilities. Regional centers are non-profit organizations that contract with the state Department of Developmental Services.
More information about hiring is available from ARCA via its website, www.arcanet.org/weinclude, e-mail: employ@arcanet.org, or telephone (916) 446-7961.
ARCA will connect employers with the regional center employment specialist in their area and provide additional information about WE Include.