National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in October brought many opportunities for stakeholders within the disability community to convene to advance access and equity. Local highlights from the month included PRIDE Industries’ first annual I AM ABLE Disability Job Fair, that included 20 companies and attracted over 600 job seekers, as well as the launch of a podcast by Meristem. The month concluded locally with the Supported Life Conference which featured self advocates and programs and best practices from throughout the state.

There is still much to do as we work toward a society that fosters a more inclusive workforce, where every person is recognized for their abilities. Featured in the issues are resources from Meristem and PRIDE Industries to help us on this journey.

Founded in 1966, PRIDE Industries’ mission is to create employment for people with disabilities, working with employers, non-profit partners, families, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities. Personalized services help each person realize their true potential and lead more independent lives through employment with PRIDE Industries and hundreds of employment partners.

PRIDE Industries offers a person-centered approach to customize each employee journey with assessment, placement, employment preparation, job skill development, and on-the-job support to improve employment outcomes for employees and employers. With decades of experience helping thousands of people with disabilities, and working with hundreds of companies to find the right fit for each person, PRIDE Industries services include:

• Professional assessment
• Individualized job preparation (resume writing, interview skills, job searching skills)
• Job placement, and training
• On-the-job support and coaching
• Work with referral sources to address any other identified barriers to employment

The business benefits of employing people with disabilities are proven. Businesses that proactively employ people with disabilities generate 28 percent more revenue and 30 percent higher profit margins than those that do not, according to Accenture.



Whether someone is a first-time job seeker, an experienced professional, or a motivated person looking to enter a new career field, PRIDE Industries offers a person-centered approach focused on job exploration and skills assessment, all while meeting each individual’s goals and setting up a support plan for long-term job success and advancement.

Individuals seeking employment can call PRIDE Industries’ I AM ABLE Helpline (844) I-AM-ABLE (426-2253) to learn about job resources available for people with disabilities in the Placer, Sacramento, and San Diego County areas.

Our community partner, Meristem–a transitional program for young adults with autism and other neurodiversity in Fair Oaks, CA–has launched a podcast to share stories and insights from people breaking workforce barriers and building real equity and inclusion.  

Tune in to Voices of Community: Neurodiversity in Life and at Work as a resource for neurodiverse people and their support systems. 

Join hosts Erin Schirm and Harrison Lane as they navigate the landscape of developing the neurodiverse workforce and share the lessons they have learned along the way.

Three episodes are available now wherever you get your podcasts. 

Find Voices of Community on Apple, Spotify, RSS feed, YouTube, and more.

Listen now

More resources for job seekers

Unless noted, events are not sponsored or endorsed by the LIFE Project.

More events can be found here: Events Calendar

If you have an event that you'd like featured, email info@lifeprojectinfo.org.

NCI Survey Results FY 21/22

November 16, 2023

4:00 pm

Zoom

Organizer: Alta California Regional Center

Free

A public meeting to review and discuss the results of the National Core Indicator Surveys for FY 21/22. The NCI survey focuses on the ACRC's services and supports.

Registration link

The College Disability Services System: Accommodations and Students' Responsibilities and Rights

December 5, 2023

4:30 - 5:30 pm

Zoom

Organizer: LD Advisory

Free

A close look at shifting laws, how the system works at college (i.e., what students have to do if they want accommodations and what their rights are), and what documentation they might need.

Zoom link

Employment First Office

California became an employment first state in 2013, yet employment of people with disabilities has continued to linger at 17% despite their ability and desire to work for wages at or above the state minimum wage. 

The Employment First Office, established July 2024, will be a permanent state office under the California Health and Human Services Agency charged with facilitating the consistent and complete interpretation and implementation of Employment First Policy across the many state agencies and departments providing services to the intellectual and developmental disabilities community. This will improve state agency and department efforts to expand employment opportunities, coordination, and reduce siloing across programs.

The Employment First Office will resolve the incomplete interpretation and implementation of California's Employment First Policy. 

The State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) is currently building a resource to support the new Office and welcomes all contributions on an ongoing basis. You can provide your input using this link. Be sure to use "Employment First" in the subject line.

Accommodation

In August, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) released the model policy on reasonable accommodation which is linked here. 

Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP)

LEAP is an alternate examination and appointment process for the recruitment and hiring of individuals with disabilities into State service. The State's Human Resources Manual has been updated to provide guidance on the appropriate utilization of LEAP employment lists. This was necessary to implement AB 1195 which affirmed the appropriateness of using LEAP for the focused recruiting and hiring of people with disabilities into state employment. Under the latest guidance, departments may prefer LEAP eligible candidates in their job advertisements and hire exclusively from a LEAP list, provided other applicants are also considered. Here is a link to the manual and a link to information on how to participate in LEAP.

Sierra College and Alta California Regional Center (ACRC) have partnered to work on the Learning Independence for Future Employment (LIFE) Project through a California Department of Developmental Services Employment Grant. LIFE Project is a Service Model Transformation Project to develop a new and expanded role for the California Community Colleges (CCCs) in the preparation, placement, and the implementation of innovative strategies and practices to increase Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to provide employment and training information resources to employers, people with disabilities, and others working with people with disabilities. 

If you have any newsletter topic requests or feedback, email us at info@lifeprojectinfo.org

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