Nonprofit Organizations Awarded Grants to Promote Employment of People with Cognitive Disabilities

American Rehabilitation, Autumn, 1999

The President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities has awarded four $70,000 grants to nonprofit organizations for expanding its Project EMPLOY initiative, which encourages employers nationwide to tap into local resources for hiring and training workers with cognitive disabilities.

The grantees are: The Arc of Delaware, Wilmington, DE; Best Buddies Jobs, Miami, FL; the Children's Hospital Institute for Community Inclusion, Boston, MA; and Transcen, Rockville, MD. All will use the funding to place candidates with cognitive disabilities in jobs that offer pay above the minimum wage, benefits and career potential and train local providers to further replicate the Project EMPLOY concept.

"The Project EMPLOY program battles widespread stigma faced by capable individuals with mental retardation, brain injuries, autism, and psychiatric disabilities. These organizations are making inroads for people with cognitive disabilities to be productive and valued employees," said President's Committee Chairman Tony Coelho.