Closing the employment gap for adults with I/DD requires the participation of the entire community. Here are local, state, and national resources for employers, job-seekers, and other community members.
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Work Together NC – Work Together NC is a Community Collaboration focused on the transition to adulthood for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD). They maintain a searchable list of over 200 services across North Carolina, as well as a list of IDD Inclusive Employers who have completed their training.
NC DHHS Inclusion Works Employment Assessments – The Employment Assessment will capture an individual’s strengths, interests, and employment goals, and then a Career Development Plan will be created to help them achieve their goals. Work Together NC will be conducting the Employment Assessments and drafting the Career Development Plans.
Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities – Formerly known as VR (Vocational Rehabilitation), this NC DHHS division helps people with disabilities achieve their goals for competitive employment and independent living.
NEXT for Autism – They operate an initiative that provides companies with the tools and resources they need to be neuroinclusive.
Small businesses: Entrepreneurship the answer for some with autism – Interview with Gregg and Lori Ireland, Extraordinary Ventures co-founders, about small businesses founded by autistic adults.
Six lessons for job seekers with autism, and those without – San Francisco Chronicle article with job seeking tips.
B3 Coffee – B3 Coffee is a nonprofit that provides community-integrated social and vocational opportunities for people of all abilities. Find B3 Coffee at the Chapel Hill Public Library and local pop ups. Fill out their New Member form to get involved!
Blawesome – A Chapel Hill-based flower farm and design studio that offers locally grown organic arrangements. Their farm is owned and co-operated by a young man living with autism. Blawesome offers CSA subscriptions, including one with pick up at Blue Hill Event Center.
Esteamed Coffee – Esteamed Coffee is a coffee shop in Cary, NC with a mission to create meaningful job opportunities for people with intellectual, developmental, communication, and/or visual impairments. They exist to connect employees with disabilities to the community at large in a warm, welcoming environment. Esteamed Coffee also uses their space to showcase the work of local artists with disabilities, including Extraordinary Gifts.
Popcorn for the People – Popcorn for the People is a nonprofit that employs adults with autism. Their focus is on respect, equal wages, and career advancement opportunities for their entire neurodiverse team. All proceeds from their gourmet popcorn directly support their neurodiverse workforce and are reinvested to increase production capacity to create more employment opportunities.
HANDmeUPs Thrift Store – Located in Raleigh, NC, HANDmeUPs Thrift is a nonprofit created to provide employment and volunteer opportunities to individuals with Autism and other developmental disabilities. The thrift store provides a work environment where individuals can master specific tasks and be successful employees.
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AKALAKA – AKALAKA connects caregivers of a family member or friend with disabilities with the supports and resources they need to sustain long-term care for their loved one to live at home and in the community.
Alliance of Disability Advocates – ADA strives to enable people with any disabilities to fully participate in their communities without boundaries. Services include peer support, independent living training, referrals, and employment counseling, among many others.
Autism Society of North Carolina – Among other resources and services, ASNC offers guidance and support to families to prepare for the transition to adulthood.
Autism Support and Advocacy Center – A Durham-based organization with a mission to enable and empower the Autistic and Neurodivergent community through the principles of Disability Justice.
Chapel Hill Parks & Rec Specialized Recreation – The Adapted Recreation and Inclusion program provides both specialized activities for individuals with disabilities and support / accommodations for those who may need assistance to participate in any appropriate Parks & Rec activity.
Disability Rights North Carolina – A legal advocacy agency that helps people with disabilities protect their civil rights. They offer free services for cases involving discrimination, abuse, and other rights violations.
First In Families of North Carolina – Supporting individuals with developmental disabilities or traumatic brain injuries and their families with the resources they need to believe in their dreams, achieve their goals, connect in their communities, and give back to others.
HEELS 2 Transition – Offers programs at UNC-Chapel Hill designed to support people with IDD during the transition to adulthood, including HEELS UP and HEELS Prep.
HOPE NC and L’Arche – Inclusive communities in formation where adults with and without intellectual disabilities share life and friendships.
Journey League – Year-round basketball league for teens and adults with disabilities and special needs. Their goal is to build community for their athletes and their families.
PACID – PACID is a grassroots organization of over 180 families with adult children who have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
Peacehaven Farm – A community farm in Whitsett, NC with a mission to connect people of all abilities through shared living, learning, work, and play.
Reality Ministries – Reality Ministries fosters friendships amongst people of all abilities marked by mutuality, authenticity and the reality of Christ’s love for all.
Self Direction Coalition of North Carolina – An organization that empowers individuals and families to use self-direction as the service delivery model for NC Medicaid Waiver services.
Special Olympics Orange County – Providing year round sports training and athletic competition for adults and children with intellectual disabilities in a variety of sports, including basketball and track.
The Arc of North Carolina Triangle Region – Providing people with IDD and their families the support and services needed to be fully engaged in their communities.
Triangle Disability & Autism Services (formerly the Arc of the Triangle) – Supports children and adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities [IDD] in the achievement of their personal goals and dreams in our community through partnership and advocacy.
We Will Walk with You – Helping families of children and young adults with disabilities thrive in community. They offer workshops, resources, research, and referrals.
ABLE Savings – Savings & investment accounts for people with disabilities. NC ABLE allows eligible individuals to save without impacting eligibility for SSI or Medicaid.
Alliance Healthcare – Tailored Plan, Innovations, and Medicaid Waiver LNE/MCO for Orange, Durham, and Wake Counties.
Meet the Need NC – An initiative funded by the NC Council on Developmental Disabilities to promote systemic change for IDD community services and supports. Their particular focus is on the Registry of Unmet Needs for those on the Medicaid Innovations Waiver waiting list.
NC Council on Developmental Disabilities – The Council works to improve the opportunities and lives of those with IDD through advocacy, capacity building, and systems change.
Inclusive Employment Summit Presentations
Employment Resource Packet for Self Advocates and their Families and Service Providers
Extraordinary Ventures
200 S. Elliott Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
info@extraordinaryventures.org
Extraordinary Ventures is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
EIN: 11-3808390.
