Ten organizations and nonprofit agencies have been awarded funding of up to $200,000 each toward their plans to implement creative ways to help people with disabilities join the workforce.
Specific grant amounts will be determined after the selected grantees’ strategic plan submissions are reviewed.
“As many employers already know, people with disabilities can be among the most valued workers in a company or organization when given the chance to put their skills to good use,” Gov. M. Jodi Rell said in a statement. “The challenge is to overcome the barriers that stop many people from getting jobs in the first place. Our goal is to foster a job market in Connecticut that is more inclusive than our current environment – one that brings together more people with disabilities and employers in mutually beneficial ways.”
Designed to extend the reach of the state’s recently-launched Connect-Ability initiative on a local level, organizations from throughout Connecticut answered the Department of Social Services’ Bureau of Rehabilitation Services’ request for qualifications call in early November.
Successful bidders in the Greater Hartford area include: Oak Hill/New England Assistive Technology Center in Hartford, East Hartford, West Hartford, Bloomfield, Windsor, Wethersfield, New Britain, Farmington and Avon; Padres Abriendo Puertas (Parents Opening Doors) in Hartford and New Britain; Futures Inc. in Hartford; Capitol Region Education Council in the Bloomfield and Rocky Hill Public Schools.
