Supported Employment

The unemployment rate for people with disabilities is 70%.  Didlake is a leading provider of support services that help people with disabilities to beat the odds and find meaningful employment.

Our Process
Didlake’s careful assessment process ensures that the right individuals are matched to the right opportunity – so they will be there for the long term.  Experienced Employment Specialists provide job training and consultation that gives employers confidence and lets employees grow and expand their skills.  Individual employees receive customized support ranging from assistance with transportation to help completing the paperwork required for security clearances.

Our Programs

Individual Supported Employment
Through this program, people with disabilities are matched to competitive job openings with area businesses and become employees of that business.  Didlake assists the business with screening, job training and continuing support (at no cost to the business).  Regular contact with the employer, the individual’s family and co-workers fosters success.  With its Individual Supported Employment program, Didlake has matched employees to jobs with hundreds of employers – from Wal-Mart to the World Bank.  
View our Quality Measures for this program.

Group Supported Employment
With Group Supported Employment, people with disabilities work alongside non-disabled employees in community businesses or government agencies, while remaining on Didlake’s payroll.  Didlake provides on-site supervision, training, counseling, advocacy and support.  Many participants in this program work at federal government locations such as the Pentagon, Department of Energy and the Food and Drug Administration. View our Quality Measures for this program.

Business Service Center Employment
People employed at Didlake’s Business Service Centers – sometimes referred to as Sheltered Workshops – complete work ranging from bulk mail to light industrial services while building their skills.  They are employed by Didlake and also receive supervision, training, counseling, advocacy and support. View our Quality Measures for this program.

Learn more about the services available through our Business Service Centers.

Didlake and Business - Community Partners
Many of our community partners begin working with us by allowing us to perform a Situational Assessment within their workplace.  Didlake Employment Specialists work with cooperating employers and a person with a disability to create a real-world, on-site assessment or working interview revealing that individual’s ability to perform a job.  We also offer services that match individuals to appropriate lower-skilled jobs.

For more information about Didlake’s Supported Employment programs, please contact us via email supportservices@didlake.org or phone 703.361.4195.  Toll free 866.361.4195.