Three images spliced together beginning with a blind woman typing, followed by a man in a wheelchair at a computer, followed by a man who has a prothstetic leg handling wood beams in a factory

DEMAND SIDE EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE (DSEI)

The Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) received a one-time appropriation of $10 million to fund strategic initiatives to increase the employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. With this funding, DOR has created the Demand Side Employment Initiative (DSEI), an employer incentive program to support businesses to expand or start hiring people with disabilities.

The DSEI consists of four key elements:

EmployABILITY Business Grant
Apply for funding ranging from $20,000 to $200,000
Targeted Marketing Campaign
EmployABILITY grant recipients will be highlighted in a customized media and marketing campaign
Earn and Learn Opportunities
Funding available to establish a training program that leads Californians with disabilities to employment
Human Resources Training and Collateral
California specific certificate program for HR professionals for building inclusive workspaces

Human Resources Training and Collateral

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is creating a customized version of their Employing Abilities at Work program that is specific to California state policy, law, and cultural considerations.
This California-specific certificate program aims to expand knowledge and awareness of building inclusive workplaces by engaging learners who are future and current HR professionals and learning managers.
SHRM certifications increase pay for HR professionals, and this certification program would be worth a minimum of 10 credits for current HR professionals’ recertification.
SHRM will develop a curriculum guide/lesson plan for community colleges and will partner with community colleges to implement this certification to strengthen HR professionals' knowledge, skills, and abilities to attract, hire, and retain Californians with disabilities.
HR professionals and hiring managers will gain knowledge and practical skills about disability inclusion in the workplace, which will lead to large-scale, systemic change in the equitable hiring opportunities.

Visit the SHRM Website