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

Targeted Marketing Campaign

DOR has earmarked $2 million for a targeted media and marketing campaign to support the recruitment and employment of individuals with disabilities.
This strategic multimedia marketing campaign will spotlight the EmployABILITY grant recipient businesses who are champions for disability inclusive hiring in California.