SD County Supes Approve Intellectually Disabled Hiring Program

SAN DIEGO COUNTY -- The County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted unanimously to create a program that would allow county government to hire more people with intellectual disabilities.

With its vote, the five member board directed County Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Meyer to develop an enhanced employment program and also pursue funding to sustain it. Robbins-Meyer is slated to return to the board with both funding and partnership proposals by July.

The program was proposed by Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, who said that every person who wants to work should have a chance, which can be a challenge for those with intellectual disabilities.

County officials cited a study conducted by the University of Massachusetts which found that only 44 percent of adults aged 21 to 64 with intellectual disabilities are in the labor force. According to the study, 62 percent of adults with intellectual disabilities that are employed have been at their job for three or more years, indicating that many individuals currently
employed experience job stability.