At the California Policy Center for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (CPCIDD), understanding barriers, challenges and successes to employment for people with IDD is a priority. Through our research we closely examine the multifaceted challenges that impede competitive, integrated employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). By drawing on best practices, academic findings, and the real-world perspectives of people with IDD, their families, and employers, we highlight critical gaps and barriers to employment—from limited vocational training and fear of losing benefits to workplace accommodations and enduring stereotypes that hinder advancement.
Challenges and Barriers to Employment for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in California
Drawing on eleven statewide roundtables and five in‑depth interviews with employers, supported employment providers, individuals with IDD, family members, and regional center specialists, the report surfaces lived experience and system‑level data to explain why employment rates remain low despite California’s Employment First policy.
Key findings highlight persistent barriers: limited employer engagement and low expectations, uneven job coach quality and workforce shortages, regulatory and funding constraints (including accreditation and service‑code issues), transportation gaps, and the disincentive effects of complex public benefits rules. The report pairs these insights with practical recommendations—from employer mentorship and statewide awareness campaigns to funding for job developers, benefits counseling, tiered rates for higher‑need placements, and flexible service models that prioritize outcomes over billable hours.
This report is intended as a roadmap for policymakers, employers, providers, families, and people with IDD who want concrete, collaborative solutions to expand competitive, integrated employment across California.
We’re proud to share a new 13-minute film that centers the voices of Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the employers who hire them. The film highlights how meaningful work creates independence, builds skills, and strengthens communities:
With funding from Ability Central we are able to further our research and provide policy recommendations designed to reduce barriers to employment and increase opportunities not only for people with IDD but employers as well. We look forward to sharing our findings, resources, and community conversations centered on strengthening inclusive employment practices. We are excited to share the first episodes in a series of podcasts that highlight community conversations about employment for people with IDD.
Watch here, or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
Supported Employment Provider:
Unraveling Myths About Benefits and Work:
Work, Will, and Worth: IDD Perspectives on Employment:
National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)
In this engaging interview, Peter Mendoza, a dedicated advocate for disability employment, shares his insights on the importance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Mendoza emphasizes the need for recognizing the contributions of individuals with disabilities in the workforce. He highlights the desire for equal pay, opportunities for promotion, and the right to choose their work environment. Mendoza also discusses the ongoing challenges faced by people with disabilities, including discrimination and underemployment, making this interview a must-watch for anyone interested in promoting inclusion and understanding the value of a diverse workforce:
CPCIDD / CALIFORNIA RETAILERS ASSOCIATION / MERISTEM RISE UP PROJECT
The RISE Up program, developed by the National Retail Federation (NRF) Foundation, offers essential training and credentialing to equip individuals with foundational employability skills, enabling them to secure jobs and advance in the retail sector and beyond. In an exciting new initiative, the California Retailers Association has partnered with CPCIDD and Meristem to launch a pilot program tailored specifically for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Working together to make the NRF Foundation RISE Up curriculum accessible for the IDD community, our aim is to evaluate its effectiveness for our audience while maintaining fidelity to retail employer needs, and to provide participants with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive in the workforce, promoting inclusivity and diversity within the retail industry. Hear from one of the students as she shares her thoughts with both self-advocates and employers:
