Governor Declares March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Job Shadowing Opportunities Offered by Local Businesses

(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) — Individuals with developmental disabilities, local business owners, and state officials gathered this afternoon at the Arkansas State Capitol as Governor Asa Hutchinson proclaimed March 2020 Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Arkansans with developmental disabilities were celebrated for their value in the state workforce and their communities, and local business owners were recognized for providing job shadowing opportunities.

“We want to help our clients with developmental disabilities to be independent and productive in their communities,” said Melissa Stone, Director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) at the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS). “These are capable and dependable people, and we need more businesses in Arkansas to give people with developmental disabilities a chance to show their talents.”

The employment rate of working-age Arkansans with disabilities was 31.3 percent in 2018, according to a report by the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability. The DHS Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Arkansas Rehabilitation Services have partnered to coordinate job shadowing opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. The opportunities will be offered by participating businesses throughout the month of March.

The following businesses will display window decals to show that they are participating community partners for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 2020 supported employment initiative:

Arkansas Rehabilitation Services in Benton, Helena, Hot Springs, and West Memphis

Marshalls in Little Rock

Pinnacle Hearing in Little Rock

Priceless Cuties Boutique & Events in Hot Springs

Special Olympics Arkansas, Little Rock office

State Farm, Anthony Smith Agency in Little Rock

T.H.I.N.K. Coffee in Conway

T.J. Maxx in Benton

Wendy’s in Hot Springs

Xpert Diagnostics in North Little Rock

Supported employment for people with disabilities is an ongoing initiative. State agencies regularly partner through programs like the State Agency Model Employer (SAME) and the Employment First initiative to offer employment opportunities to individuals with disabilities. The Blue Umbrella gift shop in the DHS central office in Little Rock also provides employment opportunities year-round for people with developmental disabilities.

For more information on the job shadowing opportunities available during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, visit humanservices.arkansas.gov/about-dhs/ddds/dd-awareness-month.

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