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Countering barriers by providing employment opportunities

Overview

Individuals with disabilities have one of the highest barriers to employment among underrepresented groups in the workforce. The Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilities Program is designed to counter those barriers by providing employment opportunities for those individuals.

The Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilities is administered by Commonwealth Corporation on behalf of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, in support of the Healey-Driscoll Administration's efforts to improve workforce outcomes for young adults with disabilities. This grant initiative is funded through a General Appropriation Act line item in the State Budget (7003-0607). 

Applicants must propose to serve participants who are:

  • Unemployed or underemployed and,
  • Have a diagnosable disability and,
  • Between 18 and 35 years old and,
  • Massachusetts resident and,
  • Not enrolled in high school as of program start (may or may not have previously earned a high school diploma or HiSET/GED)
A speaker stands at a podium in front of a banner for the Polus Center, with a person interpreting in sign language to the side.

The Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilities is administered by Commonwealth Corporation on behalf of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, in support of the Healey-Driscoll Administration's efforts to improve workforce outcomes for young adults with disabilities. This grant initiative is funded through a General Appropriation Act line item in the State Budget (7003-0607). 

Applicants must propose to serve participants who are:

  • Unemployed or underemployed and,
  • Have a diagnosable disability and,
  • Between 18 and 35 years old and,
  • Massachusetts resident and,  
  • Not enrolled in high school as of program start (may or may not have previously earned a high school diploma or HiSET/GED) 

For more information, contact yawd@commcorp.org.

Impact Numbers

0

Participants trained in 2025

0

Grantees engaged in 2025

0

Employers engaged across 8 industries in 2025

Request for Proposals

This application is closed. Young Adults with Disabilities Requests for Proposals are generally released in September of each year. Implementation grant awards between $50,000-$200,000 are available to organizations with demonstrated success and expertise in improving workforce outcomes for young adults with disabilities. Applicants must have partnerships with at least two employers with operations in Massachusetts that employ Massachusetts residents.

Screenshot 2026-03-02 at 11.53.45 AM

Request for Proposals

This application is closed. Young Adults with Disabilities Requests for Proposals are generally released in September of each year. Implementation grant awards between $50,000-$200,000 are available to organizations with demonstrated success and expertise in improving workforce outcomes for young adults with disabilities. Applicants must have partnerships with at least two employers with operations in Massachusetts that employ Massachusetts residents.