Colorado is a hub for tech companies of all sizes, and companies and leaders are coming together to train and equip the workforce to make sure they are ready for today’s tech careers.
An important piece of that puzzle is including and training individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Comcast is committed to making our products, services, and experiences accessible to the widest possible audience, opening doors to independence for people with disabilities and developing assistive technology helps people with physical and intellectual disabilities live more independent lives.
We’re proud to partner with The Arc of Larimer County, Easterseals Colorado and Colorado Center for the Blind to improve the quality of life for people across our state living with disabilities, and provide job training and support to hire people of all ability levels.
The Right to be Employed in Your Home Community
In partnership with The Arc of Larimer county, Comcast produced PSAs for the Everybody Works initiative, an employment initiative designed to make sure that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Larimer County can find meaningful employment. The program educates businesses and works to break down stereotypes. Watch one of the PSAs Comcast helped produce here.
“Through a partnership with Comcast, The Arc of Larimer County has been able to reach directly into the lives of families and individuals in our community by offering access to assistive technology to both youth and adults who live with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Matt Cloven, executive director of The Arc of Larimer County.
A Center for Successful Employment
Through a recent grant in partnership with the Easterseals of Colorado, Comcast continues to make improvements to the Comcast Employment and Technology Center.
The facility uses assistive technology to help clients build skills for the digital economy and become strong candidates for the workforce. The lab includes computers and tablets of various designs and software capabilities, as well as video equipment, adaptive keyboards, and other tools for capturing projects and creating digital resumes.
Recently, a group of students with autism has been using the center to support their work while they intern at the US Geological Survey, based in Lakewood. Because the application process for the federal internships was fairly rigorous, the students used the center’s support to complete their online paperwork.
“We’re in the process of implementing caregiver support as part of our offering at the center,” said Kris Lindsey, vice president of grants administration for Easterseals. “We want those who are providing care to people with disabilities to also know how to use the technology and navigate resources.”
The Comcast Employment and Technology Center is used by groups and individuals to support employment and work needs year-round. Groups interested in using the space can visit the Easterseals Colorado website.
Increasing Independence
Throughout the year, Comcast is proud to partner with the Colorado Center for the Blind, including their Independence Training Programs. Designed for blind adults, students complete six- to nine-month programs to build skills related to self-confidence, independence, braille and work skills such as woodshop and technology. Comcast also helped the Colorado Center for the Blind establish the 6 Dot Dash 5K in June. The race brought together the community to celebrate the abilities of those living with blindness and highlight their dreams and unique contributions.
