From the Orange County Register:

Matthew Morreale, 24, who is diagnosed with autism, has opened his own business shredding documents in Orange County. (At far left with mother Marthe and brother Joseph.)

Morreale is a local example of a growing trend in California and elsewhere, in which individuals with developmental disabilities start small niche businesses that can be launched with minimal funding yet make a steady profit. Experts hope these self-employment opportunities might offer a solution for the growing number of individuals with developmental disabilities exiting the education system and looking for work.

“Self-sufficiency and independence means not only lessening the impact on the budget, so they don’t have to rely on social supports,” said Dorsey Griffith, a spokeswoman for the state’s department of developmental services. “These people are good workers, and they’re happier when they’re working and they’re part of the community.”

Other adults with disabilities in the state are running mall kiosks, selling handmade bags, operating floral businesses and staging puppet shows for children’s parties.

(Family photo in Orange County Register)

This entry was posted on Saturday, July 26th, 2008 at 6:07 am and is filed under NOT2BEMISSED, autism, business, employment/jobs, independent living, intellectual/developmental disabilities, learning disabilities. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.