Inclusive Careers: Universal Design in Action

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face significant barriers to meaningful employment after aging out of the school system. Nationwide, over 80% of individuals with IDD report wanting to work, yet the unemployment rate for this group is 85%, far higher than the general population. In North Carolina, approximately 1,363,000 people (13.4% of the population) identify as having one or more disabilities, with a 10.1% unemployment rate among those aged 16 and older.

While many programs focus on training and early work experiences, they often overlook the importance of long-term employment and skills growth. This gap leaves many individuals with IDD without sustainable career opportunities and the chance to develop their full potential.

Arin's Good Girl Dog Treats (AGGDT) uses Universal Design principles to create access and long-term employment opportunities for individuals with IDD. AGGDT is providing jobs directly while also expanding access for people with disabilities within other companies through consultancy. We customize scalable solutions for businesses, whether in dog treats, manufacturing, or retail. By promoting inclusive employment practices, AGGDT aims to increase opportunities, reduce underemployment, and create stronger, more inclusive communities.

In simple terms, AGGDT’s solution is Universal Design. Ron Mace, who coined the term, explained “Universal Design is the design of products to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design” It may sound unfamiliar but it isn’t. The sidewalk curb cut designed for wheelchair accessibility but used by parents of toddlers is Universal Design. The automatic entryway door welcoming those with arthritis also aids package laden customers heading to their cars. Universal Design improves the lives of everyone, not just those who share the disability it was designed for.  

AGGDT has developed a Universal Design-based employment model which is targeted to expand access for those with IDD. These folks have untapped talents to share. The modifications we make to our tools and training materials invites them in and grows their skills. Our consultancy business allows us to create custom solutions for others so they too can expand the skills of existing workers as well as welcome in those with disabilities.

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Our solution is designed for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who have aged out of the school system and are seeking inclusive employment opportunities. This group, often underserved, faces significant barriers to accessing job training, career development, and long-term employment due to a lack of tailored programs and employer accommodations. Currently, adults with IDD are disproportionately affected by unemployment, underemployment, and dependency on social support.

Our Universal Design-based model addresses these needs by creating accessible job opportunities and career growth pathways for individuals with IDD. AGGDT directly employs individuals with IDD, offering job readiness training, career coaching, and personalized support. We also provide employers with consulting services, teaching them how to implement Universal Design principles to create inclusive, adaptable workplaces. This not only helps individuals with IDD but also expands the number of accessible jobs in local communities.

Through this approach, AGGDT will impact the lives of hundreds of adults with IDD by promoting financial independence, reducing reliance on social support, and fostering inclusion in the workforce. Additionally, by offering our model to other businesses, we aim to create a broader, more inclusive employment ecosystem, benefiting countless individuals across industries.

Arin's Good Girl Dog Treats (AGGDT) is deeply connected to the communities it serves, particularly adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Arin, the founder, has a personal connection to this mission, having grown up with a disability herself. She understands firsthand the barriers individuals with IDD face in accessing meaningful employment and community inclusion. Talia, the executive director, has built a career focused on creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities, including developing programs and advocating for inclusive employment in her local community.

AGGDT’s team is made up of Arin, special educators, individuals with disabilities, and professionals from law, IT, and engineering fields, all of whom are committed to fostering an inclusive community that promotes accessibility for everyone, regardless of ability. The team has engaged with over 60 individuals with IDD through direct employment, career development, feedback sessions, and informal conversations. This ongoing engagement has allowed AGGDT to understand the unique challenges individuals with IDD face in the workforce and has shaped the development of its solution.

For example, feedback from these community members led to the integration of visual aids, task analysis , and personalized career coaching, which have proven essential in helping individuals succeed in the workplace. AGGDT also works with local businesses to create more inclusive job opportunities, ensuring that these opportunities align with the needs of individuals with IDD. This continuous collaboration ensures that AGGDT’s solution remains responsive and scalable, promoting inclusive employment opportunities across industries.

We selected the pilot stage for our solution because it allows us to test and refine our approach to creating inclusive employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). So far, we have developed a Universal Design-based employment model that includes job readiness programs, career coaching, and workplace adaptations, such as task simplifications and visual aids. We’ve engaged with over 60 individuals with IDD through direct employment, career development sessions, and feedback conversations.

In the pilot stage, we tested our solution by integrating feedback from participants, which has led to adjustments in training materials and workplace accommodations. For example, we refined job coaching techniques and improved task instructions based on input from employees. This iterative process has allowed us to identify key areas for improvement and optimize the solution.

Initial outcomes have been positive, with participants showing increased job retention and confidence. The pilot stage has provided valuable insights that are guiding the ongoing design of our solution. We continue to gather feedback from both employees and employers to ensure that the solution meets their needs and can be scaled to other communities and businesses.

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Innovation takes two forms at AGGDT: the integration of Universal Design and a full employment model for our bakers. Some programs provide training for people with IDD without guarantee of subsequent employment.  Some promise to hire people with disabilities as long as they can mold themselves into the existing work culture.  AGGDT improves on both of these methods, changing the work environment to meet the needs of a broader set of potential employees and promising permanent employment. 

Universal Design allows AGGDT to adapt tasks, training materials, and environments so employees with a range of abilities can excel. We simplify tasks with checklists, turn text into visual instruction and offer flexible work hours, all of which create an inclusive environment for everyone.

Universal Design isn’t the only innovation we employ. Many programs provide much needed training but upon graduation, clients find there are few employers willing to hire them and few workspaces that are designed to include them. AGGDT provides training but we also provide permanent employment allowing our bakers to grow their sense of purpose and their bank accounts. 

Finally, we hope to spread our innovation. Our long term strategy includes a consulting service that will enable other employers to adapt their workspaces to those with other abilities without sacrificing the quality of their products. A more diverse workforce matches the diverse society that surrounds us and includes all our neighbors in the world of work.

At Arin’s Good Girl Dog Treats (AGGDT), our impact goals focus on creating inclusive employment opportunities, promoting career development, and supporting long-term economic independence for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). These goals are central to our mission of transforming lives by integrating individuals with IDD into the workforce and fostering a more inclusive society.

Specific Impact Goals:

1. Increase Access to Employment: We aim to provide meaningful, long-term employment for individuals with IDD. Indicator: Number of individuals with IDD employed at AGGDT and partner businesses using our Universal Design model.

2. Promote Career Development and Advancement: We support career progression through job training, coaching, and mentoring. Indicator: Career advancement rates, including promotions and skill development for employees with IDD.

3. Influence Employer Practices Across Industries: We intend to share our Universal Design model with other businesses to create inclusive workforces across industries, ensuring that individuals with IDD have accessible job opportunities in various sectors. Indicator: Number of businesses adopting inclusive hiring practices through AGGDT’s consulting.

Measuring Progress:

Once we begin consulting with other companies, we will track these indicators through surveys, employment records, retention rates, and feedback from employees. We will also monitor the number of companies implementing Universal Design practices across industries.

These goals align with broader objectives like the UN Sustainable Development Goals for decent work (SDG 8) and reduced inequalities (SDG 10). Through our model, we aim to catalyze a broader shift toward inclusive employment, empowering individuals with IDD and promoting systemic change across industries.

Our solution team consists of one full-time staff member (Executive Director), 11 part-time staff, and 40 dedicated volunteers. This diverse team works together to implement our mission of creating inclusive employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), using Universal Design principles to promote accessibility and independence in the workforce. Each member plays a critical role in ensuring the success and scalability of our solution.

Arin’s Good Girl Dog Treats (AGGDT) was established in May 2020. Since then, we have been focused on creating inclusive employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through the use of Universal Design principles. Over the past few years, we have developed and tested our solution, continuously refining our approach to ensure greater accessibility and career growth for employees with IDD, while also working to expand our model to other businesses through consulting services.

At Arin’s Good Girl Dog Treats (AGGDT), we are committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all team members, with a specific focus on increasing opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our leadership team is intentionally growing to include a broader range of expertise, particularly in finance, fundraising, and consulting, to strengthen our efforts in employing more individuals with IDD and supporting economic mobility. By diversifying leadership, we ensure that we have the skills necessary to scale our impact and foster long-term sustainability for our mission.

Our leadership team currently reflects a range of backgrounds, including experience in nonprofit management, special education, business, and advocacy. This mix of expertise is essential for driving our mission forward and ensuring that we are building a comprehensive, inclusive work environment where individuals with IDD can thrive. Additionally, we prioritize the integration of individuals with IDD in all aspects of our operations, both as employees and in leadership roles.

We minimize barriers to opportunity by offering flexible work arrangements, providing accessible job accommodations, and ensuring clear career development pathways for all staff. Our inclusive hiring practices actively seek individuals from marginalized backgrounds, particularly those with disabilities, ensuring equal access to employment opportunities.

To create a welcoming environment, we foster open communication, respect for all perspectives, and implement ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion training for all team members. We also regularly collect feedback from our employees to continuously improve our workplace and ensure that their voices are heard.

Looking ahead, our goal is to further diversify our leadership team and expand our model to other businesses. By doing so, we aim to increase economic mobility for individuals with IDD and create lasting change in employment practices across industries.

Arin’s Good Girl Dog Treats (AGGDT) operates with a social enterprise business model that creates value by providing inclusive employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our key customers are individuals with IDD, local businesses, and consumers of our products. The primary beneficiaries are adults with IDD who gain meaningful, long-term employment through AGGDT, where they receive career development, job training, and support.

We provide value through our core service of creating inclusive, accessible jobs and offering career development for individuals with IDD. By using Universal Design principles in the workplace, we ensure that all employees, regardless of ability, can participate and grow in their roles. Additionally, we produce and sell high-quality, natural dog treats to local consumers and businesses, which generates revenue for our operations. Our customers value the high-quality products we offer and the positive social impact of supporting an inclusive business that empowers individuals with disabilities.

Our revenue model is built around the sale of dog treats, as well as consulting services to other businesses seeking to implement Universal Design principles and create inclusive hiring practices. We would work with local businesses to help them adopt these inclusive practices, broadening our impact beyond AGGDT’s operations.

The need for our services arises from the significant barriers individuals with IDD face in accessing meaningful employment. Many businesses lack the tools or knowledge to create inclusive work environments, and AGGDT fills this gap by both employing individuals with IDD and offering consulting to other businesses. Through this dual approach, we not only provide valuable jobs but also promote systemic change in employment practices.

Our plan for becoming financially sustainable at Arin’s Good Girl Dog Treats (AGGDT) is based on a diversified revenue model, combining sales of our high-quality, all-natural dog treats, consulting services to businesses implementing Universal Design principles, and continued support from grants and donations. By scaling our dog treat business, we generate consistent revenue that supports our operations while simultaneously promoting our mission of inclusive employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

In addition to product sales, we offer consulting services to other businesses looking to adopt inclusive hiring practices and Universal Design in their workplaces. This provides an additional revenue stream that aligns with our mission and allows us to expand our impact across industries.

We have also been successful in securing grants and donations, which have helped us grow and implement our programs. Notable past funders include the Gaston Community Foundation, Social Venture Partners Charlotte, and several private philanthropists and donors. These grants have provided critical support for our operations, allowing us to cover expenses and reinvest in our workforce development programs.

As we continue to grow, our goal is to ensure that the revenue from our product sales and consulting services covers our operating expenses, reducing our reliance on external funding. This balanced approach will help us maintain long-term financial sustainability while advancing our mission of fostering inclusive employment opportunities for individuals with IDD.

We are applying to the Truist Foundation Inspire Awards to enhance our mission of providing inclusive employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Partnering with the Truist Foundation and MIT Solve offers access to substantial funding, expert mentorship, and a network of like-minded organizations, all of which are crucial for scaling our operations and expanding our impact.

In North Carolina, where our organization is based, individuals with IDD face significant employment barriers. The unemployment rate for people with disabilities in the state is 8%, nearly double that of individuals without disabilities.  This disparity underscores the urgent need for initiatives that create accessible employment opportunities and promote economic mobility for individuals with IDD.

The Inspire Awards present an opportunity to overcome these barriers by providing financial support and strategic guidance. The $250,000 grant for first place would significantly bolster our capacity to hire additional staff, invest in marketing, and enhance our product offerings. Moreover, the mentorship and networking opportunities would equip us with the tools and connections needed to refine our business model and expand our reach.

In summary, collaborating with the Truist Foundation and MIT Solve would provide the resources and expertise necessary to advance our mission, enabling us to create more inclusive employment opportunities for individuals with IDD and drive economic mobility in our community.