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Check to see if your school has a Workability1 program. They can often provide work experiences.

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WorkAbility I (WAI) Home | WAI Meeting Agendas | WAI Regions and Contact Information | WAI Resources | WAI Mentoring Frequently Asked Questions | WorkAbility I Array of Services Definitions

Background Information

The California Department of Education (CDE) completed a two-year study in 1981 that provided substantive information concerning the status of vocational programs for students with disabilities. Results of the study indicated that these students were not being adequately prepared for the labor market.

WorkAbility I (WAI) was initiated in November 1981 as a pilot project to test the concept of work experience for youth with disabilities.

WAI continues to successfully conduct interagency coordination of services, which began with a September 1982 Employment Development Department (EDD), State Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), and CDE non-financial interagency agreement.

The WAI program is funded and administered by the CDE. The WAI program provides comprehensive pre-employment skills training, employment placement and follow-up for high school students in special education who are making the transition from school to work, independent living, and postsecondary education or training. Program services are appropriate to individual student needs, abilities, and interests.

The WAI program offers students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) the opportunity to complete their secondary education while also obtaining marketable job skills. WAI provides secondary students with an understanding of job-seeking and job-keeping skills. The employability of students improves through occupational class training and on-the-job subsidized or unsubsidized work experience.

The WAI program seeks employers in the business community who will give students with disabilities a chance to prove themselves in a competitive integrated employment setting. Local program sites successfully coordinate state and local service providers to offer comprehensive services tailored to local economic, social, and geographic needs and abilities.

The WAI program is governed by the following:

California Education Code (EC) sections 56470-56474

The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) That an essential component of transition services developed and supported by the State Department of Education is project workability.

(b) That the workability program provides instruction and experiences that reinforce core curriculum concepts and skills leading to gainful employment.

(c) That since project workability was established by the State Department of Education in 1981, substantial numbers of individuals with exceptional needs have obtained full- or part-time employment.

(d) That project workability is a true partnership established at the state level through nonfinancial interagency agreements between the State Department of Education, the Department of Employment Development, and the Department of Rehabilitation, and has elevated awareness in the private sector of the employment potential of individuals with exceptional needs, and focuses its efforts in developing careers for these youth, and preventing needless economic and social dependency on state and community agencies and resources.

(e) That local education agencies in California establish linkage between agencies, eliminate duplication of effort, and develop precedent-setting employment training practices which should be preserved and advanced to better assure future productive employable citizens.

(a) The program shall be administered by the State Department of Education.

(b) The department shall establish an advisory committee. This committee will include representatives from local workability projects to ensure ongoing communications.

(c) The Superintendent shall develop criteria for awarding grants, funding, and evaluating workability projects.

(d) Eligible applicants shall include local educational agencies, including school districts, county offices of education, state special schools, and charter schools, and nonpublic, nonsectarian schools, as defined in Section 56034.

(e) Workability project applications shall include, but are not limited to, the following elements:
(1) recruitment, (2) assessment, (3) counseling, (4) preemployment skills training, (5) vocational training, (6) student wages for try-out employment, (7) placement in unsubsidized employment, (8) other assistance with transition to a quality adult life, and (9) utilization of an interdisciplinary advisory committee to enhance project goals.

The population served by workability projects may include secondary students with disabilities, adults with disabilities and other individuals who experience barriers to successful completion of school.

Project workability shall be funded pursuant to Item 6100-161-0001 of Section 2.00 of the annual Budget Act.

The superintendent shall continue to seek additional state and federal funding for project workability.

Mission of WAI

The mission of WAI is to promote the involvement of key stakeholders including students, families, educators, employers and other agencies in planning and implementing an array of services that will culminate in successful student transition to competitive integrated employment (CIE), lifelong learning, and quality of life.

Array of Services

The Array of Services comprise an effective transition system for Middle School (DOC) and High School (DOC) students. A WAI student must be provided curriculum integration of work readiness skills, a career/vocational assessment, and a minimum of one Connecting Activity and one Work-Based Learning Service. The Array of Services link provides a basis for ensuring program consistency.

WAI Funding
WorkAbility I Program (PCA 23011/Resource Code 6520)
Current WAI Site Information

269 local educational agency WAI projects sites are funded statewide.

55 California counties are served by a WAI program.

Coordination with Businesses and Corporations Statewide

Numerous employers statewide have found WAI students to be well prepared for entry-level employment, reliable employees, and assets to their businesses. Consequently, employers and labor unions have built strong, long-term partnerships with local WAI staff.

Last Reviewed: Monday, February 22, 2021

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WorkAbility I: A California Transition Program

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WorkAbility I (WAI) Home | WAI Meeting Agendas | WAI Regions and Contact Information | WAI Resources | WAI Mentoring Frequently Asked Questions | WorkAbility I Array of Services Definitions The California Department of Education (CDE) completed a two-year study in 1981 that provided substantive information concerning the status of vocational programs for students with disabilities.

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Check to see if your school has a DOR/Transition Partnership Program (TPP) or a WE WORK Program. They can often provide work experiences.

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Home Page - CA Department of Rehabilitation

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The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) is an employment and independent living resource for people with disabilities…

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DDS oversees the coordination and delivery of services for Californians with developmental disabilities through a statewide network of 21 community-based, non-profit agencies known as regional centers. Regional centers provide assessments, determine eligibility for services, and offer case management services. Regional centers also develop, purchase, and coordinate the services in each person's Individual Program Plan.

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State of California & Department of Developmental Services

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Regional Centers - CA Department of Developmental Services

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Agency through which the State of California provides services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities.

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Across California, inclusive college programs are opening doors to higher education experiences for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These programs are diverse in focus, emphasizing employment and career pathways, academics, independent living, and community inclusion.

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When You Turn 18 A Legal Survival Guide (1)

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Bell Ringers - Independent Living Skills

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Bell Ringers - Independent Living Skills

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online courses = certificates for resume

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Get access to files anywhere through secure cloud storage and file backup for your photos, videos, files and more with Google Drive.

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Individual Transition Plan p. 1 Goals, Activities, Community Experiences

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You may download and copy any of these materials for use in your classroom. There is no charge to use these materials. Some items can be personalized: On the job offer form, for example, you can fill in the blanks onscreen and print an individual offer for each of your students.

You may need to turn off your pop-up blocker to open these forms.

Adobe Reader is required to view certain documents online. If you don't have it, you can download it free of charge from Adobe's website. On the Adobe homepage, you will find a section labeled "Download" that contains a link for Adobe Reader

If your school lacks the resources to print or copy materials from this site, you may order copies from us. Vanguard will mail you individual items you choose or the complete kit for the grade you teach. Order materials

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You may download and copy any of these materials for use in your classroom. There is no charge to use these materials. Some items can be personalized: On the job offer form, for example, you can fill in the blanks onscreen and print an individual offer for each of your students.

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The California CareerZone helps students, educators, jobseekers, and others access up-to-date information on wages, job openings, and other information specific to their state along with great information on careers, colleges, and more.