Disability Resource Center

More Alike Than Different

DRC Vocational Training Program for
Adults with Developmental Disabilities

DRC's Rehabilitative Partnership with HOPE Services

Gavilan College's Disability Resource Center (DRC), in partnership with HOPE Rehabilitation Services provides vocational training and supervised work experience at two Work Activity Centers for students 18 years of age or older. The Gavilan / HOPE program is strongly committed to providing services that promote growth toward greater independence as well as to assist persons with disabilities to live and work in their own community enjoying the same options and choices as persons without disabilities.

The Gilroy site serves South Santa Clara County and the Hollister site provides services to both San Benito and Northern Monterey counties. HOPE provides assessments, job training, job readiness classes, and supported employment services for people with developmental disabilities. HOPE's Work Activity Center provides the opportunity for individuals to earn money while increasing work productivity and interpersonal skills.

Gavilan's instructional staff provide individual and group training and classes in the following vocational areas:

• Community Awareness / Mobility
• Computer Assisted Instruction
• Employment Preparation
• Fine and Gross Motor Skill Development
• Independent Living Skills
• Leadership Training
• Person Centered Planning
• Self-Advocacy
• Training for Specific Work Skills
• Vocational Assessment / Evaluation
• Work Skills / Behaviors

Specific work skills, needs, occupational potentials and vocational interests of each student is assessed. Individual education and rehabilitation program plans are developed by both Gavilan and HOPE in cooperation with the student and the referring agencies annually.

Contract work from various companies in an integrated production environment provides actual on-site paid work experience for students.