Company Profile
Didlake, Inc.
Company Overview
We believe in empowering individuals to realize their full potential so they may lead more satisfying and meaningful lives that include employment and relationships. Our mission, creating opportunities that enrich the lives of people with disabilities, opens the door to innovative thinking and creative approaches to challenges. Opportunity creates choice and choice empowers people. At Didlake, we create opportunities to empower people every day.
Company History
Opportunities for Education | 1965 – 1974
Over 50 years ago, a handful of people in Manassas, Virginia saw things differently. They passionately believed that all people deserved access to opportunities for growth, especially education. Committed to this belief, they created the Didlake School to provide opportunities for children with disabilities to learn and develop their full potential. Soon, other communities across the United States also began to see things differently, and in 1975 the U.S. Congress passed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142), making special education available at all public schools.
Opportunities for Employment | 1975 – 1985
Once the Education for All Handicapped Children Act was in place, the Didlake School pivoted and became the Didlake Occupational Center to provide employment opportunities for 16 former students who were now beyond school age. We launched a mailing business which offered jobs for people with disabilities in a supportive work environment. For individuals who were interested in competitive employment in their community, we offered employment services to help them achieve employment success.
Opportunities for Enrichment | 1986 – Today
Now expanding well beyond Manassas, Virginia, Didlake creates opportunities that enrich the lives of people with disabilities throughout Maryland and Virginia. We are a top producer in the AbilityOne® Program providing employment opportunities across about 40 federal contracts in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington D.C.
Benefits
We actively invest in the continued professional development of our greatest asset — our employees. Our annual development plans ensure employees have the opportunity to work with their supervisors to set and reach their goals.
Professional Development: Our employees attend industry conferences to stay current with best practices and improve our service offerings and delivery. As experts in their field, many of our employees participate as guest and keynote speakers to further our mission. We support and encourage our employees in these efforts.
Training: To support our diverse workforce, Didlake offers training programs on a wide range of topics. Disability awareness and safety are top training priorities. Our disability awareness training ensures we remain focused on the continual improvement of employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Our health and safety training educates employees on safety concepts and promotes good work practices for all positions.
Education Assistance: We support life-long learning. Eligible employees may receive financial assistance and tuition reimbursement toward the attainment of certifications or degrees that are determined to be job-related.