Employment Programs for Young Adults with Disabilities (YAWD)

Employment Programs for Young Adults with Disabilities (YAWD) is sponsored by Commonwealth Corporation. This program provides job training and placement services specifically for young adults with disabilities to prepare them for employment.

Commonwealth Corporation - Employment Programs For Young Adults With Disabilities Countering barriers by providing employment opportunities Individuals with disabilities have one of the highest barriers to employment among underrepresented groups in the workforce. The Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilities Program is designed to counter those barriers by providing employment opportunities for those individuals.

The Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilities is administered by Commonwealth Corporation on behalf of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, in support of the Healey-Driscoll Administration's efforts to improve workforce outcomes for young adults with disabilities. This grant initiative is funded through a General Appropriation Act line item in the State Budget ( 7003-0607 ).

Applicants must propose to serve participants who are: Unemployed or underemployed and, Have a diagnosable disability and, Between 18 and 35 years old and, Massachusetts resident and, Not enrolled in high school as of program start (may or may not have previously earned a high school diploma or HiSET/GED) YAWD Across Massachusetts We’re proud to support a statewide network of YAWD training providers that expands access to high-quality, accessible training programs for young adults with disabilities across Massachusetts.

This map highlights organizations funded through the YAWD program in 2025, as well as current 2026 grantees. Click on the pins to learn more about each training provider.

The Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilities is administered by Commonwealth Corporation on behalf of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, in support of the Healey-Driscoll Administration's efforts to improve workforce outcomes for young adults with disabilities. This grant initiative is funded through a General Appropriation Act line item in the State Budget (7003-0607).

Applicants must propose to serve participants who are: Unemployed or underemployed and, Have a diagnosable disability and, Between 18 and 35 years old and, Massachusetts resident and, Not enrolled in high school as of program start (may or may not have previously earned a high school diploma or HiSET/GED) For more information, contact yawd@commcorp.

org Participants trained in 2025 Employers engaged across 8 industries in 2025 This application is closed. Young Adults with Disabilities Requests for Proposals are generally released in September of each year. Implementation grant awards between $50,000-$200,000 are available to organizations with demonstrated success and expertise in improving workforce outcomes for young adults with disabilities.

Applicants must have partnerships with at least two employers with operations in Massachusetts that employ Massachusetts residents. This application is closed. Young Adults with Disabilities Requests for Proposals are generally released in September of each year.

Implementation grant awards between $50,000-$200,000 are available to organizations with demonstrated success and expertise in improving workforce outcomes for young adults with disabilities. Applicants must have partnerships with at least two employers with operations in Massachusetts that employ Massachusetts residents.

Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilit Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $900,000 to Help Young Adults with Disabilities Prepare for Employment Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilit Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $290,000 for Job Training for Young Adults with Disabilities Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilit $850,000 to Help Young Adults with Disabilities Prepare for Employment Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilit Brand Style Guide - Employment Programs for Young Adults with Disabilities Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilit Advance Notice of Upcoming Procurement for The Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilities Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilit Building Confidence as Young Adults Transition to the Workforce Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilit Advance Notice of Upcoming Procurement for The Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilities