Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council

What Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council does

The Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council (RIDDC) is a non-profit state council headquartered at 400 Bald Hill Road, Suite 515, in Warwick, Rhode Island, focused on advocacy and employment-program delivery for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Its flagship offering is the Self-Employment Business Incubator Project, launched in 2018 and funded by the RI Department of Labor and Training (DLT) through the Real Jobs RI and Real Pathways RI initiatives, with supplemental funding from the Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH). The program combines an eight-week business development curriculum, one-on-one mentoring, mini-grants of up to $1,500 for participants who complete business plans, and ongoing weekly networking support via Zoom, with 140+ graduates since inception.

Complementary programs include Small Business Saturday Shop RI (SBSSHOPRI), an annual pop-up shopping event hosted since 2017 at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick that has featured up to 160 vendors and 3,000 shoppers; the RI Cross Disability Coalition (RICDC), founded under RIDDC's advocacy mission in 2009; the RI WINS workforce transformation initiative; a Peer Supports pilot with Looking Upward; a Speakers' Bureau of 20+ individuals with disabilities; and additional advocacy programs covering housing, person-centered planning, and guardianship alternatives. RIDDC is governed by a Council Board chaired by Chris Simonelli, with Kevin Nerney serving as Executive Director and Sue Babin as Statewide Director of the Self-Employment Incubator Project (recipient of the 2024 APSE David Hammis Employment Innovation Award). RIDDC has no commercial product revenue; all programs are provided at no cost to participants, with the operating model resting entirely on government grants, corporate philanthropy (including a $50,000 Citizens Bank Champions in Action Award in July 2025), and community partnerships spanning 14 collaborating organizations plus statewide advocacy outreach.

Name

Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council

Legal name

Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council

Website

https://riddc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

RIDDC is a Rhode Island state non-profit council headquartered in Warwick that delivers self-employment training, advocacy, and workforce programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, funded primarily by the RI Department of Labor and Training and BHDDH.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Advocacy and Support Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

Keywords

• Disability advocacy services
• Self-employment training
• Developmental disability programs
• Workforce development services
• Community disability support

Headquarters

HQ city

Warwick

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Primary funding from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT) through the 'Real Jobs RI' and 'Real Pathways RI' initiatives. Additional funding from the Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council provides free self-employment training, mentorship, and mini-grant support to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through its Self-Employment Business Incubator Project. The program combines an eight-class business development series, one-on-one mentoring, mini-grants of up to $1,500, weekly Zoom-based networking, and direct sales opportunities through the annual Small Business Saturday Shop RI (SBSSHOPRI) pop-up marketplace, complemented by advocacy programs (RI Cross Disability Coalition, RI WINS, Peer Supports), guardianship and independence resources, housing options, and person-centered planning.

Product overview

The Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council (RIDDC) operates as a non-profit advocacy organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs centered on employment support, advocacy, housing, and community integration for individuals with developmental disabilities. The flagship offering is the Self-Employment Business Incubator Project, which provides comprehensive business development training through eight classes, one-on-one mentoring, mini-grants, and ongoing networking support. Complementary programs include Small Business Saturday SHOP RI (SBSSHOPRI) for direct sales opportunities, the RI Cross Disability Coalition for advocacy and leadership development, RI WINS for workforce transformation, and the Peer Supports Program for peer-to-peer assistance. Additional initiatives address housing options, person-centered planning, guardianship alternatives, and a Speakers Bureau. The Council also coordinates with state agencies and received the 2025 Champions in Action Award from Citizens Bank for its employment pathway initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RI Cross Disability Coalition (RICDC): A coalition created under RIDDC's advocacy mission in 2009 where individuals with all disabilities can connect, discuss important life issues, and learn leadership skills to advocate for improved quality of life.
• Self-Employment Project
• Small Business Saturday Shop RI (SBSSHOPRI)

Products and services

• Self-Employment Business Incubator Project A comprehensive self-employment program supporting entrepreneurs with disabilities through training, mentorship, financial aid, and ongoing support services. The program includes an eight-class business development series, one-on-one mentoring, mini-grants up to $1,500, and weekly networking opportunities. It is offered free of charge to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Rhode Island.
• Small Business Saturday Shop RI (SBSSHOPRI) An annual all-under-one-roof pop-up shopping mall event hosted at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick, RI, providing direct sales opportunities for small business owners with disabilities alongside other local small businesses. SBSSHOPRI has hosted up to 160 vendors and thousands of shoppers, with 26 vendors in recent years being owned by individuals with developmental disabilities.
• RI Cross Disability Coalition (RICDC) A coalition created under RIDDC's advocacy mission enabling individuals with all disabilities to connect, discuss priorities, learn leadership skills, and advocate for improved quality of life. The coalition creates opportunities for members to learn about available services from Rhode Island agencies and serves as the parent initiative for the RI WINS workforce transformation project.
• RI WINS (Workforce Investment & New Solutions) A workforce transformation project involving 14 collaborating organizations and agencies, focused on professionally training staff with new approaches to connect individuals with disabilities to Rhode Island employers. Includes a Speakers' Bureau of 20+ individuals with disabilities delivering statewide presentations on employment, self-employment, meaningful lives, and human rights.
• Peer Supports Pilot Program A pilot program creating opportunities for people with disabilities to use their lived experiences to support others with disabilities, featuring person-driven services, peer support training, and practical resources including step-by-step photo guides and technology-assisted accommodations tools.
• Guardianship & Independence Program A RIDDC program focused on voting rights and alternatives to guardianship, promoting self-determination and supported decision-making for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Housing Options Program Resources and advocacy focused on expanding housing choices for Rhode Islanders with developmental disabilities, including accessory dwelling units (ADUs), shared living models, and cooperative approaches. RIDDC hosts Regional Housing Summits to advance this work.
• Person-Centered Planning Program Advocacy and resources promoting person-centered planning processes that involve individuals with developmental disabilities in building their own futures, with dedicated outreach within Spanish-speaking communities in Rhode Island.

Named customers18 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and minor.

• RI Cross Disability Coalition (RICDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRICDC was created by RIDDC under its advocacy mission in 2009. Individuals with all disabilities connect, discuss important life issues, and learn leadership skills to advocate for improving quality of life. The Coalition also creates opportunities for members to learn about various services and support available from agencies in Rhode Island. RICDC spearheaded the RI WINS (Workforce Investment & New Solutions) project focusing on personal futures of people with disabilities.
• Skills for RI's FuturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership with RIDDC and RICDC on workforce transformation initiative. Designed a model to transform and enhance the workforce model in RI to educate employers about the abilities of people with disabilities and their potential for improving RI's economic development.
• RI Secretary of State's Office (Business Services Division)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped a new 3-part 'Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility' educational series offered by the RI Secretary of State's Office providing RI employers with information about benefits of inclusive workforce, action steps, incentives, and resources.
• Looking UpwardkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the innovative Peer Supports pilot program. Representatives Jodi Merryman, Ally Worthen, and Anna Regal present on the program's approach to person-driven services, creating step-by-step photo guides and accommodations tools.
• Best Life RIkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Family Leadership Network development. Best Life RI (Sue Raposo) explores what people want their lives to look like and how to help them get there, working with RIDDC on family mentorship and community building.
• STARFIRE (Cincinnati-based)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerStarfire, the groundbreaking organization empowering leaders to build community and inclusion alongside people with developmental disabilities, led workshops in collaboration with RIDDC. Tim Vogt, STARFIRE Learning Network Director, facilitates storytelling and workshop sessions focusing on connecting people to relationships and uncovering talents and passions.
• Community Provider Network of RI (CPNRI)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPNRI (Jenna Husted) serves as a key partner in the Real Jobs RI grantees presentation and collaborative workforce development efforts. Provides project coordination and community agency network support.
• National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)keyGTM or Marketing PartnerNDSS invited RIDDC to present its Self-Employment Business Incubator Project overview in a national webinar. RIDDC also spotlighted graduate Katie Lowe of Cheetah Greetings during this event, sharing the five-year success story of her business.
• National Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE)keyGTM or Marketing PartnerAPSE selected RIDDC to host national webinar during National Disability Employment Awareness Month. RIDDC's Self-Employment Project Director and entrepreneurs hosted 'Self-Employment... How to Turn Hobbies and Passions into a Small Business!' webinar.
• Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center (DETAC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDETAC invited RIDDC participants (Katie Lowe, Jack Carfagna) to national panel reflecting on how the ADA has impacted and empowered them to achieve employment through self-employment.
• Out of the Box Studio & GalleryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with RIDDC supporting participant Robert Brosnahan's knitting business. Organization provides studio space and gallery opportunities for artists with disabilities.
• SHRI Yoga StudiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPawtucket-based social enterprise delivering skilled yoga classes open to the public, together with outreach programs and healing arts. Hosted interactive work session for RIDDC collaborative initiative.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• The Arc of the United States: Largest national disability advocacy organization with state/local chapters operating employment, self-employment, and advocacy programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Overlaps with RIDDC's mission and service mix at significantly greater scale.
• Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center (DETAC): Federally funded technical assistance center for disability employment that has featured RIDDC program graduates in national panels. Comparable as a knowledge-broker in vocational rehabilitation and self-employment for people with disabilities.
• APSE (Association of People Supporting Employment First): National association for the employment-first movement that awarded RIDDC's Sue Babin in 2024. Operates broadly in supported/self-employment for people with disabilities and serves as a convener of best-practice models RIDDC benchmarks against.

Direct peers

• National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD): Umbrella association of the 56 state and territorial DD councils including RIDDC. Directly comparable as the institutional peer network for state DD council operations, federal funding, and five-year planning.
• Looking Upward: RI community provider partnering with RIDDC on the innovative Peer Supports pilot program. Comparable as a regional nonprofit delivering person-driven services for people with developmental disabilities in Rhode Island.
• Skills for RI's Future: RI-based workforce intermediary partnered with RIDDC on the RI WINS transformation grant and employer-engagement work. Directly comparable mission overlap on connecting people with disabilities to employment in Rhode Island.
• Best Life RI: RI nonprofit collaborating with RIDDC on Family Leadership Network development, helping people with disabilities plan meaningful lives. Comparable as a regional peer in person-centered planning and family mentorship.

Emerging players

• STARFIRE: Cincinnati-based organization empowering leaders to build community inclusion alongside people with developmental disabilities. RIDDC partnership peer that co-facilitates storytelling and workshop sessions; comparable as an emerging-player in the inclusion/disability space.
• National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS): National disability advocacy organization that has hosted RIDDC webinars on the Self-Employment model. Comparable as a peer convener for disability employment programming, though NDSS is diagnosis-specific where RIDDC is cross-disability.

Regional players

• Community Provider Network of Rhode Island (CPNRI): RI network of community agencies serving people with developmental disabilities, partnering with RIDDC on Real Jobs RI workforce presentations. Comparable as a regional peer network for disability service providers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/RhodeIslandDDC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rhode-island-developmental-disabilities-council

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council