Danville’s Commitment to a More Inclusive Future
In July 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law, prohibiting discrimination based on any developmental, intellectual, mental, or physical disability. As we commemorate this landmark decision, during National Disability Pride Month, let’s take a closer look at how community leaders and advocates are working to ensure every person can call Danville a great place to live, work, learn, and play.
Untapped Talent
In January 2025, the Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism hosted Untapped Talent, a free professional development workshop designed to educate business owners, managers, and human resource professionals on strategies to fill their organization’s open positions by tapping into underutilized, overlooked, and underserved workforce groups, including veterans, seniors, youth, previously incarcerated, and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
The workshop featured a local panel of experts, abundant resources, and a keynote from speaker, Lindsay Wrege, co-founder of 321 Coffee, a nonprofit that currently employs over 60 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, across five coffee shops in North Carolina.
“321 Coffee has over 500+ people on a waitlist who want to work, yet other companies in the food and beverage industry are still struggling with labor. There are so many driven and hard-working people, but they need the opportunity to contribute. When you can create inclusive opportunities and invest in your people, you also build incredible company culture and are rewarded with loyalty,” shared Wrege.
Participants also heard powerful testimonials from 321 Coffee baristas, who shared their experiences on inclusive hiring. One employee reflected, “We are capable of anything and everything.”
Panelists included representatives from the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research, the Arc of Southside, Walraven, and Butcher’s Daughter Deli and Market. Each panelist brought a unique perspective to the hiring process – from offering insights into how the younger generation works and solves problems to strategies for fostering an inclusive environment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
Digital Inclusion
In addition to workforce inclusion, the City of Danville is making significant strides in promoting accessibility across its services digitally. The City has upgraded its website to align with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), ensuring that individuals of all abilities can easily navigate and access resources. Features such as adjustable font sizes, high-contrast display options, enlarged cursor settings, and a built-in Page Assist tool allow users to customize their experience according to their specific needs. This commitment to digital accessibility ensures that essential services, public announcements, forms, and information are available to all residents without barriers. Whether someone is paying a utility bill, accessing ADA resources, or reading about upcoming events, they can do so independently and with confidence.
Looking Ahead
Further efforts to increase accessibility include new parking enforcements to properly maintain and protect handicapped spaces, in-depth training for City staff, and an updated River District Master Plan, emphasizing an accessible downtown design.
This month, consider supporting inclusive businesses in the city of Danville, learning about the local resources available in your own backyard, and advocating for the belief that inclusion is a strength that enriches not only the workforce but our entire region.