The State of Rhode Island

Disability Business Enterprise

Program

Director Najarian's Memorandum

Dr. Carl's Memorandum

(PDF Format 3 Pgs, 31 KB)

DBE Program History

The Rhode Island Disability Business Enterprise Program was created through the Governor's Commission on Disabilities in 1987 when the Handicapped Products Procurement Bill became law.  It was brought forth through the effort of then Governor Edward DiPrete, Senator Richard Patterson, Representative Paul Sherlock and citizen advocates Peter Holden and Paul Pickens.  Its purpose was to help establish a market for the goods and services produced by the employees of the State recognized rehabilitation agencies.  Originally, called the Handicapped Products Procurement Committee and under the stewardship of the State's Economic Development Corporation (www.riedc.com), the program was moved to the Governor's Commission on Disabilities in 1996 and is now titled the Disability Business Enterprise program.  It has evolved through amendments made to the original legislation in 1992, 1997 and 2004 to now certify companies owned by and employing people with disabilities.

The DBE Program would like to publicly acknowledge the following for their contributions since 1987 toward making our program a success.

• The Governors who have served since 1987

• The Department of Administration

• Our elected Senators and Representatives, especially the Chairs of the Legislature's Finance Committees

• The Directors of MHRH, EDC, ORS, and the Division of Purchases

• The buyers for the State of RI and its Agencies

• The Directors of the State recognized rehabilitation agencies

• DBE Committee Members past and present

• GCD Commissioners past and present

• GCD staff past and present

• And, finally, our certified DBEs who work hard to provide quality goods and services