Empowering People.
Building Futures.
About DECI
​DECI is a private, nonprofit community-based rehabilitation program in Durham County, North Carolina, serving adults with disabilities. A self-supporting industry, DECI provides superior services to commercial customers. Many customers are located in or near the Research Triangle Park but our services extend nationally and internationally. The revenues earned by DECI’s commercial services provide a host of job training and job placement for adults with disabilities, giving these individuals the opportunity to work either at DECI or in the community.
Our History
DECI was founded in 1966 by the Durham Exchange Club as a sheltered workshop that originally operated in an old schoolhouse. Most workshops at the time provided craft activities rather than hands-on industrial training. ​DECI’s idea was to provide a different approach, the best of both worlds: the support offered by a sheltered program, and the atmosphere, expectations and job tasks of a genuine industry. Persons with disabilities in training, staff and subcontract jobs all continued to increase, so DECI purchased the current property with the organization’s earnings.
A Legacy of Leadership
Hear from Mr. Ken Gregory, DECI’s second President & CEO, as he reflects on the mission and leadership transition that shaped our organization after founder Mr. Rice.
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From his start in 1975 to his retirement in 2007, Ken helped shape DECI’s mission of opportunity and inclusion — leaving a legacy we still carry forward today.
Watch the video to hear Ken reflect on his journey, the challenges he overcame, and the legacy he left behind.
Expanding Opportunities
Over the Years
As DECI grew, so did our impact. We added new warehouses and offices to support operations, and launched a Job Center to help clients prepare for community jobs. Vocational counselors now work with individuals through 1:1 evaluations, ensuring that each person’s program is tailored to their strengths and goals.
Today, some clients train and earn wages directly at DECI through production work, while others transition into competitive community jobs with ongoing support from our staff. With every step, our focus remains the same: flexibility, growth, and helping individuals succeed in both work and life.