Washington, DC--CVS/Pharmacy One Hour Photo Processing Labs and New Vision Photography, Inc., today announced a unique partnership to provide training and photo processing jobs for graduates of New Vision. New Vision is a treatment center, which teaches digital camera photography to adults with developmental disabilities.

The announcement was made in the auditorium of Martin Luther King, Jr., Library in downtown Washington, DC, where 10 New Vision students participated in a special graduation ceremony. The graduates, who also received a certificate from Penn Camera Exchange certifying them as amateur photographers, will be the first New Vision students to enter the CVS job program.

“CVS is proud to be a part of a program, which has had such a great impact on these students,” said Gordon Howard, CVS Area Vice President. “We are committed to the concept of a totally integrated workforce and we look forward to the good work we know the New Vision graduates will do for us in our photo processing labs.”

The New Vision program, supported by the DC Department of Human Services Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Administration (MRDDA), has provided prevocational training and supported employment to 20 MRDDA clients through the administration’s Medicaid Waiver program since January 2004. The Medicaid Waiver program allows for federal funding to provide care assistance to individuals and families who meet certain eligibility criteria.

New Vision students will receive nine weeks of training at two CVS training centers located at 4049 South Capitol Street in Southwest and 4555 Wisconsin Avenue, NW. Once complete, the students will be employed as photo lab assistants. New Vision will provide the supported service and job coaching to make sure each student is successful in his or her employment.

New Vision gained increasing recognition in its first year, highlighted by a photography exhibit held last June at the Charles Sumner School in the District.

“I am just overwhelmed by the students and the progress they have made in the past year,” said New Vision President and CEO Al Price, a professional photographer who began his career working with individuals with developmental disabilities. “When we started this program, many of the case workers didn’t believe their clients would be able to do this work but the students have been able overcome tremendous obstacles. It’s been a transforming experience for many of them.”