Perris company employs 600 people with special needs

PERRIS, Calif. (KABC) -- A Perris work activity center is helping people with special needs get into the workforce.

Exceed employs about 600 people with intellectual and physical disabilities to package, assemble and label a variety of different products.

"Without programs like these, there's not much left for folks once they complete school, so this gives somebody an opportunity to learn work skills and to progress to their fullest potential," said Andrea Wells, assistant executive director of Exceed.

Workers are paid a competitive wage based on productivity.

"Their wage is based on the number of pieces that they put together, and if they're a real fast worker, they can get paid the same as you and I," Wells said.

David Serna, a former Special Olympics athlete, has been working at Exceed for more than 10 years. He's saving for a trip to Hawaii.

"Earning a paycheck, to you and I, certainly is rewarding. To these folks, it means the world," Wells said.