Disability Employment Awareness Month Celebrates Workers with Disabilities
Every year in October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) aims to celebrate the many contributions made by American workers with disabilities. Importantly, it also aims to educate the public—especially employers—about the many benefits of hiring people with disabilities.
By seeking community partners and offering job skills training, Mosaic helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) find rewarding employment where they can apply their skills and talents.
Marti’s water pack helps her be more independent.
Marti Cramer
Marti Cramer, 27, started her new job of watering flowers at all three of Barista’s Daily Grind coffee shops in May. Before that, the shops’ owner Jasmin McGinnis said she used to rely on her staff of baristas to do it, but because their main focus is to sharpen their coffee craftsmanship skills, most of them didn’t have time to do so.
“Part of what we’re known for is our beautiful flower arrangements, which cost thousands of dollars from the greenhouse,” said owner Jasmin McGillis. “Because of Marti, this is the first year all of our flowers have lasted through October!”
“An assistive technology partner provided an adaptive backpack that holds water and has a spray hose that empowers Marti to be more independent at her job,” said Mosaic Direct Support Manager Jordan Squiers.
Marti said, “I love my job, and I like getting a paycheck.” With the extra money, Marti is able to fuel her passion for art by buying art supplies to paint and draw—and she is able to pay for art classes.
Steven likes to greet customers at Palmer’s Deli.
Steven Strennen
Steven Strennen, 33, works at Palmer’s Deli bussing tables, doing dishes (he’s even learned to use the restaurant’s industrial dishwasher), taking out trash and performing general cleaning. “I like Palmer’s Deli, because it’s a good pace for me. One day, I even got a tip from a customer!” Steven proudly exclaimed.
“Steven is always happy and never down,” said Palmer’s Deli General Manager Mindy Buxbaum. “He helps me and his colleagues when needed, and if there’s something new for him to learn, he figures it out. He’s a good asset to our team.”
“We were so happy we found Palmer’s Deli, where he does what he loves,” said his mom, Leanne Carpenter. “Steven gets to work with a kind, dynamic team and connect with customers by opening the door and greeting them. He’s very much a people person, and his best happiness comes from being around people—no matter what he’s doing or where he’s going.”
Part of Brandon’s job is cleaning and detailing cars.
Brandon Clark
Brandon Clark, 22, lives with mom Kimberly Carpenter (no relation to Leanne), who is also his shared living provider. Kimberly and many others characterize Brandon as an extremely hard worker who confidently excels at his job with Shiretown Solutions. His responsibilities include car cleaning and detailing, carpentry, refurbishing pellet stoves, lawn care and much, much more.
It’s impressive work in and of itself. It’s even more so with Brandon, as he is legally blind.
“Hiring Brandon is one of the best things we ever did,” said manager AJ Boyce. “He’s always on time, he comes in early to start working on the pellet stoves, then he goes to the car wash bay, and he cleans things up—he gets things moving before anybody else gets here. He’s just right on the ball!”
“I’m also very proud of Brandon for always trying so hard to do the best at his job in order to make his boss and colleagues happy,” said Kimberly. “When they tell him he’s doing a great job, that just makes him beam from ear to ear.”