October is U.S. National Disability Employment Awareness Month and while many people struggle to find a job, it is even more difficult if you have a disability. Below I highlight the stories of nine people from Wayne County, Michigan, near Detroit. Each of whom has a developmental disability, but everyone one of them has a job, in large part to the efforts of struggling nonprofits that provide skills support services to people with developmental disabilities.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019, 19.3 percent of persons with a disability were employed. In contrast, the employment-population ratio for persons without a disability was 66.3 percent. Despite celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the ADA, people living with a disability are still struggling to be accepted.
Thousands of Americans rely on the support of nonprofits such as Services to Enhance Potential or Goodwill, that provide support services to help people with a disability accomplish daily tasks, develop workforce-related skills, reach personal goals or otherwise position them to compete on an even keel in the job market. Many of these nonprofits were struggling to survive, even before the pandemic. Many of these agencies lack the requisite funding to continue their programs. Data from the Case for Inclusion 2020, a report from the ANCOR Foundation and United Cerebral Palsy found that many of these agencies can compete for workers as Walmart raises their hourly wage or Amazon opens up more warehouses offering higher pay.
We are working to engage journalists in sharing Hassan’s story. Hassan’s smile along with his personality can light up the room. A person with a developmental disability, Hassan works at FEASTDetroit in Eastern Market. However, it took Hassan years to gain the confidence and training to prepare for this job. Working with Services toEnhance Potential (STEP), a Dearborn Heights, MI-based skills support provider, Hassan started training, working in facility-based skill building/production.
He excelled at it, but each time employment was discussed, Hassan thought he wasn’t ready. STEP did not give up on him and continued to give him job opportunities. In April 2019, FEAST Detroit offered Hassan an opportunity to prepare and package hot sauces and other food items for small companies. What started as an internship evolved into a full-time job. In July 2019, Hassan was the first person hired as an employee at FEAST Detroit. In addition to obtaining employment, Hassan began arranging for his own transportation to work, applying for MetroLift with little assistance. He also uses Uber when there is a problem with MetroLift, so he never misses work.
I hope a reporter will introduce you to Betty who arrived at STEP in 2014 with a history of being discouraged. She initially worked in production/manufacturing at STEP and was very reluctant to work in public. After a year and lots of encouragement, Betty agreed to assist with setting up the Dearborn Heights Thrift Store and Donation Center. She quickly progressed and was ready to work elsewhere. She was hired by Greenfield Village, but due to the pandemic, she was furloughed. In August, however, she applied for a job at Burger King where she works today. Betty lives independently and drives herself to work.
Jeff and Ted have been with STEP since 2016. They were part of the work crew sent to Detroit Brush Company (DQB) but were quickly noticed by the DBQ management team and were hired to work there on a regular basis. Jeff lives independently and takes the bus to work.
I can also tell you about the Janitorial Crew — Derrick, Samuel, Taylor, David, and Douglas who are all part of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network Janitorial Crew. Each as overcome a mental health diagnosis and various physical disabilities to find the courage to work and each are grateful to the DWIHN for giving them the opportunity to have a job.
They, along with their employer and STEP which provided their training and support are all available to talk to you. I hope you will consider sharing their stories and highlighting how agencies like STEP are focused on ensuring anyone with a disability can find a job.
Now LET’S START THE CONVERSATION!
