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Tag: Disability Employment Awareness Month

  • Industries of the Blind offers career path for the visually impaired

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    GREENSBORO, N.C. — People living with disabilities play an important role in North Carolina’s workforce, and organizations like Industries of the Blind in Greensboro are working to expand those opportunities. For many North Carolinians, that support is life-changing.

         What You Need To Know

    • At Industries of the Blind, 21-year-old Brendon Brown spends his days packing and shipping military uniform orders that are distributed nationwide
    • Brown is legally blind. He lost his vision for the first time as a toddler after an allergic reaction
    • Nationwide, the American Foundation for the Blind found that in 2024, 10% of people ages 16 to 64 with visual disabilities were unemployed 
    • Earlier this month, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced that Project Spark, one of its initiatives that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will expand to 10 new locations across the state


    At Industries of the Blind, 21-year-old Brendon Brown spends his days packing and shipping military uniform orders that are distributed nationwide. He started at the organization just over a year ago.

    “I started out picking on the floor, getting everything that goes in the boxes, and I moved to shipping a couple months ago,” he said.

    Brown is legally blind. He lost his vision for the first time as a toddler after an allergic reaction.

    Brendon Brown is legally blind after suffering from an allergic reaction as a kid. (Brendon Brown)

    He regained it off and on for about a decade, but an infection in 2017 caused him to lose his sight completely.

    Finding employment wasn’t easy. Brown said he applied to multiple places before discovering Industries of the Blind.

    “I tried a few different places, and everybody sounded promising when you talked to them, but then you never hear back from them after that,” he said.

    According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Labor and Economic Analysis Division, one in nine working-age adults in the state was living with a disability as of 2022. Roughly 145,000 of those adults were visually impaired.

    Nationwide, the American Foundation for the Blind found that in 2024, 10% of people ages 16 to 64 with visual disabilities were unemployed — more than double the unemployment rate for people in the same age range without a visual disability.

    A separate study from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that as of 2024, 22% of all working Americans were living with a disability.

    Industries of the Blind aims to close those gaps by offering meaningful work and long-term career paths.

    Richard Oliver, the organization’s director of community outreach and government relations, said Brown represents exactly why their mission matters.

    “We like to put the effort into Brendon so he can learn and grow,” Oliver said. “We want him to be here for a long time.”

    Brendon Brown says he loves to fish when he's not at work. (Brendon Brown)

    Brendon Brown says he loves to fish when he’s not at work. (Brendon Brown)

    Brown is already taking that next step. On Nov. 25, he graduated from the company’s 2025 Future Leaders Academy cohort.

    The program teaches employees skills in finance, human resources, production and business development. His goal is to eventually move into a leadership role.

    “I have no plans on changing anytime soon,” Brown said. “I enjoy it, I see lots of room to grow.”

    A new class of Future Leaders Academy participants will begin next year.

    Earlier this month, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced that Project Spark, one of its initiatives that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will expand to 10 new locations across the state.

    NCDHHS says it will expand to new sites in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Durham, Greenville, Kinston, Jacksonville, Wilson, Gastonia, Asheville and Boone.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

     

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    Ashley Van Havere

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  • Students with disabilities embrace work opportunities at The Florida Aquarium

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    TAMPA, Fla. — October is Disability Employment Awareness Month. It is a time to recognize the positive impact people with disabilities have on the American workforce. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Pepin Academies Transition Program connects young adults to Tampa Bay area businesses to get internships and work experience post-high school. Students will spend 3-4 days a week at job sites with the guidance and supervision of a job coach

    • October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an annual recognition of the positive impact of people with disabilities in the American workforce

    • The Florida Aquarium is a participating business and has even hired some of the students on part-time

    • Through hands-on learning experiences, students are equipped with essential life and job skills, helping them explore diverse career paths


    At The Florida Aquarium in downtown Tampa, there are all kinds of jobs, from scuba-diving tank cleaners to animal experts. 

    There are even people in place to welcome guests. 

    “Hello, welcome to The Florida Aquarium,” said Casey Watson. 

    Watson is doing this as part of his internship. 

    “I meet and greet guests and I say, ‘Hello,’ like this,” as he waves his hand with a smile. 

    Casey lives with a disability. He was connected to the internship through a partnership between The Florida Aquarium and Pepin Academies’ Transition Program. 

    “It’s just a great opportunity for them to gain that confidence, to know what they can do and to be able to show others, you know, the excellent work that they can put in,” said Pepin Academies Director of Transition Program Janele Kilbey.

    The Transition Program is for students with learning disabilities. These are young adults, ages 18 to 22, who have deferred their diploma, but are looking to gain experience in a work environment. 

    There is a disparity in employment opportunities for those with disabilities.

    The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics shows the unemployment rate for people with disabilities was 9.1% compared to 4.3% for people without disabilities.

    “It’s such a sad statistic to see because they can work and they’re dedicated employees and we just need community members out there to give our students and our student population a chance to be able to prove themselves,” said Kilbey.

    The Florida Aquarium is one of several Tampa Bay area businesses that know people with disabilities can add value to the workforce and the Tampa Bay economy. 

    “They’re the heartbeat of the aquarium,” said The Florida Aquarium Director of Volunteer Engagement Melissa Dude. “They’ve actually moved into paid positions with us, as a guest engagement personnel. They are hired there and then our cafe SSA is also very supportive of the program and hires on the students once they’ve graduated.”

    Aidan McCollum is one of those part-time hires. 

    He is 21 years-old and often helps with lifting windows, cleaning tables and sorting cafe supplies at The Florida Aquarium. 

    “I think it’s awesome,” said McCollum. “It’s teaching me new skills.”

    Skills he will add to his resume so that future employers can see his value and marketability. 

    Along with vocational training, the Transition Program students also spend one to two days a week with classroom instruction. 

    They work with job coaches to help with career preparation, social-emotional learning and self-advocacy.

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    Erin Murray

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  • Parc Center helps employees with disabilities thrive long-term

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    TAMPA, Fla. — October marks the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and the U.S. Department of Labor is shining a light on this year’s official theme: “Celebrating Value and Talent.”

    What You Need To Know

    • National Disability Employment Awareness Month has an official theme: “Celebrating Value and Talent”

    • Parc’s Supported Employment Services program has helped nearly 100 people with disabilities find competitive employment

    • Success stories like Michelle Burger show the long-term impact and benefits of supportive employment


    It’s an impactful mission that Parc Center for Disabilities strives to accomplish all year long with its Supported Employment Services program, which champions nearly 100 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities out in the community with competitive employment.

    “With Supported Employment, it’s truly a win-win for the person we’re supporting and the business or employer,” said Brian Rothey, the Assistant Vice President of Adult Community Programs at Parc. “The employer is receiving someone who is going to show up happy every single day to their shift and stay on the job a whole lot longer than their non-disabled peers. They’re highly motivated and a pleasure to work around.”

    Michelle Burger, one of their success stories with nearly 25-years on the job at the VA’s Patriot Café, credits her long-term success in the workforce to the partnership between Parc and the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System.

    “It’s great having this job – helping the canteen and helping customers – if they need help,” said Burger who serves as a Veterans Canteen Service Associate at the Patriot Café. “It’s wonderful and they help me out, too, if I need it. I have good friends and a lot of buddies out here.”

    Veterans Canteen Service Associate Michelle Burger preparing to serve a veteran at the VA’s Patriot Cafe. (Spectrum News/Erica Riggins)

    In 2001, Burger was looking for a job to live with independence and prove that she was more than capable of doing the work; and decades later, Burger’s drive and dedication are still paying off professionally and personally.

    “She’s 100% fully integrated in the community. She lives independently. She has a lifelong partner. She was able to purchase her own home, which for a lot of us is a very big deal,” said Rothey.

    Veterans Canteen Service Chief Michelle Florida also describes Burger as a standout employee who consistently exceeds all job expectations.

    “She loves her job every day, loves her co-workers and is happy to be here,” said Florida. “In fact, there was small talk about her possibly retiring, but she declined because she enjoys working here.”

    Parc’s Supported Employment Services program also provides weekly career coaching to help encourage and assist Burger on the VA’s campus in St. Petersburg.

    “There’s this whole hidden population and talent pipeline within the community that we can tap into and provide. One of the biggest ways that our community and employers can support our mission is through partnerships and collaboration; any opportunity to have our voices heard and offer employment to the people that we serve is what we’re seeking this month and all year long,” said Rothey.

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    Erica Riggins

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  • Wesley Chapel prep cook going above and beyond at work despite disabilities

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    WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — October is Disability Employment Awareness Month and to commemorate the month, we’re highlighting some talented workers here across the Tampa Bay area.

    What You Need To Know

    • A Wesley Chapel prep cook is going above and beyond at work despite his disabilities

    • Jeremy Ross knew at a young age he wanted to work in the food industry and an opportunity knocked thanks, in part, to a disability employment service called ‘employU’

    • ’employU’ is a non-profit, disability employment service, helping those with disabilities get in the workforce by offering employability training to make sure clients are job-ready


    One employee is making a difference in the culinary industry in Pasco County.

    For Jeremy Ross, the kitchen is where he is most comfortable.

    “My slogan is trust and respect,” says Ross. “I just want a good work environment.”

    For the last seven months, Ross has been working as a prep cook at Bubba’s 33 in Wesley Chapel. Chopping up lettuce and other varieties of vegetables. 

    “It’s good working for them. I can finally be myself when I’m working.”

    Ross has ADHD and an intellectual impairment. But just because he has a disability, it doesn’t mean his work is impaired. 

    “He has a harder time learning how to do tasks,” says Catalina Fernandez, Jeremy’s mom. “More of your school life things like reading and math and things like that were always more difficult for him to process because of his disability.”

    Ross learned of his love for the culinary arts in a special program in high school. A five-year culinary program at the Vaughn Occupational High School in Chicago.

    “A high school that he went to in Chicago had a culinary program for our students, all of which were students with disabilities,” said Fernandez. “And he loved it.”

    That passion for working with food followed Ross when he and his family moved to the Tampa Bay area. He found work at a local restaurant until they closed. But then an opportunity knocked at Bubba’s. Ross found the opportunity thanks to a disability employment service called ‘employU.’

    “From the very beginning, we knew that we would hire him and bring him on just because he really grasped what he was doing right away,” said Abby Fletcher, manager at Bubba’s 33 in Wesley Chapel. “He worked really well with the management team and the other employees who were working cold prep.”

    And now Ross can continue his pursuing his passion and love for cooking.

    “It feels really good for me to do that because I always go to my serious work because I always have to focus on my work,” said Ross. “I’m going to do the best I can.”

    Showing how nothing is holding him back.

    ’employU’ is a non-profit, disability employment service based in the Orlando area. Helping those with disabilities get in the workforce by offering employability training to make sure clients are job-ready. You can learn more about their adult employment services online here.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Dunedin restaurant hires people of all abilities

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    DUNEDIN, Fla. — Finding a job can be challenging — and if you have a disability, it can be even harder. 

    In 2024, the unemployment rate for people with a disability was about twice that of those with no disability, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Current Population Survey. 

    In October, Spectrum News is celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

    What You Need To Know

    • The owners of Pisces Sushi and Global Bistro in Dunedin say they hire people of all abilities

    • The owners’ son has autism and they said they saw a need for employment opportunities

    • They’ve hired around 10 people with autism or Down syndrome since they opened 12 years ago


    Pisces Sushi and Global Bistro in Dunedin hires people of all abilities. 

    Gabby Collazo is a busy busser.

    “Whenever we don’t have a lot of customers or there’s nothing for me to clean tables, this is what I do often,” Collazo said while setting up the menu holders.

    Whether it’s switching out menus, seating customers or clearing tables, Collazo has it under control.

    “You get to meet nice people here, both employee and customer,” Collazo said. “It’s a really nice workplace.”

    She’s been working at Pisces Sushi and Global Bistro for more than three years, but Collazo said it was difficult at first because she has autism. 

    “I’m not used to talking to new people because I get nervous easily,” she said. “And it’s hard for me to get a get along, because you don’t know what they like. You don’t know if they’re comfortable talking to you.”

    The restaurant has been in business for 12 years, and the owners estimate they’ve hired close to 10 people with autism or Down syndrome. Angelica Galvin, who has Down syndrome, has been a hostess at the restaurant for eight years.

    “They make me very, very happy, like a gift,” Galvin said.

    One of the owners has a son is on the spectrum, which led to the realization that there is a need for employment opportunities for people like him. 

    “It was a thought, it was like, ‘OK, what is he going to do in the future?’” said co-owner Elizabeth Perez-Keene.

    Perez-Keene said it’s rare for people with different abilities to be a part of the day-to-day busy restaurant operations, and since their son has autism, she said they figured, why not let him try? 

    “We just have to give them a chance, and not just automatically put in our heads that it’s just hard for them to do a job,” Perez-Keene said “Let them do it, let them try because they’ll prove you so wrong.”

    The industry, Perez-Keene said, teaches them multitasking and patience, while Collazo said it’s helped her socially.

    “The employees here are all so nice,” Collazo said. “That’s what helps me get through the day. Helps me chat, at least talk a little more, make eye contact. It’s been easy, it’s been helpful.”

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    Tyler O’Neill

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  • Manatee resident turns disability into strength through fitness

    Manatee resident turns disability into strength through fitness

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — October is Disability Employment Awareness Month, and one resident in Manatee County has found strength in his disability, now hoping to help others.

    What You Need To Know

    • Robby Andrews had an accident in 2007 and found recovery in working out
    • In 2019 he started his business called 40X Max Performance and plans on helping adults and kids with disabilities
    • He strengthened his body and mind with fitness and overtime was able to retain a full-time job at Apollo Medical Transport

    When Robby Andrews steps foot in the gym, it’s go time.

    “Working out is my new drug. It replaces all of my anxiety during the day,” Andrews said.

    Fitness has been life-changing for Andrews since his accident in 2007.

    “The elevator was out in a condo, so I was using the stairway to go up. I ended up going out the fifth-floor window. I broke both my femurs, crushed my pelvis, had facial reconstruction, and was in a coma for six months. I spent about a year in the trauma unit with a spinal cord injury, and they said it would be a miracle if I ever walked again,” he said.

    But he did.

    He took his first steps in 2015 and started working out two years later.

    “As a spinal cord injury patient, my left side was the worst — it was dying. Lifting weights, stretching, and exercising gave me feeling back,” he explained.

    This led him to start his own personal training business, called 40X Max Performance.

    “I’m not a fan of people telling you what you can’t do. I’ll tell you what you can do, and I’ll sit by your side and tell you that you can do it.”

    Andrews also works full time at Apollo Medical Transport.

    “I love it because it’s a chance for me to give back. I used to be transported all the time when I first had my accident,” he said.

    He feels like he’s making a difference.

    “I transport a lot of people with amputations, and when they see me walk in, it gives them a glimmer of hope. That brings joy to my day,” he explained.

    For Andrews, it’s been a long road, but he’s adjusted.

    “To me, it’s natural. If I didn’t have a disability, I’d feel like something was wrong because it’s so natural to me now not to have a leg,” he said.

    Now, he’s focused on helping others.

    “I know how treacherous that can be — the fear of the unknown when you’re traveling and can’t control yourself. When they see me and hear a little bit about my story and what I went through, it just makes their ride so much easier,” he explained.

    Andrews has turned his difficulty into his strength, and he’s determined to help others do the same.

    In the future, Andrews plans to become a personal trainer for children with disabilities.

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    Julia Hazel

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