Tackling Employment Challenges for People with Disabilities

Written by our Founder and CEO, our Celebrations Pulse Sunday Letters aim to engage with our community. From sharing stories to welcoming your ideas, we want to help you connect with and celebrate the important people in your life.

For my family, the challenges faced by people with disabilities are deeply personal. My younger brother, Kevin, was born with an intellectual disability, and we’ve experienced both the joys and worries that come with caring for a loved one with special needs.

I often think about my parents' sleepless nights wondering what would happen to Kevin once they were gone. Who would care for him? Would he find meaningful work? How could his talents and warmth contribute to the broader community?

Their concerns were justified at the time. Mom and Dad grew up when people like Kevin were placed in state-run institutions and had little or no access to jobs. Since then, there’s been some progress – the rise of group homes instead of institutions, broader public awareness, and laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act.

But there’s still a long way to go, especially on the job front. In the United States, approximately 6.5 million people have intellectual disabilities, but only 19% of them are employed, compared with 62% of people without disabilities.

Shining a light on disability employment

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which was established in 1945 as National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week, to address the challenges faced by veterans disabled in World War II. (The word “physically” was removed in 1962 to recognize the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all kinds of disabilities. Then renamed to National Disability Employment Awareness Month in 1987.) Today, it continues to highlight ongoing obstacles while emphasizing the benefits of integrating people with disabilities into the workforce – not just for the employees, but for businesses as well.

Individuals like my brother are eager to work and have much to offer. Statistics show that employees with disabilities are often more reliable and loyal than those without. They also possess unique talents that make them exceptionally suited for certain roles.

Beyond their skills, their impact on the workplace is profound. They foster stronger team bonds, adhere to rules, elevate company culture, and boost overall morale. A Harvard Business Review article even identified having employees with disabilities as a competitive advantage.

So why is unemployment still disproportionately high among people with intellectual and other disabilities? The reasons are numerous: discrimination, societal stigma, and a lack of adequate accommodations from employers. On the workers' side, there’s limited access to training and support services necessary to thrive in the job market.

That’s why we still need National Disability Employment Awareness Month – and why my family created Smile Farms.

Planting seeds of opportunity

I often think about how proud my parents would be of Kevin today. He lives with friends in a supportive home near our family and is a cherished part of all our celebrations – birthdays, anniversaries, dance recitals, and sporting events. But what would bring them the most joy is knowing how much their love and Kevin’s journey have inspired our family to help people of all abilities live happy, fulfilling lives.

Smile Farms started in 2015 with a phone call from my friend Walter Stockton, the director of Independent Group Home Living (IGHL), where Kevin lives. Walter saw potential for a partnership between IGHL and 1-800-Flowers.com, Inc. to create meaningful work opportunities by training residents in agriculture.

What began as an idea has blossomed into a program that now spans 13 campuses across the New York metro area. Smile Farmers cultivate vegetables, like peppers, which are turned into “Heat with Heart,” their very own branded hot sauce that’s sold across the United States.

In addition, Smile Farmers produce pickles and sell their harvest at local farmers markets. Most recently, the organization has expanded its mission by partnering with local restaurants to provide job opportunities in the hospitality industry.

Finding inspiration

Through Smile Farms, I’ve had the privilege of hearing the incredible, stereotype-shattering stories of the Farmers and their families. No one embodies this spirit more than Kevin’s good friend, Keith Caputo, and his Amazing Mom, Cassy.

Keith, who was born with Down syndrome, works in Smile Farms’ greenhouse at IGHL, potting plants, moving them, washing pots, and preparing soil alongside other growers. Keith and his fellow Smile Farmers also helped deliver Meals on Wheels to the community. In 2020, his hard work was recognized when he was named Smile Farms’ Farmer of the Year.
But Keith's story doesn’t end there.

After losing a close friend and mentor who had introduced him to community work, Keith was devastated. For months, he mourned the loss, until a psychologist suggested that Keith was missing the fulfillment he found in helping others.

With this realization, Keith and his mom came up with the idea to create their own nonprofit organization, Helping Makes U Happy, which is dedicated to helping others in communities around the United States. Just last week, for instance, he was collecting donations for victims of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. As Keith says:

“Helping makes me happy, it makes you happy, and it makes everyone we help happy.”

Since its founding in 2015, Helping Makes U Happy has made a tremendous impact, raising over $100,000 through events and auctions to promote kindness and service throughout Long Island. Cassy reflects on the journey:

“Sometimes we'll be walking across a parking lot, and randomly, someone will come up to Keith and say, ‘Are you Keith Caputo from Helping Makes U Happy? I just want to shake your hand. What you do for the community is amazing.’ “And after they walk away, I look at Keith and say, ‘How does that make you feel?’ And he says, ‘Pretty good.’ And, I say, ‘Me too.’ And that's why we do what we do because it makes us happy.”

Cassy points out that Keith never stops and working with him is a joyous experience. “When he was first born, I never would have imagined my life would turn out like this,” she says. “And I remember one day saying that he'll never grow up to be president, but he's so much more.”

Giving everyone a chance

Keith’s story shows the incredible potential of individuals with developmental disabilities. When given the training and the opportunity, they make meaningful contributions that uplift not only themselves but everyone around them.
People with disabilities bring dedication, passion, and unique perspectives that can enrich any organization. It's not just about giving them a job; it’s about giving them the chance to thrive, to contribute, and to be valued for who they are. When we embrace that, we all become better for it.

All the best,
Jim