Employing Adults with Special Needs

We spend so much time thinking about what we can do as parents to make our children’s lives better. We work hard to give them life skills and opportunities to develop vocational skills, but sometimes it feels as if we are fighting a losing battle. According to the American Bureau of Labor and Statistics, approximately 80% of special needs adults are not employed. On top of this, there is a severe shortage in appropriate housing for adults with special needs. Here in Connecticut, the waiting list for government sponsored group homes is around 20 years.  How can our kids have full, rewarding, enriching lives if they can’t have a home of their own or a job?

Parents and family members of people with special needs have been holding down the fort at home and also creating businesses to employ their loved ones and other adults with special needs. The Etsy Store Cards by Jakob comes to mind. Jakob designs funny, bright greeting cards and other items. You can order them from wherever you are! He also recently opened a storefront in a shared space called The Painted Tree in Kentucky. How cool is that? Go, Jakob!

The Prospector Theater is another amazing place, that was created for the sole purpose of providing meaningful work for special needs adults. They’re located in Ridgefield, CT.  The employees are called Prospects and they are encouraged to build workplace skills in their area of interest. Their motto is ‘Sparkle on!’

On one visit to the theater with Mikey, an usher came up to seat us.  He welcomed us and turned to Mikey, noticing his headphones, he said with a giant grin, “Autism? I’m autism too!” There was so much pride in his voice. To have an adult with Autism sharing that pride with Michael was worth a million times what I paid for our tickets and popcorn. The prospects create short films to play before the feature, make homemade snacks, clean the theater and dress up to promote the films. They sell tickets, concessions, tee-shirts and hats. It is truly a wonderful place and I feel lucky to have it close by.

Online Opportunity

I encourage you to research and support businesses near you that employ special needs adults. If there is a shortage in your area, I have a great online option for you!

Jordyn’s Summer Shirt Project is a family business which was started to help Jordyn have one productive summer. She designs tee shirts and other things too and they sell them on their website.  Their motto is Be Kind to Everyone! Can you think of any better message for the world today?

The summer project has turned into a full-time business because her designs are so fun! Show them some love if you can – they’re making the world a better place while providing meaningful employment for their daughter and others in their community.

Note

I am not a paid sponsor of Cards by Jakob, The Prospector Theater or Jordyn’s Summer Shirt Project.  They’re just cool businesses doing great work, so I thought I’d share. In the future, if I become a paid sponsor of any company or product, I will always disclose that information.

I’ll try to share more businesses employing adults with special needs. This mission is growing every day. Truly, my friends, the world is changing in some positive ways amidst all the chaos…and that’s a beautiful thing!

If you know of a business that employs adults with special needs, please feel free to share it in the comments or drop me an e-mail: [email protected]