Article by Sarah Bettinger

Inclusive Employment Iquis rerum doluptas idebis endit eturerumet expedi vel et mil in re pa dit adisciis aruptatur, offictis alia conse omnienditium nullab is inci si It’s seven a.m. and BJ White is starting his work for the day at Avid Technology, where he has worked for nine years. In the department of shipping and receiving, B.J. packages and labels drives and cables to prepare them for delivery. Caley Versfelt is a front desk administrator for Entertainment Industry Foundation. Versfelt gets to work, completing various tasks in order to maintain a professional image for the company by handling calls, greeting guests, making appointments, and handling any necessary paperwork.

Both BJ and Caley have found jobs that utilize their skills and provide comfortable but also appropriately challenging work opportunities.

While their work lives seem average enough, B.J. and Caley are anything but ordinary. They are part of the approximately 3% of Americans born with an intellectual or developmental disability; they have both been diagnosed with Down Syndrome.

BJ and Caley are part of a minority of eight million Americans that did not receive a Civil Rights Act addressing the discrimination they faced until the year 1990, especially regarding discrimination in

employment. Unfortunately, BJ and Caley are part of the meager 19% of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who have access to employment opportunities. Many individuals with disabilities are subject to “Law Syndrome”, a series of laws that makes it difficult to work and obtain education due to the risk of losing government aid. Oftentimes having a job isn’t enough for a person with IDD to support themselves as a result of being placed in prevocational programs or jobs which pay below minimum wage. Therefore, having access to health care and other government support is necessary in order to live a fulfilling life. Ultimately, Law Syndrome is an inhibiting factor in the financial success of individuals with IDD, a fact which becomes clear when considering that the poverty rate is 23% higher for individuals with IDD than individuals without disabilities. Despite these obstacles, individuals with disabilities are able and willing to contribute to the American workforce beyond the realm of janitorial work and simple cleaning jobs.

“BJ and Caley are part of a minority of eight million Americans that did not receive a Civil Rights Act until the year 1990.”

While many employers are convinced that hiring an individual with idd will be a bigger financial cost than benefit, these individuals are defying the stereotype by proving themselves valuable assets to a business.

One of the obstacles individuals with disabilities face upon entering the workforce is finding a job with proper accommodations. Although the level of accommodations varies for the individual, many employers are deterred from hiring people with disabilities out of fear of the possible costs. While legally, employers are required to provide some form of accommodation for workers with IDD, employers can decide what degree of accommodation is appropriate and are not required to provide an accommodation if it is too costly for the business.

Besides, costly and excessive accommodations are often not necessary. For BJ White, an accommodating workplace is where he can have set hours to allow flexibility for his athletic schedule. Avid Technology has fulfilled this need by giving White a regular work schedule. Caley Versfelt on the other hand has

found an accommodating workplace solely from the community it provides. Versfelt has stated, “They have been so friendly and kind to me and they love me. […] They all respect me, and they include me in as many ways as possible. [...]

We call each other sister and brothers at work.” The inclusive community is a major contributor to Caley’s satisfaction in her work.

Caley’s story shows that while it can be argued that hiring people with IDD is a financial risk, it is clear that in many cases, very little financial sacrifice is necessary to make people with IDD feel comfortable and included in their workplace.

Even so, a major obstacle in employment is convincing employers that hiring an individual with IDD makes sense financially. As detailed in HR magazine by Linda Wasmer Andrews, many businesses struggle to keep entry-level positions filled due to the high-turnover

“They all respect me, and they include me in as many ways as possible. We call each other sister and brothers at work.”

nature of these jobs. Andrews relates the experiences of emergency room director Erin Riehle and her solution to keeping these necessary positions filled by explaining, “Riehle began by training a young woman, Annie Sublett, to work in the emergency department.

Sublett has Down syndrome, the most common genetic cause of mild to moderate intellectual disability.

She proved to be so capable and focused that she was quickly promoted to the position of sterilization technician in the hospital’s large dental clinic, a job she has held ever since”. The essence of Andrew’s argument is that individuals with IDD prove to be very valuable assets by filling positions that might not be kept filled otherwise, a point which proves how valuable it can be for a business to hire people with IDD. Additionally, the contributions of individuals with IDD in the workforce have a quite positive effect on the economy. When employed, people with disabilities have the power to contribute $250K in taxes and save the government $750K in financial support

caley versfelt at work as a correspondent for special olympics. during a thirty year period. Clearly, it makes much more financial sense for the economy to employ individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Given the obstacles individuals with disabilities face in finding employment, it is crucial that there are accessible resources and programs to help individuals prepare for and obtain not just a job, but a career.

Progressive post-secondary educational institutions offer programs specifically designed to promote independent living and vocational training for people with IDD. One such program is Taft Community College’s Transition to Independent Living Program in central California. BJ attended this program for two years and participated in classes such as money management, computer skills, job development, and housekeeping. BJ’s experience helped prepare him for his first job as a courtesy clerk at Safeway.

Another program which was utilized by both Versfelt and White is Best Buddies International, a

program which promotes integration of people with IDD in social circles, jobs, and independent living. Best Buddies helped both Caley and B.J. obtain their current jobs by identifying and utilizing their talents and abilities and finding them an appropriate job.

Programs such as these defy Law Syndrome by providing opportunities for independence and employment without withdrawing support when employment is actually obtained. These programs also empower their participants through encouraging them to challenge themselves and recognize the potential they have.

BJ white and caley versfelt not only balance, but supplement their work lives through pursuing other talents of theirs, many of which are already utilized in their work.

Caley and BJ’s careers only tell a part of the story about undiscovered and underutilized ability.

Their range of talents has applications that extend far beyond the warehouse or the office. Caley for instance, starred in the series “Born This Way”, a show which documents the lifestyles of several adults with Down Syndrome; her experience on the show put her performance and entertainment talents to use and made her a public figure among the disabled community. She has also exercised her entrepreneurial skills through the creation of her own clothing brand and campaign, “Tides of Kindness”. Both Caley and BJ are active participants in Special Olympics BJ’s sports include basketball, bowling, powerlifting, softball, bocce ball, tennis, swimming, and gymnastics. Caley participates as a swimmer, works as a correspondent and global messenger for Special Olympics, and served on their board of directors for three years.

Another talent both BJ and Caley possess is their talent for public speaking and their general charisma. Both individuals are ambassadors for Best Buddies International. Ambassadors regularly speak about their experience with the program as well as advocating for a more inclusive world. Caley and BJ were both in attendance at the annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference in July 2019 and have participated in the conference for many years. The conference is an annual gathering of thousands of community leaders and ambassadors. For ambas-

sadors (a group which includes both individuals with and without disabilities), the conference is a general training on public speaking and leadership skills.

Caley Versfelt was part of a panel discussion that was presented to all of the attendees of the leadership conference.

It is evident that both BJ and Caley challenge the traditional view of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities by showing the world their wide range of talents. While many of these talents could be considered “hobbies”, they are profitable skills that transition well to the workforce. Caley and BJ both plan to incorporate more of these talents into their careers.

BJ has always dreamed of a career in professional sports. His dream job is working at Levi Stadium for the 49ers. If he had the opportunity to expand his work at Avid Technology, BJ wishes he could test their products and technology.

Caley on the other hand dreams of further pursuing a career in entertainment. She hopes to work at FOX Studios and work with other entertainers such as Ryan Seacrest, Jimmy Fallon, and James Cordon.

Versfelt also hopes to create her own show titled “Caley’s Corner”. No dream is too big for Versfelt, as she truly lives up to her motto, a motto all people with IDD can live by: “I turn my disability into ability”.

No dream is too big for Versfelt, as she truly lives up to her motto: “I turn my disability into ability”.

Sarah is a junior at Freestyle Academy. She enjoys travel and all things music. While she doesn’t have much free time, her free time is usually filled with loud singing, chaotic art projects, or shenanigans with her siblings. After high school, Sarah hopes to pursue a career in business and project management while making time to pursue art and music as hobbies.

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Sarah bettinger

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