For people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), finding employment is not a given. Consider an alarming statistic: over 70% of people with IDD are unemployed nationwide, which can reinforce a sense of isolation and keep them from participating fully in their communities.
Amy Wright aims to change that percentage.
Two of Amy’s children, Bitty and Beau, have Down syndrome. A fierce advocate not only for her own children but also for all individuals with IDD, Amy founded the non-profit ABLE to Work USA, and was determined to create a place founded on value, inclusion, and acceptance where people with IDD could work as part of a team. She envisioned a coffee shop which would serve as a community cornerstone. Her employees with IDD would engage patrons as a valued part of the community with an authentic sense of purpose, and patrons would have the opportunity to see the world through a different lens.