TYLER LEVY HAS OVERCOME MANY CHALLENGES TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL EMPLOYEE Writer / Kathy Lynch Photography Provided
What keeps people coming back to a restaurant? Besides the food, neighborly atmosphere and hospitality, visitors look for a little extra attention, care and conversation from some very dedicated employees. According to Christine Stringer, manager of McAllister’s Deli on Breckinridge Lane in Louisville, the eatery has been hiring people with disabilities for the past 10 years although the establishment doesn’t actually work with a placement organization. Knowing its history of hiring and helping those with disabilities, both parents and job coaches from local groups like Dreams with Wings and the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation don’t hesitate to connect with McAllister’s. Parents can get their kids involved with a vocational rehab facility, where job coaches
will teach them about interviewing and take them to an actual job interview. McAllister’s Deli welcomes job coaches to visit and help employees if needed.
According to Stringer, there are participants in these programs who now have a voice in shaping the future treatment of people with disabilities.
Stringer’s store currently employs seven disabled workers, and she says they love what they do.
“One of my employees has gone to Washington, D.C., to advocate and speak for a group called Y.E.S. [Young Empowered Self-Advocates],” she says.
Many of these employees were working at the location when Stringer took over several years ago, but at that time they were not often given opportunities to take on certain tasks and learn new skills. Now, they can be found successfully running cash registers, delivering food, refilling beverages, preparing food and engaging with guests. “The guests that frequent our location are very happy that we have many great people with disabilities that are not only employed, but have a work environment that treats them as equals,” Stringer says.
Tyler Levy has been with McAllister’s for more than five years. Last year he went to Washington, D.C., to speak at the National Conference on Independent Living. Levy tears up with pride when speaking of Y.E.S., and of going into Jefferson County high schools to talk to students with disabilities. “The kids listen, pay attention and join in,” he says. “It’s amazing.” Levy has spoken publicly in Frankfort and believes disability advocacy is the most important thing he can do.
34 / ST. MATTHEWS MAGAZINE / APRIL 2020 / StMatthewsMag.com
