New Beginnings: Accessing Good Jobs for All
By Sarina Mam
This year, we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month by sharing three inspiring stories of individuals with disabilities in the workforce.
For many Americans, work is more than just a paycheck. Work provides a sense of purpose, accomplishment, and identity. Employment gives people autonomy in their day-to-day lives, providing avenues to make valuable contributions and build lasting connections in their communities
Although employment is a central component of the American identity, people with disabilities are often underrepresented in the workforce. In February 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 22.5% of people with disabilities are employed. While this is the highest recorded percentage since data collection began in 2008, people without disabilities are nearly three times more likely to be employed. This shows that while great progress has been made in advancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities, we must continue promoting accessible and inclusive workforces.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), in which we celebrate the valuable contributions and talent of workers with disabilities, educate the community regarding the importance of an inclusive workforce, and reflect on the importance of ensuring that all workers have access to good jobs.
Each day, we are committed to supporting individuals with disabilities throughout their journey in the workforce, meeting individuals where they are to help them achieve their personal goals and aspirations. The Employment Services team at SpArc Philadelphia collaborates with each person involved in our programs to create a customized plan tailored to them, offering a well-balanced approach to preparing for, obtaining, and retaining competitive employment.
This year, we have helped many participants of the Cultural Arts and Vocational Training programs throughout their path to employment, and we are delighted to share their stories.
Cherie showing off her ID card from her brand new job as a sales associate at Ross.
Hailing from Northeast Philadelphia, Cherie has been involved in the Cultural Arts and Vocational Training programs at SpArc Services for nearly a year since rejoining after a brief hiatus. From working in the fast-food industry to Sesame Place, work has always been one of Cherie’s top priorities. After consulting with Tim Green, Job Developer at SpArc Philadelphia, and Eric Sodano, Director of Employment Services, Cherie reviewed her strengths and interests to determine what type of job she would like to obtain, and she set her eyes on the retail industry.
While securing employment is often difficult for many individuals with disabilities, Cherie began her new endeavor fairly quickly. She credits Tim and Eric for supporting her as she enjoys her new job at Ross as a sales associate. Cherie exclaimed, “Mr. Tim and Eric helped me find a job, and I appreciate both of them. They’re the two best people you can go to for a job, and they will get you a job right there and then.”
Although support provided by the Employment Services team at SpArc Philadelphia has guided Cherie throughout her employment journey, Cherie’s achievement in getting the job she wants is rooted in her own desire to improve, succeed, and be a good role model to her peers. “[SpArc] helped me become a leader,” Cherie said, “and teach several people here how to get a good job because they look up to me.”
As a diligent worker and talented creative, Cherie hopes for a future where she can use the talents and skills discovered and honed throughout her time at SpArc to create a business selling her art. “The Cultural Arts program showed me that art is a hobby you can become passionate about.” Cherie shared, “It’s therapeutic for me.” Although Cherie had previous success gaining employment, for many other individuals with disabilities, like Levi and Kenneth, their journey began later in life.
In addition to guiding individuals through the traditional employment process, the Employment Services team of SpArc Philadelphia also seeks to inform employers regarding the benefits of employing workers with disabilities.
After discovering a need for janitorial services at the Wissahickon Skating Club, Eric Sodano, Director of Employment Services, found that hiring participants from SpArc Services would fill that need, thus creating a mutually beneficial relationship for both the employer and the job-seeker.
After examining the job description and the accommodations it could provide, Eric began identifying individuals who did not previously have a job, with Levi and Kenneth immediately coming to mind. “We went through and looked at everybody who it made sense for,” Eric explained, “people that have other obstacles for them to get a job just on their own, out in the community, even with support.” Eric then sat down with Levi and Kenneth, explaining the job description, and they were excited to begin the process.
Kenneth, who is predominantly involved in the Cultural Arts program and an avid ice skater, was especially thrilled when Eric told him about the job. Since Kenneth isn’t quite as involved in the Vocational Training program as other participants, some worried he would be disinterested in working.
On the contrary, Kenneth has been excelling. Ms. D, Job Coach at SpArc Philadelphia, voiced her experience overseeing Kenneth, “I’m very proud of him. He’s an excellent worker, and once you train him to do one thing, he’s mastered it.” Once Kenneth began receiving his paychecks, his enthusiasm for the job grew even more.
Aniya Rogers, Program Specialist Team Lead at SpArc Philadelphia, noted, “He’s excited about every single paycheck. It’s definitely making him feel a sense of fulfillment, and he’s feeling like he has worth because he’s working just like we are.”
Every Monday, Kenneth comes to SpArc in his work uniform, fully prepared for what the day will bring him. Since beginning the job, Kenneth has had a more positive outlook on life. “Before he was working, [Kenneth] wasn’t always the happiest. He’d have negative thoughts in his head.” Aniya shared, “All of those behaviors decreased now that he has something he’s working towards. He sees the accomplishment of the paycheck.”
While Kenneth’s journey has just begun, he is delighted to continue working and having the opportunity to live more independently in the community on his own terms.
Levi, who has been part of the Vocational Training program since 2016, also began his first job working at the Wissahickon Skating Club. Before obtaining the job, Levi went through the general application and interview process, crediting Eric and his job coordinator for supporting him throughout his employment journey. Having a more direct personality, Levi needed a bit more guidance than others. Ms. D, his job coach, may redirect him toward his tasks, reassuring Levi when he asks if he’s doing the job correctly, and Levi continues to excel and progress every day.
“I think when he’s working, it takes his mind off other things,” Ms. D shared, “because I noticed he always says, ‘When Miss D moves, I move,’ which is good because I want him to work. I don’t want him to feel uncomfortable. I want him to feel like at the end of this, Levi, you get a paycheck.”
While receiving a paycheck is very important, working provides a sense of fulfillment, accomplishment, and identity like nothing else.
When asked about his plans for his first paycheck, Levi said, “I’ll give it to my mom so I can save up for a video game.” However, for Levi, his motivation isn’t necessarily about receiving paychecks but instead about what the paycheck represents.
“He seemed to be more excited about just working the job than actually getting the paycheck,” Rancell Henry, Program Specialist at SpArc Philadelphia, said, “It gives him a structure and a sense of responsibility, and he likes the reassurance that he’s doing a good job with his work.”
Now, every week when Monday arrives, Levi says, “I’m looking forward to Friday!” reminding Ms. D not to forget about his shift at the ice skating rink.
Every person, whether they have a disability or not, has individual wants, needs, and interests when it comes to work, and an accommodating atmosphere is central to creating a truly inclusive and accessible workforce. Given the opportunity, many individuals with disabilities are eager to contribute to their community, bringing diverse perspectives and invaluable talents to the workforce.
At SpArc Services, we will continue supporting individuals like Cherie, Kenneth, and Levi throughout their employment journey to promote independence, autonomy, and self-confidence for all.
To cultivate a truly inclusive work environment, we must encourage open dialogue where individuals can voice their needs and actively seek to address, understand, and find solutions to all possible barriers they may face, holding to a higher standard of progress over perfection. The Employment Services team at SpArc Philadelphia continues to work with individuals throughout their path toward and during employment to successfully transition from Vocational Training programs into careers that enable a more independent, sustainable future.
