Brandon Scott’s life journey embodies the idea of “disability pride.” Born without arms or legs, he’s spent his entire life embracing his disability and accepting invitations for support from places like Easterseals Crossroads, which taught him to go out into the world and hold his head high when using assistive technology.
“For me, [Disability Pride Month] is a reminder that my disability is not something to be hidden or ashamed of, but rather a vital part of who I am,” Scott said. “My power wheelchair is not just a piece of equipment; it’s an extension of myself, giving me the freedom to navigate the world.”
As a child, Scott received accommodation services from Easterseals Crossroads, and he attended the organization’s summer camps throughout his adolescence. Now, he’s come full circle to serving Easterseals as an employee, specifically as the group’s Content Creation Manager.
But not all Hoosiers with disabilities are as fortunate as Scott in that regard. Four out of every five Indiana residents with disabilities are unemployed.
As we celebrate Disability Pride Month and the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26th, here’s a look at a few Hoosier organizations striving to improve that statistic and promote pride in employees with disabilities.
Builders of a Diverse Hoosier Workforce
Conner Prairie: One of the most visited outdoor museums in the country, Conner Prairie has long been dedicated to building a diverse workforce, especially in regard to providing employment opportunities for the disability community. To that end, Conner Prairie is actively involved in the Fishers Disability Inclusion in the Workplace Business Networking Group, and Associate VP of Human Resources Shelby Slowik serves the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability.
“Conner Prairie supports a wide variety of roles that Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation recipients can qualify to perform as paid employees,” Slowik said. “We have many employees who qualify for vocational benefits that work in our Education, Interpretation, Food and Beverage, Livestock and Agriculture departments. Rather than disabilities, we prefer to concentrate on potential employees’ strengths and grow and develop those strengths to benefit both the employee and organization. Additionally, we ‘carve out’ job descriptions, meaning we think a job description should be a guidepost for a position rather than a rigid standard.”
Slowik added, “We also give employment transition specialists and coaches from various disability support organizations the chance to shadow positions here so they can determine their clients’ interests and capabilities. This is key to helping someone with a disability find meaningful work that they can enjoy and excel within.”
Statwax: Another member of the aforementioned Fishers disability inclusion networking group, this digital marketing agency is transparent about its efforts to create an inclusive work environment.
In an interview with Hamilton County Business Magazine, Statwax Founder Kelly Hendricks said, “We believe that by focusing on inclusion of folks with disabilities, we will not only improve our businesses and communities, but open up opportunities to folks who may not have had them previously. [Our team members with disabilities] bring perspectives that we didn’t previously have in our business, which enriches the internal and external teams we work with. We can’t be the best business and community partners without a variety of voices in our organizations, and our employees with disabilities have helped us continue to grow in multiple ways.”
As Statwax’s website even states, “We don’t have the same culture that we had when we were a company of five people. In fact, the culture we have when you read this won’t be the same one that we have when we reach the next milestone of team growth — and we like it that way.”
Howdy’s Homemade Ice Cream: Although it’s growing as a national franchise business, Howdy’s hasn’t lost sight of its mission for the disability community. Its vetting process for potential franchisees requires that the focus of each store is to employ individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). Howdy Indy has maintained a 99 percent employee retention rate since it opened in 2022. While delicious ice cream is the end product, the ultimate goal of the business is “to help communities tackle the unfortunate reality of underemployment for the neurodiverse population,” as Chief Operating Officer Cindy Carter said.
Howdy’s aims to serve as a model for how businesses should go about welcoming workers with disabilities. As Founder and CEO Tom Landis said, “I’m not sure that employers think there is risk, but it’s more likely that they just don’t know how to go about [hiring people with disabilities]. There are differences in how people with IDDs learn and process information, but with some modifications to the training manuals coupled with creating a repetitive training program, they become excellent employees.”
Erskine Green Training Institute (EGTI): The first postsecondary vocational training program of its kind in the country, EGTI provides training in hospitality, food service, healthcare, and inventory distribution. EGTI’s programming is designed for “individuals whose academic, social, communication, and adaptive skills are affected due to a disability.” Students in the program graduate with a certificate, resume, practiced interview skills and a list of open positions in their community. More than 80 percent of graduates have secured employment in communities throughout Indiana.
The Power of Disability Pride
According to the Department of Labor, companies regarded as leaders in disability inclusion had, on average, over a four-year period of 28 percent higher revenue, double the net income and 30 percent higher economic profit margins than their counterparts. This serves as proof of the power of disability pride. This month is a fitting time to promote that power.
“Disability Pride Month challenges the stereotypes and misconceptions that often surround people with disabilities,” Scott said. “My disability does not define my capabilities or limit my potential; instead, it has shaped my resilience and determination. Disability Pride Month is a time to showcase our strengths, talents and contributions to society. By celebrating our diverse abilities, we break down the barriers of ignorance and prejudice.”