Although, by law, everyone has equal employment rights, the reality often tells a different story. This is especially true for people with disabilities, who face numerous challenges on their path to securing a job. They are often turned away due to biases, mistrust, lack of necessary working conditions, and more. Read further on dallas-name for more details.
Employment Statistics for People with Disabilities
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 21.3% of people with disabilities in the United States are employed or actively seeking employment. This figure is alarmingly low, especially when compared to the 67.1% of Americans without disabilities who can fully participate in the workforce.
Fortunately, many employers are working to address this issue by integrating people with disabilities into the workforce. Recently, it has become increasingly clear that candidates with special needs are just as capable as others. In fact, they are often more motivated and hardworking.
Hugs Greenhouse
In McKinney, a town north of Dallas, there is a greenhouse called Hugs Greenhouse. It was developed as the second project under the direct employment program by Hugs Cafe Inc. Hugs Greenhouse provides horticulture and retail training to individuals with disabilities who are eager to work. Employment here not only offers these individuals long-awaited jobs but also provides them with independence and respect.
The development of this business, which employs people with disabilities, is supported by Bill Crump and his team.
Bill Crump is a local legend in the greenhouse business. His ancestors founded their first agricultural enterprise in 1939, called Crump Family Farm. Over the years, the business expanded, and additional branches opened, including Crump’s Garden and Nursery. Bill Crump is not only known as an experienced gardener but also as someone deeply concerned with helping others.
At Hugs Greenhouse, employees with disabilities grow and sell plants well-suited to the North Texas climate. These are typically annual and perennial plants that are drought-resistant.
Employees with disabilities participate in every stage of production—from soil preparation to selling the plants. Since, for many of them, this is their first job, the management team helps them grow and overcome their fears.
GreenWorks
The GreenWorks greenhouse by Goodwill Industries officially opened in May 2017. It was built in southern Fort Worth specifically to assist local residents with special needs.
One of the first workers at the greenhouse was Pedro Cordeo. From birth, Pedro has had physical and mental challenges that significantly affected his life. Due to these, he had little hope of finding employment. However, GreenWorks became his saving grace. Through working there, Pedro not only developed several professional skills but also learned how to interact with others.
The special program developed for employees of this inclusive greenhouse helps them gain skills necessary for real-life situations, enabling them to become more independent. They start by growing vegetables and greens and then sell them to local residents. This approach is called “horticultural therapy,” and its distinctive feature is that by interacting with a garden environment, people with disabilities improve both their physical and emotional well-being.
A Dallas Resident with Autism Working in a Greenhouse
At Ruibal’s Plants of Texas, Juan, a graduate of the Notre Dame School of Dallas, works in their Dallas greenhouses. At 18, he successfully completed an internship at the company. Juan waters plants, sweeps floors, organizes shelves, and even assists customers with their vehicles. Within a short time, he became an indispensable worker at Ruibal’s Plants of Texas, despite the fact that many other employers rejected him due to his autism.
Juan quickly became a valued member of the team for several reasons. First, he has numerous professional skills that help him perform his job well. Secondly, although Juan has autism, it doesn’t hinder his ability to be friendly and honest—qualities his colleagues greatly appreciate.
Since 1990, Ruibal’s Plants of Texas has been happy to employ graduates from the Notre Dame School of Dallas. According to the greenhouse owner, employees with special needs excel in their work. They are always positive and happy, as they are more appreciative of their job opportunities than most. Moreover, they possess unique strengths and talents that simply need to be nurtured. For example, individuals with autism are often highly focused, attentive to detail, and have excellent memories.
The increasing number of businesses willing to integrate people with special needs into the workforce is a promising development. This trend reflects a shift in societal consciousness that is both heartening and necessary.