One Job at a Time
February 11, 2008 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
“As a parent, I saw the future and so the question is, given our position, what do we do about it? Maybe we could be an example, maybe we could use our position of leadership to try to change the work environment.”
So Walgreens executive Randy Lewis—who has a 19-old-son with autism—says in an ABC news report on companies employing disabled employees. More than 40 percent of the 700 workers at the Walgreens distribution center in Anderson, South Carolina are disabled. Another quote from Lewis:
“People come to me and say, will this work in my environment? Yes, it will. This is not just a good thing to do, the right thing to do. This is better…..When you walk through this building, there is a sense of purpose. Everybody knows why they’re here. Everybody helps each other. This has transformed the people that work here.”
My son’s school district has a vocational program for special needs students, should that be the right educational direction for them. Students start by working in offices and buildings around the school district; a supervisor constantly canvasses the community to find local businesses that might consider employing a disabled student for an internship—-and, job by job, to change the work environment.
Reading this makes me feel good about shopping at Walgreen’s.
There’s one not far from our old house that I still stop in from time to time—-kind of a beat-up store but a nice homey feeling.
I just watched Today’s Man, and I have to say, this post gives me a lift. Thank you for sharing, Kristina, I had no idea about Walgreen’s but I do shop there often–even more so, now.
“This is not just a good thing to do, the right thing to do. This is better…..” This warms my heart.
I love this story … here’s hoping many other corporations will step up as well. They would be LUCKY to have individuals with autism as their employees..
My employer just started a similar program and our department is expected to have 1, possibly 2 developmentally-disabled individuals employed later this year. Initially, they will be accompanied by a trainer and after 6 months will be considered for competitive employment. The job is not “busy work” either; it’s a support position involving filing and issuing checks for bill payment which was formerly held by a non-disabled person. I am really looking forward to seeing how this works as we will be beginning consideration of transition/job training programs for my ASD daughter in 2 years!