Why we value workers with disabilities
When Daniel Costte opened his first paycheck standing in the lobby of the Embassy Suites where we both work, he reacted as if he’d won the lottery.
With an ear-to-ear smile, beaming with pride, he thanked me for allowing him the opportunity to work at the hotel. However his gratitude was unwarranted, because I’m the lucky one. Daniel, an employee on the autism spectrum, is a remarkable member of our team.
As the general manager of Embassy Suites in Walnut Creek, I am so grateful to have Daniel on my team. As an evening hospitality attendant, he sets up our happy-hour reception, replenishes food, assists the bartender and interacts with hotel guests.
Dressed sharply in his uniform and always on time, Daniel is friendly, polite and gracious to our customers. His energy and enthusiasm are contagious among our team. His presence makes our workplace more joyous and optimistic.
Most workplaces in California are not as fortunate as we are. In fact, about 9 of 10 adults of working age with autism or other forms of intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) are unemployed in the state. Many of these adults want to be a part of the workforce, but employers are often hesitant to hire employees with IDD.
As a manager of a large business, I can understand that there may be some questions regarding hiring someone with a disability. “Would we have to invest more time into training? Will that cost us more money? Will this work at my company?”
Personally, I can attest that hiring Daniel at Embassy Suites added immense value to our staff. We did not need to invest additional time or money into training, and the outcome was precisely aligned with our company’s mission and goals.
In fact, the process was painless because we worked with Contra Costa ARC’s Project SEARCH program, which pairs businesses with capable adults with IDD who are eager to intern in hopes to be hired full time.
Project SEARCH provides prescreened candidates for employers to select from, hands-on training and support for interns and employees, and long-term onsite job coaches who help ensure employees maintain success throughout their career.
The good news is that these kinds of programs and resources are available for employees and employers throughout the Bay Area. HireAble is an East Bay collaborative, employer-focused campaign among three nonprofit human service agencies: Contra Costa ARC, Futures Explored and East Bay Innovations. They offer employers a pool of dedicated and qualified candidates who meet the needs of all kinds of businesses that are hiring.
Thanks to these services, Daniel is one of four adults with IDD who have recently been hired at Embassy Suites in Walnut Creek through Project SEARCH. The others are a full-time dishwasher who came highly recommended from the kitchen staff where he interned, a full-time house aide and a laundry aide.
Embassy Suites’ staff is infinitely stronger with those four members of our team. All businesses in the Bay Area should think outside their norm and consider hiring individuals with disabilities at their workplace. Because when workplaces hire capable team members who happen to have a disability, the work product increases and staff culture is elevated.
Employees with disabilities are dedicated, dependable and eager to be hired. The talent is out there and the resources are available. Now it’s time for Bay Area business to tap into this underestimated and underutilized workforce.