It’s undeniable that individuals with disabilities face greater challenges in finding and retaining employment. Whether due to physical or mental limitations, these challenges can hinder their success in securing a preferred job. In some cases, employers may fail to recognize the unique strengths and abilities that these individuals bring to the table.
However, recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor (2023) offers a glimmer of hope. It reveals a promising trend in business ownership among people with disabilities. The report highlights that around 9.5% of individuals with disabilities are self-employed business owners, a rate significantly higher than the 6.1% among people without disabilities. This suggests that individuals with disabilities are more likely to embrace entrepreneurship, creating their own opportunities rather than relying on traditional employment.
Owning a business can eliminate many of the common barriers faced in the job market, such as the struggle of job searching, conforming to workplace culture, and working in environments that may not be ideal.
The benefits of self-employment are clear: entrepreneurs have the flexibility to set their own hours, create an environment that plays to their strengths, and ultimately design a career path that allows them to thrive. For individuals with disabilities, this offers a unique opportunity to focus on their specific talents and skills, which are often distinctive and highly valuable. If you build it, they will come!
But when and how should families start exploring entrepreneurship opportunities for their children?
Caroline De Vega, a dedicated mother, is actively supporting the independence of her daughter Polly and other local youth by providing hands-on job training through the pop-up café she runs out of her garage. This unique initiative offers valuable work experience while fostering entrepreneurship skills, helping young people gain confidence and independence in a real-world setting.
In an interview with Caroline, she shared what inspired her to start Polly’s Cafe, their mission, and some general tips for families who would be interested in starting something similar for themselves.
It was actually Polly who inspired me to start this endeavor. Our story centers around her and the way she interacts with her environment (home and community). Each child is capable of learning and we, as adults, are responsible for instilling the core values that will empower a child to be a contributing member of our society. Polly has a genetic condition called DiGeorge syndrome, as well as a diagnosis of Autism and sensory-processing disorder in her early years, and a diagnosis of epilepsy in her teen years. She uses a non-verbal form of communication through her AAC device These things can make it seem already daunting to think about the future, but Polly's Cafe is all about meeting individuals where they are at.
How do you see Polly's Café helping Polly develop essential skills for her future, and what specific skills are you hoping she will gain from this experience?
By providing a structured environment for Polly, she is able to navigate the work station with ease, also knowing that I am there to support her independence. Emotional regulation can be challenging among teens, but Polly is aware of what she can and cannot do, how much she can handle, and has access to her sensory/self-regulation tools when needed.
More than just the basic skills of taking orders using the AAC device, making simple coffee using the keurig machine, restocking supplies, and cleaning and organizing work stations, I am more focused on character building. Core values such as patience in learning how to operate a machine, perseverance in finishing a task, respect towards peer workers, and prioritizing commitment to work are at the core of this endeavor, hence our tagline: “Serving Ordinary Coffee with an Extraordinary Heart.”
What are the main goals you hope to achieve with Polly's Café beyond offering job training?
Our mission is to provide an inclusive environment where individuals with and without autism (and special needs) are empowered to train to work together in providing service to the community.
Our vision is to create a community that values neurodiversity with respect and dignity through a culture of awareness, acceptance, and action.
Every barista in the cafe can be encouraged to create their own cafe with their families' support and personalize it; for example, Balian's Cafe or Donovan's Cafe. Polly's Cafe is an educational space that empowers people in the community to renew the way they think about having a diagnosis as something limiting or wrong; rather, it is the baseline of doing something good for others.
How have the local youth, including Polly, responded to the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through the café? Have you seen any personal or professional growth in them?
We are in our pioneering adventure to work with individuals who are mostly non-verbal or who have some vocals as well, and honestly, Polly has enjoyed being around her teen friend baristas: Donovan, Balian and Keira. They are able to take turns serving coffee with our support as Barista Moms (Anh, Ria and Michele). Seeing the smiles on their faces when they receive affirmations from their guests is priceless. They feel valued, worthy, and that they matter. Their self-confidence grows and so they enjoy doing their tasks. When their unique potentials are celebrated, they can dream big for themselves.
How do you plan to expand or evolve Polly’s Café in the future? Are there any specific projects or initiatives you’re hoping to implement?
In the future, we hope to be an after-school program or an adult-day program for our children. We want to educate, not just exist. We plan to continue our pop-up booths at different local marketplace events in the community; partner up with a local restaurant to hold Autism Awareness and Acceptance events; and host holiday events. We have featured young bakers like Haley's Delights in our pop-up booths and we plan to continue to promote an inclusive space where typically developing youth like Haley can be peers with our children. Our dream is big—perhaps a food truck or an actual space for Polly's Cafe? Why not?!
What advice would you give to other parents or community members interested in starting similar initiatives to promote youth entrepreneurship and independence?
My advice is to follow your child's lead. It was Polly who nodded her head "yes" when I asked if she wanted to become a business owner. She created the menu using her AAC device: coffee, hot chocolate, and tea, and of course, desserts like donuts, cookies, and cupcakes. She picked her own logo out of the three samples that I created. Her "voice" matters to me and she definitely knows that her main purpose is to serve her community. Another thing is to know that you cannot do it on your own. Bring your closest friends in and collaborate. Work on their strengths and build them up as well.
We hope this article has inspired you and your family to explore employment opportunities for your loved one from a fresh and innovative perspective. Stay in touch to get more tips and ideas by reaching out to info@behaviorpivot.com.
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