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Fansher says there is really no difference between those with and without a disability.
“I think [society should] look at people with disabilities as someone in the community, and just as a person, and that they have the right to work just like everybody else, and they have skills and abilities just like everybody else, they just may present them in a different way. Employers [also] provide accommodations to their employees all the time.”
Gansevles agrees and adds that having communities move forward with acceptance is exactly what we need to do.
“It’s so important, especially now in 2018 to have your workforce reflective of your community. If 1 in 6 people have a disability, having staff that have a disability, and having a workforce that’s reflective of that is very important.”
Perhaps workers with disabilities may work slower at times, but Fansher says they are great employees who try their best and are very hard-working.
“Once they find a job… it’s a great benefit to the employer and to them because they have the ability to earn an income and they’re very loyal employees. They’re very appreciative of getting that job so they are very safe employees. They show up on time, [and] they’re dedicated to what they’re doing.”
The best way to achieve a more accepting future is to support the right groups of people, and Gansevles knows exactly who they are.
“Something that we can do as a community is support employers that show that they have a reflective workforce. You go somewhere and you see that this is an employer that is hiring for the skill, and so they’re hiring people with disabilities, they’re hiring people with different cultures and different backgrounds. Support those employers because they’re doing the right thing.”
Hutton House offers many programs that support those with disabilities including employment services, fitness classes, and adult education programs.
