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There is a charity that my family supports that works with developmentally disabled people. One of the interesting things I learned when I attended one of their fundraisers was that part of their mission was finding jobs that developmentally disabled people would excel at due to their disability.

For instance: the guy who takes the ticket at the theaters in my city (Phoenix) is often a DD person. I thought this was odd, until I made the connection that this is literally a partnership between that company an the charity I'm talking about.

Most punk kids will get bored at this job, be snarky, not want to do it, etc. But some people with certtain DDs actually really enjoy it. They get to talk to people, they feel useful instead of feeling like a burden, they get a paycheck, etc. And for the company (harkins theaters) they get a happy, competent employee that enjoys their job.

It's a win win. And it's a perfect example of embracing the concept of "differently abled" instead of disabled. Made me really happy to learn that.




I once interviewed with a company in NC that only employed blind people (to manufacture reading glasses, of all things!). NC has a provision for sub-minimum wage payments for those with disabilities [0]. This is to encourage employers to hire those with disabilities and give them at least some form of a wage. Per the interviewing process, it really seemed to help a lot of disabled people have a life. Their jobs got them out of the house/care facility, interacting with other people, and gave them a purpose in life(however mundane). Though I declined the job, it was an incredible company and view into the day to day lives of disabled citizens and their struggles. More states should consider such provisions to see if they may work for their people.

[0] https://www.employmentlawhandbook.com/wage-and-hour-laws/sta...


Would you happen to know in which part of the manufacturing process they worked?


Per the interview, the blind employees assembled and packaged the glasses. There was supervision from sighted employees, but most of the assembly was via the blind.


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Please don’t bring that garbage reddit pun stuff here, it ruins any discussion it appears in.


My mom used to be an executive director that found work and provided housing for developmentally disabled adults. I remember the challenge they had finding jobs they could excel at. They got a contract with Hitachi to pack boxes, once they worked with the factory to delegate the work, which involved color coding the boxes and determine the packing order, it became one of the favorite jobs for individuals with more individuals wanting the job then there where positions. It was great for the lower functioning individuals who were not in a position to engage with others. The other jobs that got filled quickly were custodial for the higher functioning individuals.


Interesting. Your post reminded me of this story in Australia recently. While this man wasn't placed through a charity, he found a similar enjoyment in his job

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3869008/McDonald-s-...


great observation. I noticed the same phenomenon but did not know there is a back story


Even Epsilons are useful. We couldn't do without Epsilons. Every one works for every one else.


If we were creating them, then _Brave New World_ would be very applicable. But helping someone who has come to be through no intention of others accomplish good things in their life is good.


We are creating them. Not through cloning, but the old way. Once you realize that, everything falls into place.


Almost no one chooses that their child should have a disability. Epsilons were created for their plasticity.




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