Thursday, October 11, 2012

31 for 21: Individual with Down Syndrome Owns His Own Restaurant

(original story here)

KALAMAZOO, MI -- The Arc Community Advocates will host its 6th annual Inclusion Conference Friday, Oct. 12, at the Fetzer Center at Western Michigan University.

The conference will focus on issues related to employment for individuals with disabilities. The main speakers will include an individual with Down Syndrome, Tim Harris, the owner of Tim’s Place in Albuquerque, NM.

"I had a dream for over ten years to own my own restaurant. In October of 2010, my dream came true. It feels great to be working in the restaurant and making a living like my brothers. I want have everyone with a disability to make their dreams come true," says Tim Harris. Mitch Morgan of Fifth/Third Bank will also speak about the success their organization has seen in hiring individuals with disabilities.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2011 only 20.8 percent of individuals with disabilities were participating in the workforce through active employment or receiving unemployment benefits while seeking employment compared with 69.5% of individuals with no disability. The Inclusion Conference will offer workshops for individuals with disabilities to help them gain skills for employment as well as workshops for employers to provide resources, training, and information on employment of individuals with disabilities.

Ellen Stone, Executive Director of The Arc Community Advocates, says, “As we move forward in creating a community where all individuals are accepted and valued, we are excited about the potential for this conference to help close the employment gap for our community.”
Registration is $25 and includes lunch for the day. Registration forms can be found at www.communityadvocates.org or by calling 269-342-9801.

The Arc Community Advocates will also be hosting a free film festival that focuses on films discussing employment of individuals with disabilities on Thursday, Oct. 11, from 7-9 p.m. at Rave Motion Pictures in Downtown Kalamazoo.

Tickets can be picked up in advance at The Arc Community Advocates office, 814 S. Westnedge Ave. or can be obtained at the door.

— Story provided by Arc Community Advocates.


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