BRAZIL, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. The agency highlights that those with disabilities add value to workplaces.
Helping disabled people is something Wabash Valley Goodwill’s Workforce Development Coach Lee Burgess does every day.
“I don’t do my jobs to get props for it,” said Burgess. “If I can inspire that one person to make that step forward and realize that just because they have a disability, it doesn’t mean that it is the end of the world for them. You can always overcome everything.”
Retail team member Gabby Knauer has a service dog that she brings to work to help with her autism and heart problems.
“I have lived most of my life with one and it has changed how I have been able to do things,” said Knauer. “This is actually the first job that has really respected him and let me have him.”
She said being able to have her dog with her makes her feel wanted and appreciated.
“When you are in a place that is not welcoming for health issues you don’t feel wanted,” said Knauer. “Being somewhere that wants to take care of you and want to go out of their way to take care of you makes you want to come to work.”
