Sam is a Starbucks barista who happens to have autism. To help him focus, he dances his way through the workday. After a video of his dance moves went viral, Ellen invited Sam and his awesome friend and boss to her stage. Sam’s story is a perfect example of how employers, like Starbucks, who have […]
Our dear friend and filmmaker Melanie Perkins McLaughlin is working on a new film project with Dan Habib (creator of Including Samuel, Who Cares About Kelsey? and many other disability and education-related films) with the working title “Intelligent Lives.” (Watch the incredible 14-minute preview,featuring a personal perspective and narration from Academy Award winning actor Chris […]
The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress’ Board of Directors recently approved a new award to recognize an Employer of the Year. The Employer Award will be given annually to a person or company who recognizes the inherent value that people with Down syndrome can bring to the workforce and act as role models for other employers […]
MANSFIELD – Christopher LeVangie is a young man on his way up. Two-and-a-half months ago, LeVangie, the 24-year-old son of Donatella LeVangie, so impressed the staff at the Renaissance Hotel at Patriot Place in Foxboro that he was hired on the spot to bus tables 20 hours a week at the hotel’s high end restaurant. […]
On January 25, Governor Charlie Baker and Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Ronald L. Walker, II, joined members of the Governor’s Task Force on Persons Facing Chronically Higher Rates of Unemployment to announce new initiatives addressing higher rates of unemployment faced by some populations, and a $5 million investment in the Fiscal Year 2017 […]
Hiring people with disabilities has had a positive impact for our stores, our customers, our communities and our entire staff. The employees that we bring in under this program are excellent; they are productive, do a great job and add to the workplace culture.
Two years ago, the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress conducted a comprehensive Membership Survey, the first such undertaking in our 30-year history. The 450 responses proved to be a wealth of data perfect for guiding our planning and activities for the future.
The nation recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act. There’s no arguing that the 1990 law ushered in a new era of civil rights for people with disabilities.
