LivAbility Magazine Edition 18
Story by Phil Pangrazio, President & CEO, Ability360
Photo by Estefanía Cavazos
Perhaps nothing is more empowering than having a job. A career.
In our capitalistic society, it is the yardstick for which society, right or wrong, measures your worth. Yes, we need society and business to be more accommodating, but so too, do I want to say to everyone with a disability, the time to make your way in this world is now.
LivAbility is constantly coming across amazing stories of people with some really cool careers. Often, the secret is that they followed their passion.
In this edition, we have three very different stories about people taking it upon themselves to create meaningful careers. From an amazing chef who continues to set the bar by opening up her own restaurant in Houston, to a young engineer who invented his own rehabilitation device, to an impressive young woman who is beginning to see her future helping animals.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an initiative that is led by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment. In 2019, the NDEAM theme is “The Right Talent, Right Now.” A fitting theme for all of us to remind those in the corporate world that we too belong.
But I would also remind all of us that right now is the time to show our value and push ourselves to follow your passion. You don’t always need a corporation to open the door.
Opportunities are everywhere.
This summer we welcomed Larry Wanger back to take over as the VP of Employment Services. I know Larry has some great ideas about how we can help consumers who want to work. I’m excited to see which one of you is the next we feature in LivAbility.
Ability360 has been and will always be working to improve the opportunities we all want and deserve. We will work for justice. But don’t just wait. I hope each of you gets out there and shows the world you’ve got what it takes.