Approximately 50 million Americans have a disability, about one in five persons. Speech, visual and hearing impairments, mental retardation and epilepsy are a few of the disorders or conditions noted in U.S. Department of Justice regulations. Foodservice operators are just beginning to tap a resource that they long have shied away from. Local supported-employment programs, which help people whose disabilities are too severe for mainstream vocational training, can be a good source of special employees. University Memorial Center, in Boulder, Colo., employs workers through Chinook Clubhouse, a resource for people with mental illness.
Chinook is like an employment agency.
Some supported employment programs provide job coaches. With four disabled individuals and their coaches, as well as all the regular staff, it can become a little crowded. About 10 of his 70 foodservice employees have disabilities. Mark is deaf but has been in charge of dish room operations for nine years, opening it at breakfast and working through closing after lunch. Some dining service staffers are learning sign language.