Empowering Hotels: Leveraging the Strengths of Employees with Disabilities

My wife Lynn and I are proud parents to Joshua, our 25-year-old son with Autism, diagnosed around 3.5 years old. Over the past two decades, our focus has been on ensuring his mainstreamed happiness. He's currently engaged in two part-time jobs, where his dedication shines through, showcasing him as a committed employee who genuinely enjoys his work.

I've been fortunate to interact with various individuals with disabilities, continuously learning valuable lessons about love and helping others. The hospitality industry faces a substantial demand for motivated workers. A recent study conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association revealed that 80% of surveyed hotels have vacant positions. With four decades of experience in the hospitality sector, I've come to realize that it presents an excellent employment opportunity for adults with disabilities. Many of the roles in this industry involve repetitive tasks, which align well with a significant portion of job-seekers in this group. My son, for example, finds great satisfaction in following a checklist, a sentiment I share in my own work routine.

We are enthusiastic about In Good Company (IGC) as it offers a means to support individuals in roles where we had hopes and ideas but lacked the vehicle. IGC is stepping in to guide employers on how to maximize success with these placements, ultimately providing a win-win scenario for both employees and employers.

The exciting news is that the hospitality industry is on a continuous growth trajectory. New hotels are continually being built, and this expansion will generate job opportunities that are well-suited for our target demographic, providing them with fulfillment and a sense of purpose while providing hotel management with excellent employees.