HOPKINS, Minn. -- October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and advocates say there's a reason we need to keep talking about it.
People living with disabilities are twice as likely to be unemployed compared to those who aren't, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Opportunity Partners is working to close that gap. For 65 years, the Minnetonka-based nonprofit has offered employment and residential services to people with disabilities.
"Job developers work one-on-one with individuals to match that person's skills and interests with job descriptions and employers' needs. We also coordinate with the employer to support the process for onboarding and training for their new hire," said Carol Glazer, a job developer at Opportunity Partners.
In the last three years, the nonprofit has placed more than 400 people with disabilities in independent, community jobs.
At the Driskill's Downtown Market in Hopkins, general manager Deb Beckman said they currently have six employees through Opportunity Partners.
Tonya Eichholz, 41, of St. Louis Park has worked at Driskill's for about two years. She washes dishes, dusts and helps her co-workers in the deli department. Eichholz said she likes her current job because, "I can move around more."
Teddy Spencer, 29, of Wayzata has worked at Driskill's for almost a year. He can usually be found at the registers, helping bag groceries.
"I love it. Everything. I love it," Spencer said.
Beckman remembers when Teddy came in for his interview, saying, "Teddy sat down at my desk and gave me a huge smile and I don't think I needed to ask him any questions. It was an instant, 'You're hired.' He works from the heart."
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate among people with disabilities was 9.2 percent in 2017. That's twice as high as those without a disability.
Two-thirds of adults with disabilities are not in the labor force at all, meaning they're not working and not looking for work.
"By hiring a person with a disability, not only is your staff reflecting the community and more inclusive, but you're also helping that person open a door to a bigger world," Glazer said.
Employers interested in working with Opportunity Partners can find more information here.