Barby Moro
 |  Your Turn

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). It’s a reminder that when workplaces welcome diverse talents, everyone benefits.

At Independence Landing—an affordable, supportive residential community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities—we see this truth every day in our culinary workforce development program. Our mission is to help residents live with independence, and meaningful work is a vital part of that goal. Employment not only provides a paycheck, but also brings confidence, purpose, and a greater sense of belonging in the community.

This semester, 22 paid trainees—residents of Independence Landing and students from Leon County Schools’ transition program—are working side by side in our kitchen. Under the leadership of Executive Chef Nikki Pettineo, our Culinary Director, they’re learning from a curriculum backed by the National Restaurant Association. This nationally recognized training ensures that our program meets industry standards and prepares trainees for real-world opportunities.

They’re not just cooking meals. They’re learning how to collaborate with others, follow schedules, serve customers, and take responsibility for tasks from start to finish. These are skills that matter in every industry, not only in food service. Already, 37% of our program graduates are employed in the community, a rate far higher than the national average for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. That statistic is more than a number—it represents doors opening, lives changing, and families seeing what’s possible for their loved ones.

The progress we witness is inspiring. One resident who once hesitated to step into the kitchen now proudly prepares meals for dozens of people. A student who struggled in the classroom thrives when given hands-on tasks with clear steps and supportive mentorship. Repeatedly, we see that when individuals are provided with structure, routine, and kindness, they rise to the occasion and discover abilities they may not have known they had.

That’s the lesson of NDEAM: success looks different for everyone, but it is always possible. A variety of skills and experiences strengthens workplaces. Employers who hire people with disabilities are simply not doing something good for the community; they are gaining employees who are resilient, dedicated, and eager to prove themselves. These workers bring persistence, creativity, and perspective that enhance any team.

If you own a café or restaurant and are interested in meeting one of our graduates who is ready to work, please reach out—we would love to connect you.

This National Disability Employment Awareness Month let’s commit to building workplaces where everyone has a seat at the table. Because when individuals are challenged, supported, and encouraged, they succeed. And when we build workplaces where everyone belongs, we all do.

Barby Moro is the executive director of Independence Landing, Tallahassee’s only affordable, permanent supportive housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and can be reached at barby@independencelanding.org.

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