LOS ANGELES — In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month we're shining a light on the success stories of people with disabilities thriving in their careers and the organizations making that possible.

What You Need To Know

  • National Disability Employment Awareness Month is observed each October

  • More than 22% of people with a disability were employed last year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

  • The employment rate for those without a disability is around 65% according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

  • One in four U.S. adults in the U.S. has a disability, according to the CDC

Andrew Macias, who has an intellectual disability, recently began working at Torrance Bakery. Despite only working there a month, he’s already proven his versatility, from working the front of the house to assisting in the bakery.

“I’ve kind of always wanted to know how to bake, so it’s like, really cool that I’m getting to be able to do this,” he said.

For Macias, the journey to finding this job wasn’t easy. Interviews felt like an uphill battle. 

“I would get so nervous,” he said. “I’d think I knew what I was going to say, but once I got in there, everything would just go out of my head.”

Then a counselor referred him to ICAN — a nonprofit organization dedicating to teaching individuals with disabilities with the skills they need to succeed in the workforce.

Lindsey Stone, Director of Development at ICAN, emphasizes the importance of confidence-building in their training programs.

“Individuals come to our program because they have the desire to work, but they don’t necessarily have the skills to do that,“ Stone said.

Through hands-on experience, including tasks like running a coffee cart, participants gain valuable knowledge in customer service and job readiness.

Danielle Esposito, who has Down syndrome, is another participant in ICAN’s programs. She currently holds a job at Subway, but hopes to grow her career in the culinary industry. “I really want to be a chef in a restaurant one day,” Esposito said.

At Torrance Bakery, owner Kirk Rossberg is proud of Macias’ progress. “It’s a great example for some of our other staff,” Rossberg said. “To show up with the good spirit.” 

Macias, who hopes to inspire others, offered this advice: “You just have to believe in yourself and work hard. That’s all it is.”

Macias’ and Esposito’s stories are proof that with the right support, the future is full of possibility.