October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). NDEAM commemorates the many and varied contributions of people with disabilities to America’s workplaces and economy. The theme for NDEAM 2021, “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion,” reflects the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment and community involvement during the national recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In recognition of NDEAM, Independence Now consumer, Willie, shared his story with us!
Hi, my name is Willie McKnight. In October 2016 I was diagnosed with a stroke and walking became very challenging. At the time I had a full-time job for over 20 years as an alarm security technician. From 2016 to 2019, I had to rehabilitate with physical therapy and multiple treatments. In March 2019, I found the Ticket to Work Program through Social Security and was referred to Denise Sosbee at Independence Now. She was great! She gave me the tools and resources to find work because after 20 years things have changed - and on top of it all the pandemic! At times I felt discouraged but stayed positive and found a job with Amazon. This month October 2021 will be a year of employment - and also the job helps me with my physical abilities.
![Green graphic that says, “Working...has been extremely fruitful and rewarding. [My new job] is a perfect balance between what I used to do and have experience in and learning new things, i.e., what a person-centered plan for someone with an intellectual disability would look like.” “I am glad I can start contributing to our household among other things.”](https://www.innow.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Nikos-Daley.png)
