In Tennessee, a group called The GEAR Foundation is working hard to help young adults and adults with disabilities and special needs find jobs and become independent. Their mission is simple: “to provide individuals with disabilities work experiences, which will enable them to discover and develop their unique capabilities and potential, and to help them achieve the highest degree of independence and self respect.”
Individuals with disabilities are often overlooked when it comes to finding a job. Their abilities can be vastly underrated and they are left to live a life dependent on others with no hope for their future. The GEAR Foundation is trying to put an end to that.
The group doesn’t just stick people with disabilities into jobs that no one else wants. Rather they have created two businesses, a thrift store and a fulfillment center, which employ people ages 17-52 who happen to have special needs. Workers without special needs are hired to help train them. In fact, 20 of their 31 current employees have special needs including autism, cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy.
In 2009, The GEAR Foundation partnered with Tech-Pros to create computer technician job training for young adults with special needs. In addition, in 2008 they were awarded the Shining Apple Award in the Business and Industry Category from Williamson County Schools.
The group was formed when founder Dave Krikac’s autistic daughter graduated from high school and was unable to find a job. The family found out that more than half of the adults with disabilities in their county were unemployed. The Krikac family was inspired to build businesses that would offer not only jobs to these individuals but a sense of purpose, new skills and independence. Today, the services that employees of The GEAR Foundation provide include retail store support, commercial janitorial services, mailbox painting, grounds litter control, small assembly and packaging, and bulk mail processing. And with more ideas for more business, Krikac, is eager to help even more people with disabilities gain their independence and the respect of their community.