October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to recognize the contributions, talents, and achievements of people with disabilities in the workforce and to promote inclusive employment opportunities for all.
This year’s Springbrook theme, “Every Talent Has Value. Every Person Has Potential.”, reflects our belief that meaningful employment creates opportunities for people to build confidence, develop skills, achieve personal goals, and contribute their unique strengths to their communities.
Follow Springbrook on social media and the website for stories of growth, success, and inclusion throughout the month.
Finding Her Voice: Amelia’s Growth Working at the Elizabeth Brewster House
For Amelia Brown, finding the right job meant discovering much more than a place to work. It meant finding her voice.
At 21 years old, Amelia has spent the past year working in recreation at the Elizabeth Brewster House, a distinguished senior living center in Homer, New York. Amelia currently works Thursday afternoons and weekends, helping coordinate and lead activities such as Bingo, Rummikub, and other interactive programs while also helping maintain activity spaces for residents.
While learning new skills and adapting to a new environment have been significant accomplishments, the greatest transformation has happened within Amelia herself. When Amelia first started at the Elizabeth Brewster House, she was often described as quiet and timid because speaking up for herself did not always come easily. Through the support of Springbrook Community Connections’ Supported Employment Program and the welcoming environment created by the Elizabeth Brewster House team, Amelia has grown into a confident self-advocate.
“Talking to someone you don’t know is tough,” Amelia shared. “But I learned some conversational cues and picked up on how to keep a conversation going.”
One of the biggest contributors to Amelia’s growth has been conducting room visits with residents. This task began as a simple responsibility, quickly becoming an opportunity to build meaningful connections and strengthen her communication skills. Through daily conversations and interactions, Amelia gained confidence speaking with people she had just met, helping her become more comfortable in social situations both at work and beyond.
Her role in recreation has allowed her bright personality and sense of humor to shine. Residents look forward to seeing her, and coworkers have come to rely on her positive attitude and dedication. The consistency of her schedule and clearly defined routine have also helped Amelia feel supported and successful in her role.
“Everyone deserves a chance to find a role that fits them,” said Kass Farr, Recreation Director at the Elizabeth Brewster House. “Having Amelia join the team has really given me a broader perspective on employment for all people regardless of their abilities.”
Amelia’s success has been supported by a network of people who believed in her potential. Through Springbrook Community Connections, Director of Employment Services, Michele Gravel helped Amelia identify a workplace that matched her strengths and interests. Her mother, Kelley, also played an important role in helping her navigate the job search process and find an environment where she could thrive.
Looking back on Amelia’s journey, Michele is most proud of the confidence Amelia has developed over the past year.
“Amelia has grown tremendously, especially in using her voice and advocating for herself,” Michele said. “She has become much more independent and confident communicating her needs and ideas.”
Today, Amelia looks forward to each shift, whether she’s updating activity boards, leading games, or spending time with residents. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder of what can happen when people are given the opportunity, support, and encouragement to succeed.
For Amelia, employment has been about more than gaining work experience. It has been about building confidence, creating connections, and discovering the strength to speak up for herself. And that may be her greatest accomplishment of all.
Written by Stephanie Curnalia, Marketing Associate
Building Confidence Through Inclusive Employment: Sophia’s Story
For Sophia, a job is more than a list of responsibilities. It is an opportunity to build independence, take pride in her work, and show others what people with disabilities can accomplish when given the opportunity to succeed.
Since joining Springbrook in the summer of 2024, Sophia has grown into a confident and dependable member of the team, helping maintain clean, welcoming spaces at Springbrook’s Norwich office and Day Habilitation program.
Working as a custodian, Sophia’s responsibilities include disinfecting surfaces such as tables and door handles, vacuuming, mopping, sweeping, taking out the garbage, and cleaning and restocking bathrooms. Her attention to detail has not gone unnoticed. People at both locations regularly compliment her work and the immaculate condition of the spaces she maintains.
By Sophia taking pride in her work, it also means recognizing the importance of the people who keep workplaces running behind the scenes. She believes maintenance staff deserve greater appreciation for the essential role they play in keeping buildings clean, safe, and ready for the people who use them every day. Outside of work, Sophia enjoys singing, dancing, and painting, an activity she finds especially calming. At work, she has discovered another source of fulfillment: building confidence in her abilities and demonstrating what she can accomplish independently.
When Sophia first started her job, her mother helped her along the way. Over time, she developed the confidence to take on her responsibilities more independently, growing into her role and becoming increasingly comfortable in the workplace. Her journey reflects the importance of having both an opportunity to work and the right support to help turn that opportunity into lasting success.
Mary Richardson, a Springbrook Employment Specialist who has supported Sophia for approximately two years, has witnessed that growth firsthand.
In the beginning, Sophia sometimes found it difficult to receive feedback about her work. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach, Mary worked with Sophia to find communication strategies that would help her feel comfortable, understand expectations, and continue developing her skills. One approach that proved particularly helpful was using sticky notes to communicate feedback and reminders. Together, Sophia and Mary also worked to identify the different cleaning needs of each space, recognizing that the Norwich Day Habilitation program requires particular attention to the needs of the many people it supports.
For Mary, one of the most rewarding parts of their work together has been seeing how much Sophia’s confidence has grown. She describes Sophia as bold, tenacious, and independent, with a little sass that makes her personality shine. She also recognizes the diligence, respect for her work environment, and attention to detail that Sophia brings to her job.
Mary’s experience demonstrates that successful employment support is not about expecting everyone to learn or work in the same way. It is about understanding each person, identifying what works best for them, and creating opportunities for them to grow.
For Mary, inclusive employment begins with a simple belief: “Everybody deserves to have a job that makes them happy, and to be able to build natural supports outside of their home.”
Mary has seen these impacts throughout her work supporting people in finding and maintaining employment. She recalls helping a young man find a job and hearing him say, “Grandma is going to be so proud of me.”
That moment stayed with her. It was a reminder that employment opportunities can mean so much more than a position or a paycheck. They can represent personal achievement, family pride, and the realization of a goal.
Through Springbrook’s Supported Employment Services, people receive individualized support as they explore employment opportunities, develop workplace skills, and work toward greater independence in their careers. Employment Specialists help people navigate challenges, identify strategies that work for them, and build the confidence to succeed in their chosen roles.
Mary sees her role as helping each person she supports grow, recognize their strengths, and embrace who they are. She is also a passionate advocate for the people she works with, often describing herself as “the loudest voice in the room” when it comes to ensuring they have the opportunities and support they deserve.
Sophia hopes her own experience will help change how others view disability and employment. Her goal is to raise awareness and show people that people with disabilities are more than capable of holding jobs, contributing to their workplaces, and doing their jobs exceptionally well.
This National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Sophia and Mary remind us that when people have access to meaningful employment and support that recognizes their individual strengths, the possibilities are infinite.
Written by Stephanie Curnalia, Marketing Associate
Daniel “Danny” Longoria Brings Dedication and Skill to The Country Diner
For Daniel “Danny” Longoria, working in a kitchen is about more than preparing food. It is an opportunity to build skills, contribute to a team, and do something he enjoys.
At 28, Danny has spent approximately a year and a half working as a prep cook at The Country Diner in Spencer, New York, where his focus, attention to detail, and dedication have made him a valued member of the team. Danny began working at the family-owned restaurant through a prevocational program after a Springbrook employment specialist connected him with Debby Hover, the diner’s owner and operator. With an interest in working in the kitchen, Danny welcomed the opportunity to put his skills to use in a professional setting.
Today, Danny works Wednesdays and Thursdays, helping prepare the kitchen for service. His responsibilities include portioning cheese, preparing French fries, slicing potatoes, and preparing ground beef for burgers. He has also learned new tasks, including refilling condiments and preparing French toast mix. Of all his responsibilities,
Danny especially enjoys preparing burgers. He has also learned to operate the diner’s traditional wall-mounted potato slicer, adding another skill to his growing experience in the kitchen.
Danny’s interest in cooking extends beyond the workplace. Skills he first began developing in high school have carried over into his personal life, where he can prepare a chicken parmesan sandwich entirely on his own. Outside the kitchen, he enjoys karaoke, going to the movies, and traveling. He has explored destinations along the East Coast and has even traveled to California.
For Debby Hover, welcoming Danny to The Country Diner was an easy decision. Having previous experience working with people with disabilities, she recognized the value of creating an opportunity for Danny to contribute his talents to the business.
Since joining the team, Danny has consistently demonstrated the qualities that make him a dependable employee. His dedication and attention to detail are among the many qualities Debby appreciates most about Danny. She has also noticed how quickly he adapts to new instructions and tasks, often completing his responsibilities without needing reminders or corrections.
Over time, Danny has become increasingly efficient in his work. His preparation helps ensure the kitchen is ready to serve customers, making his contributions an important part of the diner’s daily operations. Debby also appreciates Danny’s ability to work through occasional frustrations independently and his polite, focused approach to his responsibilities. She has found that positive encouragement helps motivate him and supports his continued growth.
Taylor Roscoe, Danny’s current employment specialist, shares Debby’s perspective. Taylor describes Danny as focused and independent, noting that he communicates his concerns when he needs assistance and does not require constant oversight to complete his work. With the foundation he has established at The Country Diner, Taylor hopes Danny will have opportunities to explore additional tasks in the kitchen and continue building on the skills he has developed.
For Debby, providing employment opportunities to people with disabilities is not simply about opening a door. It is also about recognizing the dedication, loyalty, and focus employees bring to their work, regardless of disability. Her commitment to inclusive employment was recognized in 2025 when The Country Diner received the New York State Regional Business Recognition Certificate during National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The recognition honors businesses that demonstrate a commitment to providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Taylor emphasizes that successful employment is about finding the right fit for both the employee and the business. When a person’s strengths align with the needs of a workplace, both benefit.
Danny’s story is a testament to that shared success. Through his work at The Country Diner, he has strengthened his food preparation skills, developed greater efficiency, and built positive relationships with his coworkers. Just as importantly, he has found a workplace where he enjoys showing up and contributing to the team.
As National Disability Employment Awareness Month highlights the value of inclusive workplaces, Danny, Debby, and Taylor demonstrate what is possible when employers recognize potential and provide opportunities for people to succeed.
Written by Stephanie Curnalia, Marketing Associate