Tag: National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Community Spotlight on Catherine Prior – Soaring with Confidence at Salesforce

This National Disability Employment Awareness Month, The Arc of California proudly celebrates Catherine “Cathy” Prior, whose nine-year career at Salesforce reflects the power of inclusion, perseverance, and partnership between employers and The Arc of San Francisco’s Supported Employment program.

Cathy, 56, is known for her warm personality, reliability, and enthusiasm. Her goal was to maintain long-term employment and increase her independence — goals she continues to achieve with grace and determination.

When Cathy first joined Salesforce as a contractual employee, she quickly impressed her team with her commitment and positivity. Her supervisor, Joseph Traylor, reflects, “Cathy has grown into a beautiful butterfly and spread her wings.” Recognizing her talent and reliability, Salesforce brought her on full time in 2016 — a milestone that marked the beginning of a lasting and meaningful career.

Through the employment support services of The Arc of San Francisco, Cathy receives on-the-job coaching that helps her manage anxiety and build confidence in her daily responsibilities. Her job coach provides reassurance and calm encouragement when she feels uncertain — empowering her to trust her skills and shine in her role.

“Cathy’s joy for her work is infectious,” shared a representative from The Arc of San Francisco. “She’s a reminder that with the right support and an inclusive employer, people can truly flourish in their careers.”

In 2025, Cathy’s dedication was recognized when she received the Arc WorkLife Resiliency Award, after being nominated by her supervisor for her exceptional performance during a difficult time in her personal life. She also received a plaque from Salesforce and The Arc for her five years of service — a symbol of her loyalty and resilience.

“I love coming to work every day and doing my job and making people happy,” Cathy says with pride.

Cathy’s story is a testament to what’s possible when businesses like Salesforce partner with organizations like The Arc of San Francisco to create truly inclusive workplaces — places where talent is recognized, effort is celebrated, and every employee is valued for who they are.

Celebrating Inclusion: Russell’s Journey to Employment Success at Gold Coast Transit District

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to recognize the contributions of individuals with disabilities in the workforce and the employers who champion inclusion. Today, we shine a spotlight on Russell Kantun, a 21-year-old who has turned determination and opportunity into a story of success-thanks to the support of Gold Coast Transit District and The Arc of Ventura County.

A Partnership Driving Opportunity

Gold Coast Transit District, Ventura County’s leading public transportation provider, is more than just buses and routes-it’s a workplace committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming environment. Their culture is described as supportive, accommodating, and friendly, where every team member is greeted with a smile and a “good morning.” This commitment to inclusion made them the perfect partner for The Arc of Ventura County in fostering meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Russell’s Path to Employment

Before joining Gold Coast Transit District, Russell participated in the STEP Program and completed a Paid Internship at Cal Fire, where he learned essential workplace skills like cleaning, restocking, and food prep. These experiences laid the foundation for his next big step-­ handling currency at Gold Coast Transit.

Today, Russell works 10 hours a week in the secure cash room, where he plays a vital role in processing fare revenue. His responsibilities include:

    • Sorting and stacking cash bills from bus fare boxes
    • Using a counting machine to verify amounts
    • Wrapping and bagging currency for deposit
    • Weighing coin bags to 20 lbs and labeling them with date and weight

Russell’s goal was clear: become efficient in handling currency and record-keeping, and perform tasks independently without job coach assistance. With guidance from his job coach and the support of Gold Coast Transit staff, Russell has made remarkable progress. He now confidently counts, records, and prepares deposits-skills he once thought were out of reach.

Overcoming Challenges, Building Confidence

When Russell started, he had no understanding of money or how to use counting machines. Through patient training and observation, he learned each step of the process. His job coach from The Arc of Ventura County worked closely with him, ensuring accuracy and reinforcing employer protocols. Today, Russell takes initiative, moving from one task to the next without prompting-a true sign of growing independence.

What This Job Means

For Russell, the job is more than a paycheck. “I like it because I earn money and now understand the value of a dollar, ” he shares proudly. His job coach adds, “Russell has become very focused on his tasks and is eager to learn more. ”

Gold Coast Transit District echoes this sentiment, viewing Russell’s success as the beginning of something bigger: a pathway to future employment opportunities for others with disabilities.

Looking Ahead

Russell has been with Gold Coast Transit for four months, and while formal recognitions are still ahead, his achievements speak volumes. His story is a testament to what’s possible when employers, community organizations, and individuals work together to create inclusive workplaces.

As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, let Russell’s journey inspire us all to continue breaking barriers and building opportunities-because inclusion drives us forward.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Are you ready?

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and this year’s theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent.” People with disabilities bring skills, creativity, and perspective that strengthen every workplace. Yet, hiring barriers and bias still shut many out. Only about 37% of people with disabilities are employed, compared to 75% of those without disabilities. October gives us a chance to raise awareness, challenge bias, and promote inclusive practices that benefit everyone. Learn more about NDEAM and how you can promote and prioritize building a more inclusive workforce using a guide created by The Arc of the United States. Click HERE to view “A Starters Guide to Creating an Inclusive Workplace.”

If you have an employment success story, and would like to share it with us, please email a photo and your story to info@thearcca.org.

People with Developmental Disabilities Make Great Employees

Joshua said it was hard to get a job at first because he wasn’t given a chance to prove himself.  Once he was hired, his co-workers valued his contribution.  According to the US Census Bureau, only 19% of working age adults with developmental disabilities are employed. The majority of those employed are working only part-time or earning sub-minimum wage, leading to a disproportionate number of people with disabilities living in poverty and seclusion from their community. For those who are non-disabled, the employment rate is 64%.

For National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) we want to raise awareness about the many benefits of creating an inclusive and diverse workplace.

Research conducted by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) reveals that the majority of workplace accommodations cost nothing to make, which is the most common concern expresses by businesses.

A recent article in Forbes noted the following “Seven reasons why hiring people with disabilities is good for business“:

  • Improves the overall bottom line
  • Reduced turnover rate
  • Discover untapped potential
  • Improve company culture
  • Expands consumer markets
  • Financial incentives
  • Meets government requirements

People with disabilities contribute to an organization’s success by bringing unique perspectives and experiences to the workplace.

Joshua’s employment success is featured in a series of personal stories by The Arc of the United States. There are many ways to get on a path to employment through training and placement agencies.  Contact your local regional center or Arc affiliate to learn more about how you can access employment training and placement services in your area, or to make your business more diverse and inclusive.

WATCH VIDEO: https://youtu.be/ElylSTb3OxY 

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