Lexi's National Disability Employment Awareness Month Success Story
By Drew Milne
Employment is not just a way to earn money. Employment is a way of making connections, finding your identity, and building responsible habits that you can apply for the rest of your life. Having a job can also be an important way for people to participate in their communities. This is especially important for people with disabilities, who can sometimes be excluded by the lack of accessible resources. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 21% of people with disabilities in the US are employed as of 2022. As such, many people with disabilities are missing out on the benefits of employment.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. In observance, we want to highlight the great steps forward that are being made in the field of disability employment. The Sonoran Center’s Summer Work Program is one program that is helping people with intellectual/developmental disabilities enter the workforce. The program partners with businesses throughout the state of Arizona to offer a supportive environment where people with disabilities can become accustomed to the structure and expectations of the workplace. All the while, participants gain valuable experience that can serve as a stepping stone to starting their own careers.
Here, we highlight a success story from the Summer Work Program: Alexis 'Lexi' Dibbern
Lexi Dibbern participated in the Summer Work Program in 2023. She is a senior in high school with an intellectual/developmental disability. Her hobbies include playing outside and watching TV.
Lexi first discovered the Summer Work Program when the Sonoran Center visited her school. There, Lexi met Sonoran Center Vocational Specialist Lisa Ayo, who would be her guide throughout the program.
Lexi, Lisa, and the Sonoran Center set out to find a work opportunity that would be comfortable but challenging. Although Lexi had no prior work experience, they were confident they could find the right fit. They contacted the Society of St. Vincent dePaul, who introduced them to the Sunnyslope Thrift Store. There, she handled tasks like hanging up clothes and cleaning the space. In doing so, she honed her skills in following directions, sticking with tasks, problem solving, and working as part of a team.
“I loved it. I liked hanging out with Miss Lisa and getting to learn stuff and see what they have there. It helped me build confidence; and being able to work was a good thing,” Lexi said.
Her time working for the thrift store also helped Lexi get more experience socializing and interacting with others. She worked with customers, helping them find what they need, as well as store employees and of course, Lisa Ayo, who helped her throughout the process.
“Lisa was fantastic. When the air conditioner wasn't working she told us ‘don’t come in, the AC isn’t working,’ so she always kept us up to date on what was happening,” said Lexi’s mother, Laurie.
Laurie saw Lexi’s progress as she attended the Summer Work Program.
“She got some good work ethic out of it for sure. Everybody was a pleasure to work with and I think Lexi got some good skills out of it, and it helped her grow up,” Laurie said. “Everybody from the University, NextStep, and Vocational Rehabilitation has been so helpful. ”
The Summer work program also worked with Lexi to put together a resume, so she can move on to more opportunities in the future.
Lexi explained how her time at the Summer Work Program helped her understand the benefits of employment, especially for people with disabilities.
“It means so much to have [a job],” she said. “To be an adult and have that responsibility and to move straight on to adulthood.”
“It helps those who have disabilities to get somewhere,” she continued. “Being able to work in a workplace will help them make good choices. To be able to work is a responsibility that I think is best for all people with disabilities, and not to be excluded.”
Lexi is currently working at Smart & Final, a grocery store. With the skills she’s learned from the Summer Work Program, Lexi said she hopes to help people and to one day attend the University of Arizona.