ADAM: Dream of Owning His Own Business Comes True
The following is excerpted from a psychological evaluation of Adam dated October 1987: “…was found to be ineligible for employment due to low productivity there is not a reasonable expectation that Adam can become gainfully employed.”
Of all the words used to describe Adam's employment, the most important and truly telling is “non-stereotypical.” Fast food restaurants and retail stores are worthy career paths. But not if they are the only career paths open to you. Adam had a dream that broke past those narrow confines. He loves computer games and computers. And he dreamed of owning his own business. That dream came true. The first step in the employment process to support Adam in achieving his vocational objective was to complete a person-centered Discovery profile.
While some of the staff who worked with Adam in the sheltered workshop had known him for years, their experience of who Adam is was limited to their interactions with him inside the walls of a segregated setting. The community-based assessment allowed for the opportunity to truly get to know Adam, to experience who he is when he is in his community. Through this process, a picture developed of Adam's dreams and interests.
Adam with the support of the people in his life, decided to pursue an arcade business that he would own. With his support team he developed a business plan (critical to both real world success and Vocational Rehabilitation funding), as well as, marketing analysis, industry trends, business design, and benefits analysis.
A new business was located in the community that was just starting up. It is a mul
ti-function facility that includes a car wash, retail space, a barber and beauty shop, spa and an empty game room. The owners had reserved space for a game room, but had not yet found a vendor. A meeting was scheduled with the owners to determine if a business partnership could be negotiated. The outcome was a win-win.
The owners trusted Adam to fulfill their business’s unmet needs and Adam had a space for his new business. Adam had access to business start up funds. He also applied for additional funding from Vocational Rehabilitation Services which was approved after review of his business plan.
Based on gaming industry data Adam with the support of his team spent $6,800 on the machines that were rated in the top five most popular games. Additionally, Adam spent approximately $500 on various business licenses, permits, a pager, business cards etc.Not bad for a man who carries the label of Down Syndrome. Not bad for a man once deemed as having no employable future. Not bad for anybody at all.