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TASC client, Kyle has been working at Amazon Fresh for the past 10 months. He is one of the Center Store Associates at the Encino location, where he stocks shelves, helps customers, does inventory, and much more. In this position, Kyle’s interests and abilities are at an intersection allowing him to shine.
“We use a Touch Computer that we wear on our wrist and everything that happens in the store is all controlled through that,” said Kyle. “If I need to stow something, stock something, check an expiration date, move something from one place to another, count something specific… I can do that too.” Karen, Kyle’s mother, says computers are right up his alley.
A major benefit of the Amazon Fresh stores is that the aisles are wide, without displays down the sides, which allows a lot of room to maneuver. This small change improves safety for employees like Kyle, who was born with cerebral palsy. Kyle says he even drives a hand-truck down the aisles!
Space wasn’t the only concern when it came to Kyle’s work; people with cerebral palsy can also have balance issues. Kyle was given an extender so he can reach shelves without climbing a ladder or crouching on the floor. Alternatively, Kyle can track which shelves he stocks on his TC so that another employee can do the top or bottom shelves in that aisle.
“[Amazon Fresh] tries hard to figure out accommodations for Kyle which I've been incredibly grateful for because he's one of the team, he's not excluded because he can't do this or that – they've figured out how to modify it,” said Karen. “He has a successful job with these slight accommodations that don't hinder anybody else.”
Kyle’s successes are often recognized; he’s received recognition cards and incentives for correctly answering safety questions and recently got a raise.
Kyle is also constantly learning new skills at the store; his job is never stagnant. He is always up to learn new skills, and the store is happy to teach them. “They have a special box cutter – as a parent I was like no way – but they taught him to use a box cutter where the blade can’t ever touch your hand,” said Karen.
Kyle says his favorite thing about working at Amazon Fresh is the people. “Everybody there is super friendly, and I always feel welcome, and I’ve made so many friends there."
Since Kyle works locally, some of his friends get to see him at work. “...You can see the wheels turning because they're like, I could do this too,” said Karen. “It's really about opening eyes.” Kyle has even gotten a job for one of his neighbors, who also has special needs.
When he isn’t working or playing computer games, Kyle sings with the Sunshine Singers, a special needs choir ran by the CSUN Music Therapy Clinic. He has been a long time participant in soccer and basketball programs developed for people with special needs, now ran by his mom. He even fits in time to go on dates with his girlfriend of 12 years, Desi.
Karen and Kyle’s journey hasn’t been easy. From first accepting that her baby had physical and intellectual disabilities, Karen has had to advocate for Kyle his entire childhood. “I was so out of my element in the beginning,” said Karen. “It scared me to death. LAUSD wanted Kyle in school at age 3 to get support – it’s overwhelming and a lot of parents don’t even want to try. We put him in every program that was available: physical therapy, speech therapy, equestrian therapy…it filled up our lives. People are scared of all that involvement.”
It’s been a great comfort to Kyle’s family to know that Regional Center will be there for him his entire life. “Finding out he's disabled at 18 months - I’m not looking at his entire life, I’m treading water. Yes, it's going to be crazy when your kid is little but when your kid is an adult these programs are going to be really critical for their success in the world.”
Kyle has been grateful for the help of his job coaches at TASC: Natalia, Lily, Katie, and Alicia. They are his biggest supporters and can assist with things like scheduling concerns.
Now that Kyle is an adult, he is able to advocate for himself. If he does run into issues, he can lean on the support from his TASC team. Working gives Kyle the independence he needs.
Kyle gives the following advice for people like him who may be nervous about getting a job:“If you’re looking for employment, you should just come over here [to TASC] and they will help you. Everyone has been so warm and welcoming.”
For more information on the sports programs mentioned, click on the links below.
www.ayso33.org – Click on the link for VIP Soccer (special needs soccer – all ages)
www.laparks.org/reccenter/balboa-sports-complex - Scroll to Sports and click on VIP Winter 2023 (special needs basketball – all ages)
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