Disability and the Workplace : An Interview with Roots Café
By Claire Watson (Features Editor)
The right to work is a necessary step in liberation movements. Workers are the backbone of the economy, in a capitalist system and in society. Being able to access the workplace is a necessary right, as society values individuals on their ability to work. The option to work is even more important.
Yet, the work day and work environments have been constructed around the needs and abilities of one type of person. This is someone who is able to commute to work, has access to remote working, who does not need to call in sick at a late notice or have accommodations made so that they are comfortable in their work environment. It is someone that can work 8 hours a day, standing or sitting, or conducting strenuous activities with little time for rest. It is someone who does not have a disability, visible or invisible.
According to the National Disability Authority, the unemployment rate among the disabled population stood at 26.6%. This study takes its findings from the 2016 census, and there is little doubt that the pandemic has greatly influenced these statistics. Pre-pandemic, the disability employment gap stood at 36.6%. The systematic exclusion of people with disabilities from the workplace, paired with ableist propaganda, only promotes an idea that disabled individuals outside of the labour force are lazy. The capitalist model has bred the idea that a person’s value is based on their productivity, turning people into commodities and bolstering these issues of eugenics and ableism. The labour force has been gate-kept throughout history as a form of oppression, as those that cannot access it are marginalised as unproductive members of society.
In the UK, studies have found that throughout the pandemic, of those that were still able to work, people with disabilities were more likely than their able-bodied coworkers to operate on reduced hours. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, in Ireland, the percentage of workers who are able to decide their hours stands is significantly below the OECD average. Only 32% of workers with a third-level education, and 14% of workers with second-level education, have the ability to do so. This study states that people with disabilities are less likely to have permanent contracts, less likely to be promoted, and are less likely to have an influence on the day-to-day running of a workplace. Finally, while there is evidence that remote working improves people with disabilities’ access to the workplace, only 34% of the jobs done by people with disabilities can be done from home. In current society, the majority of work environments are inhospitable to those with disabilities.
Of course, there are exceptions. It would be a great disservice to focus on the negative, and we must acknowledge and support those that are fighting for change. I had the amazing opportunity to interview a
staff member Louise of Roots, UCC’s busiest coffee spot. We’re lucky here at the Express, with our Newsroom being situated just across from this wonderful café, which serves delicious coffees, pastries and boasts an important ethos.
Roots Café trains adults with an intellectual disability and/or autism in barista skills, customer service, communication and cash handling, with support from Cope Foundation. Their first coffee shop opened at Beech Hill Garden Centre in Montenotte in 2018, serving Java Republic Fairtrade coffee, local goodies from The Natural Foods Bakery and a range of herbal teas, drinks and snacks. Roots@UCC opened in the Student Hub in UCC in early 2020. Louise explains that, “the most important part of all of this is the people we support within Cope Foundation, who have been invested in every element of the process, including planning, design, barista and food safety training, developing customer service skills, social media skills and event planning. Cope Foundation’s vision, mission and value statements are central to the ethos of this project. Roots Coffee House reflects the organisation's commitment to person centeredness choice, active citizenship and community inclusion.”
She explains how Roots came to UCC. “Paul Moriarty, Director of Student Experience in UCC, approached Cope Foundation to see if there would be interest in duplicating this idea within the new Student Hub in UCC, which was a huge opportunity. In the time that Roots@UCC has opened, the support and care given by all staff and students has been really special and the feedback is so positive.”
This café highlights the importance of creating inclusive spaces, and providing support and accommodation where it is needed. Roots and Cope Foundation provide people with an intellectual disability and/or autism to live a life of their own choosing. Louise goes on to explain, “We continue to make great connections and support within the college. Roots@UCC is a place supporting people with an intellectual disability and/or autism to learn and gain skills.
“The cafe has a different meaning for everyone. For some, it is a means to work towards entering the workforce, for others, who may be unsure where their path may take them, undertake work experience to help decide if it is something they would like to pursue further. Finally, for some, it is a safe place to learn new skills, build relationships and improve confidence in themselves and their abilities. All of the people who work here with me in Roots@UCC are supported by Cope Foundation.”
When asked why Roots trains adults with an intellectual disability and/or autism, Louise explained “It is very important that people with disabilities are given the same opportunities to work towards their goals - everyone has aspirations and for some people, like the ones I support, they just need a little more time and support to gain those skills and abilities. Inclusion is so important and the people I support want to get out there and prove that. Just because they have a disability, this does not mean they cannot do everything that
people do in mainstream society and they are very passionate about that.” Louise goes on to explain how this opportunity helps people with disabilities, “Being in the workforce benefits those with and without an intellectual disability! The purpose of Roots@UCC is to train and support people to the point where they would feel comfortable working independently in mainstream society.”
“Unemployment is quite high amongst those with disabilities for a variety of reasons, including limited disability know-how, potential poor health etc. This just shows the importance of what we are doing here in Roots@UCC, we are showing everyone what the people I have training with me can do and the unique perspectives and attitudes they bring to the cafe. Ultimately, people just want to feel like they can fit in and have meaningful roles to fulfil and I would like to think this is what we are doing here in this cafe.”
It is important that people with disabilities are supported and given opportunities to enter the workforce, as society does not just encompass one type of person with one set of needs, but a diverse range of people, each with different strengths. On accommodating different skill sets, Louise says, “Everyone who is training here at the cafe requires different support as we are very much person centred. For some, training is ongoing for their time here. For others, they pick up the different skills quickly. They then in turn support and train their peers which is a really incredible part of what we do here. Training is completed at the individual's own pace and then we build on their skills to make it as much as possible a positive learning experience for everyone.”
The fight for equality in our communities is not achieved alone. This is why organisations like Cope Foundation and Roots@UCC are so important. Society has not made it easy for people with disabilities to access the workplace, yet we know it isn’t impossible. Situations can be improved and people with an intellectual disability and/or autism can gain independence. On a final note, Louise says, “We would like to take the time to truly thank everyone for all your amazing support and kindness during our adventure together here! We would especially like to again thank Paul Moriarty for giving us this amazing opportunity and we hope we will be part of UCC for a long time to come!”