5 Lessons We Can Learn From Watching 'The Employables'
I recently starting watching the newest series on A&E called “The Employables.” It focuses on adults with disabilities who are looking for employment. From the first time I watched it, I loved the concept of it and the show itself. I admire how the show focuses on the reality of what it’s like to be an adult with disabilities facing the challenge of finding employment.
“The Employables” is a groundbreaking show and I believe we need more productions like it to help combat the stigma and stereotypes surrounding people with disabilities in the workplace.
Here are five things we can learn from “The Employables:”
1. Everything is a process in life.
Each episode follows the life of someone different. My personal favorite is the story of Victoria, who is 25 years old and has autism. She tries to hide it from everyone. Another story shown in the same episode follows 31-year-old Gabe, who has Tourette syndrome and didn’t get a job simply because of his disability. Later on, both of the protagonists get a job and learn that everything takes time. The episode is fittingly titled “Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover.”
2. Being disabled doesn’t mean you’re any less determined.
Many people wrongly believe people with disabilities don’t have the mindset of being the best versions of themselves, but the truth is they can be just as determined and full of potential as anyone else. The show tackles this harmful stereotype in an educational way.
3. Their disabilities don’t stop them from enjoying what they love.
All the people on the show have hobbies and things they enjoy. Their disabilities don’t define them. For example, Victoria loves to write fan fiction novels and collects Disney toys from movies. She writes wonderfully and can develop her talents regardless of her disability.
4. People with disabilities can lead normal lives.
Throughout the series, we see multiple people with disabilities and their process of adapting to life while trying to find employment. They live productive lives to the best of their abilities. They’re just like everyone else and have a great support system comprised of their friends and families.
5. People with disabilities are far from weird.
The series teaches us that people with disabilities are not “weird” just because they do things not everyone understands. For example, Gabe has tics because of his disability, but it doesn’t prevent him from being kind-hearted.
Throughout the show, we learn that people with disabilities aren’t weird — they’re simply different and that makes them wonderful. The show also tackles prejudicial stereotypes and stigmas, which can help improve the lives of people with disabilities. We need more shows like this one because we can all benefit when we celebrate the strengths of each individual.
Tylia L. Flores is a twenty-eight-year-old born with Spastic Cerebral Palsy. Despite her condition that affects her mobility, she does not allow it to affect her will and determination to make a difference in the world. Through her many life challenges and obstacles, she discovered her passion for writing. Tylia’s goal in life is to share her stories with the world. In doing so, she hopes to help others with disabilities realize that they, too, have the potential to make their dreams come true. Tylia is not only an author. She’s a radio show personality and a disability activist. Tylia has written about disability-related topics for Yahoo Life, Your Tango, The Mighty, ReadUnwritten.com, Words Between Coasts Project, Wednesday, Spilwords, and Goble Thrive. Worth Living Among her other appearances are Disability on the Spectrum and Why I was Afraid of Sexuality. Previously, Tylia was nominated to Diversabilities list of the most influential Disability Impacts of 2022. Additionally, Tylia holds the position of chairman in the creative director role for the North American Association Of Cerebral Palsy Advocates. She serves as a mentor for the Disability EmpowHer Network as well. Tylia also works for Write It Up Publishing as a sensitivity reader focusing on disability representation. Tylia has also been involved in many movie press releases for Samuel Goldwyn Films Come as you are Piece of me which was the short film directed and written by award winning filmmaker Bruna Cabral as well as the film adaptation of the book Calvin can’t fly by Jenifer Burnes Tylia is also a keynote speaker at 2020’s Cerebral Palsy Awareness conference. She has also been a guest speaker at Northeastern State University Broken Arrow where she talks to college students about disability and inclusion in education. She has also been a guest speaker at Plantation Middle School, where she discussed inclusion and disability with classmates. Tylia is fully certified in Education for All: Disability, Diversity, and Inclusion through Cape Town University. She’s also certified in Understanding Diversity and Inclusion through Purdue University. She’s also certified in creative writing at the University of East Anglia. Tylia hosts the Stomping On cerebral Palsy radio show with DJ Ty on Asheville FM with DJ Mouse during the Come On In the Kitchen segment once a month she also helps the staff behind the scenes, help bring awareness to disability awareness and inclusion within the radio broadcasting industry .
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