Kramer: Industry benefits by supporting the disabledKramer: Industry benefits by supporting the disabled

Lisa Jennings

In New York at the U.S. Open this year, about 59 of the foodservice staffers hired by concessionaire Levy Restaurants were trained by YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities. Based in New York, YAI is an organization that trains developmentally disabled workers for a number of industries, including foodservice, and helps them find jobs. The organization now serves about 20,000 individuals with disabilities and their families in the New York metropolitan area.

Restaurant employers that have hired YAI graduates include quick-service chains such as McDonald’s, Pizza Hut and Burger King, as well as full-service operators. YAI senior director, Michael Kramer, spoke with NRN.

Is the restaurant industry a good choice for your graduates?

Restaurants are a popular choice because the industry tends to offer a lot of seasonal work. We have two foodservice environments that are repeat customers for us for 11 years: the food village at the U.S. Open run by Levy Restaurants and Aramark foodservice operations during baseball season at Citi Field in New York.

We have people who have worked in high-end restaurants doing prep work and busing. Danny Meyer [of Union Square Hospitality Group] has used our folks at the Shake Shack.

The foodservice industry across the country is a supportive one for hiring people with disabilities, but there are so many more opportunities within it, if people will look.

How has the economy affected your placement rate?

When the economy first took a downturn, we had graduates interviewing for food prep positions who were going up against Culinary Institute of America graduates. In the last six months, placements have dropped about 50 percent across all industries.

What are the advantages of hiring a YAI trainee?

There are two. First, some employers might be a little resistant or hesitant to hire someone with a disability because they might think it would be a deterrent for customers. But actually, communities tend to see it as a benefit. They see that employers are supporting all individuals in a community and that the employer is giving back. Secondly, I think the most relevant issue is that our graduates are confident, dedicated, loyal and hardworking.

Who do you serve?

We serve people with autism, developmental or intellectual disabilities, and learning disabilities.

Do you place people only in New York?

We place people primarily in New York, but we have an organization in Puerto Rico that provides services there.