A new standard for inclusion

Stephanie Klett arrives every Wednesday and Thursday afternoon with a smile. She makes pleasant conversation and strives to complete all her tasks – much like the other employees at Special Olympics Virginia. The only difference: Stephanie is a Special Olympics athlete, and the first person with an intellectual disability to work in the Special Olympics Virginia office.

"For years we've advocated for employers to hire people with intellectual disabilities," said Special Olympics Virginia President Rick Jeffrey. "Most people don't know that Special Olympics athletes, because of what they learn in our program, are five times more likely to be employed than the general population of adults with intellectual disabilities. Hiring Stephanie gave us a chance to walk the walk."

Stephanie's job entails everything from answering phones and entering volunteer and athlete information into the Special Olympics Virginia database, to laminating, filing and hanging up pictures around the office. She's a dedicated professional just like her colleagues, and she says she doesn't feel her disability gets in the way.

"I'm autistic and have a learning disability, but I can do what everyone else can," she said. "If you give me something to do, I can do it."

As Stephanie sits in her office working on her computer, she represents the message of inclusion that Special Olympics Virginia promotes. She is setting an example.

"Stephanie represents what we're actually about. We love having her here and it's a good thing she's here. It is a step in the right direction," said her supervisor, Pam McClure, also the Executive Assistant & Administrative Specialist for Special Olympics.

Working at Special Olympics Virginia has allowed Stephanie the opportunity to learn a lot about life and ultimately, what she wants from it.

"I've learned not to judge a book by its cover, especially when you're talking about those with a disability," said Stephanie, who started at Special Olympics Virginia last November. "In the future I want to get my own house and be more independent. I also want others to realize they should do the best they can and not use their disability as an excuse not to work."

Stephanie's impact is not lost on her colleagues, either.

"The job is nice, the paycheck is nice, but what we're able to do – and others who hire people with intellectual disabilities are able to do - is to introduce people with intellectual disabilities into the workplace," Jeffrey said. "The experience in the workplace for the nondisabled employees – how they react to a person with autism, how they handle diversity – is just as important as it is for the person with the disability. It is totally about respect and inclusion."

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