Video sharing just for Down syndrome community

by Ivano Abbadessa from West Info:
Down TV is a video-sharing website dedicated exclusively to people with Down syndrome. It is fast becoming the main web presence for those with this intellectual disability. The portal, created by the Spanish organisation Invest for Child, shares online videos with people with Down syndrome, as well as their parents, caregivers and professionals. It is available in seven languages: English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, Castilian Spanish and German. More than 2,000 videos have been uploaded to the site, addressing topics that range from medicine to sports, music, school and professional occupations. In the ‘work’ section it’s possible to see the experiences of people such as Simone, Sandra, Francesco, Alice, Nicola and many other workers with Down. It’s also possible to listen to the testimonies of business managers – from industries including fashion and hospitality – who decided to invest in the quality and professionalism of people with the condition.

Pizzeria gives student with Down syndrome first job

by Jessica Pace from Franklin Home Page:

On Monday evenings and Saturday afternoons, his family drops him off or stays for dinner while he works rolling silverware, wiping tables and opening the door to customers under the supervision of owner Marc Hanmer.
Hanmer has been in the restaurant business for 24 years and has hired employees with disabilities before in restaurants he previously owned.
“There are things we can do for them. There are menial tasks a lot of people don’t like to do, but task-oriented individuals don’t mind doing, like rolling silverware,” Hanmer said.
“We’re trying it out to see if it works.”
Schrupp started going to Brixx with his family in 2011 when the restaurant first opened because the menu offers gluten-free pizza. Schrupp has celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder irritated by gluten, so he pushes that particular menu item.
“We’ve got the best gluten-free pizza,” he said.
“Steven said he wanted to work there, and the owner said when he’s old enough, he can,” his mother, Susan Schrupp, said.
As an extrovert, Schrupp is getting along with both employees and customers.
“Customers like him, and we have a loyal base of customers here. A lot of people are starting to recognize him. He’s friendly,” Hanmer said.
The owner said Schrupp has to work on understanding when the tables are clean.
“It’s challenging, but he’s a good kid and deserves the opportunity to do something.”
Now that he has an income, Schrupp’s paychecks are going into the bank, and he said he does have a purchase in mind.
“I put it in my bank account. I want to buy a video game, and save it for college,” Schrupp said.
His mother added, “That’s what he wants to do. We’re looking at programs at Vanderbilt; they have a two-year program for people with disabilities. That’s his mission.”