Real jobs for real people, take 2

Just heard a speech by Walter Smith, managing partner of international law firm Baker, Botts, who was being honored for the firm's commitment to hiring people with intellectual disabilities. To learn more about the program, click this link. There was also an article about the program in the Washington Post by Amy Joyce that ran last October. (Headline: Beyond disability barriers: Employees quickly emerge as assets.) Click here for the article preview; it's now pay only.

Here's what Walt had to say:

"We got as much or more out of this experiment as did our special needs employees. In fact, our lawyers and staff have responded so favorably to the idea, that we now have eight full-time special needs employees in our five offices in the U.S.

"It just so happens that professional service firms -- that’s law firms, accounting firms, consulting firms and the like -- are ideal places to work for individuals with cognitive or physical disabilities. We have a safe and quiet environment that lends itself to training and mentoring. We have a relatively educated and caring workforce. But most importantly, we have work they can do that needs to get done."

Companies that follow the Baker, Botts example, he said, will

"... not only be doing a great service, they’ll get a great employee as well. One who will show up for work every day with a smile on his or her face, eager and thankful for the opportunity. And remember: you won't just be helping them make a living, you'll be helping them make a life."