Last fall, I had the privilege of attending the grand opening of Bitty & Beau's Coffee in Boulder, Colorado. What sets this coffee shop apart is its commitment to employing those with disabilities.

As a father of twin daughters who is involved with the disabled community in Boulder, I felt that it was an incredibly moving experience.

My daughters were exploring job opportunities at Bitty & Beau’s, and through that process, I had the opportunity to meet and get to know its founders.

Amy and Ben Wright, the incredible founders of Bitty & Beau's, started their journey in 2016 to create employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Today, their vision has blossomed into 17 locations, employing over 400 people.

Ben asked us all to go to the shops, interact with the employees, and ask ourselves if we could employ at least one person with a disability.

Franchise owners Julia Fetzer and Jeff Fetzer took that vision to Boulder. To hear them introduce each of their new workers at this store was truly heartwarming and reminded us that everyone deserves a chance to thrive.

As I watched the grand opening with my daughters, I couldn’t help but wonder what was in their future.

The disabled and neurodivergent community is often overlooked. Along with other parents of children with disabilities, I’m passionate about finding ways to create a world where our children are supported, uplifted, and included.

I am grateful to work for a company that values diversity and supports a work environment where people who are disabled and neurodivergent are supported.

Consistent with Cisco’s purpose to power an inclusive future for all, there are well over two dozen Inclusive Communities. More than 30,000 Cisconians connect, develop their leadership skills, and serve as change agents while supporting one another. Joining such a community helps to uplift all involved.

One such community in the Cisco ecosystem is the Connected Disability Action Network (CDAN), where I’m an ambassador. This community empowers Cisco employees and partners to challenge employment and education inequalities for people who are disabled and neurodivergent.

I became involved with CDAN several years ago because I wanted to raise awareness of disabilities and the fact that small actions can go a long way to empower those with disabilities.

Another community is the Adult Caregivers Network (ACN). This network provides a safe, supportive place for employees to share personal caregiving experiences, lend a helping hand, or gain guidance as they care for loved ones who cannot live independently. ACN and communities like it can help members navigate resources and support within Cisco as well as members’ rights and the landscape outside of Cisco.

Often, we think caregiving is for our parents or older adults. However, parents of adults with disabilities play a major role in supporting that person’s independence, which can include caregiving in different forms.

I know many parents in my area in Boulder, Colorado, and at Cisco, and I share in their experience. This community provides its members with much-needed support, much in the same ways Inclusive Communities at Cisco support their members.

As we think about creating a world where everyone can belong, we need to think about disabled and neurodivergent communities as well.

Joining Cisco’s Inclusive Communities and grassroots organizations, and even visiting places like Bitty & Beau’s Coffee can be a great place to start. These actions can go a long way in supporting the community.

Talents of people who are disabled and neurodivergent often go unnoticed, particularly in a world that isn’t designed with them in mind. Awareness and advocacy are key if we plan to remove systemic barriers.

Please join me in supporting this cause and spreading the word so that we can create a more inclusive world together.

Employee resources

• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Join an Inclusive Community
• Global Wellbeing Community
• Join the #SafeToTalk Webex space
• Share your story

Related links

• Cisco Corporate Social Responsibility
• Cisco Purpose Report 2023
• Careers at Cisco