# A micro-enterprise for all abilities | Mary Beth Connors | TEDxOshkosh Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62c6B8e5zWs Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/62c6B8e5zWs Generated: 2026-01-22T16:42:41.294+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Mary Beth Connors highlights how her organization, Brewing Futures, successfully integrated students with disabilities, like her daughter Erin who has Down syndrome, into meaningful employment through micro-enterprises such as a mobile coffee truck, proving that with the right support and inclusive environments, these individuals can achieve independence and contribute significantly to the workforce. **Key Points:** - Brewing Futures' mission is coaching abilities for employment, specifically supporting individuals with disabilities like Down syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and learning challenges. - The organization runs micro-enterprises, including a mobile coffee shop called 'Brewing Futures: Cafe & Mobile Eats,' to provide authentic work experiences. - The speaker's daughter, Erin Connors, who has Down syndrome, has worked at the coffee business for five years and is now handling full-time responsibilities, proving her capability. - According to the US Department of Labor (August 2020 report), 8.8% of adults with disabilities are employed, which the speaker argues represents a huge untapped potential. - The key to success is creating inclusive environments and implementing simple 'tweaks' or accommodations that allow students to overcome barriers to employment and community living. - The student worker (Erin's peer) who was initially afraid to work the cash register is now employed full-time, receives benefits, and is thriving in the community. ![Screenshot at 00:06: The speaker, Mary Beth Connors, stands on the TEDxOshkosh stage in a red blazer, beginning her talk about creating inclusive employment opportunities for people with disabilities.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/62c6B8e5zWs/00-00-06.jpg) **Context:** Mary Beth Connors delivers a TEDxOshkosh talk focusing on the importance of creating employment opportunities and inclusive workplaces for individuals with disabilities. She frames her discussion around her personal experience raising a daughter, Erin, who has Down syndrome, and how her organization, Brewing Futures, works to bridge the gap between education and adult employment for these individuals through hands-on micro-enterprise experiences. ## Detailed Analysis Mary Beth Connors discusses the necessity of shifting perspectives regarding individuals with disabilities to see their capabilities, rather than their limitations. She shares the story of her daughter, Erin, who has Down syndrome, and how parents often worry about the future, but that the journey for her daughter led to fulfilling employment. Connors notes that she worked in the same school district her daughter attended, and the dream of independent living, community employment, and self-sufficiency is what drives their work. She highlights that 1 in 8.8 adults with disabilities are employed (citing a USDOL report from August 2020), indicating massive untapped potential. Brewing Futures, her organization, aims to bridge this gap by running micro-enterprises, like their coffee truck, to provide authentic work experiences. Connors shares the story of a visually impaired student who, despite initial anxiety about using the register at the coffee shop, eventually thrived and now works there full-time, receiving benefits. This success demonstrates that simple accommodations and inclusive workplaces allow these individuals to achieve success and contribute to the workforce, proving that the educational system must listen and create paths for community employment and independence. ### Personal Context and Motivation - A child is born - parents worry about the future - speaker chose to embrace her daughter Erin's developmental path - speaker worked in the same school district her daughter attended. ### The Challenge of Transition - The worry about the next step into adulthood (community employment, independent living) intensified - disabilities are more common than people think (1 in 8.8 adults have a significant disability). ### The Solution - Brewing Futures' mission is coaching abilities for employment - they created micro-enterprises like the 'Brewing Futures' coffee truck to provide authentic work experiences and teach necessary skills (punctuality, problem-solving, customer service). ### Success Story - Erin's Peer - A visually impaired student who was afraid of the cash register was encouraged - he later worked there full-time, received benefits, and achieved independence, showing the impact of inclusive workplaces. ### Call to Action - The speaker urges employers and educators to look beyond perceived limitations and embrace the capabilities of individuals with disabilities, setting high expectations and creating inclusive work environments. ![Screenshot at 00:04: Sponsors and event recording details displayed on screen: Peter & Karola Jungbacker Family, Alexander & Bishop, and Fox Valley Plastic Surgery, S.C., recorded live at The Grand Oshkosh, Wisconsin.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/62c6B8e5zWs/00-00-04.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:17: The speaker's name, MARYBETH CONNORS, is displayed as she begins discussing her daughter Erin, who has Down syndrome.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/62c6B8e5zWs/00-00-17.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:44: The speaker stands in full view on the stage with the large TEDxOshkosh letters behind her, illustrating the setting of the talk.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/62c6B8e5zWs/00-00-44.jpg) ![Screenshot at 06:41: A slide displaying the 'Brewing Futures: Cafe & Mobile Eats' food truck, which serves as the micro-enterprise used for student employment training.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/62c6B8e5zWs/00-06-41.jpg) ![Screenshot at 14:48: A picture of Erin Connors holding her Certificate of Appreciation for 5 years of service, highlighting a successful outcome of the program.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/62c6B8e5zWs/00-14-48.jpg)