The 'Dignity of Work' Brings Two State Representatives to Nino's

Beth Moss of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD) reported Monday from Nino's Italian Bakery in Menomonee Falls about a special visit from Public Officials.

MENOMONEE FALLS -- A lot of people work to get ahead. At Nino's Italian Bakery, the dignity of work means a lot to three men aiming to make a contribution to the community.

State Representatives Janel Brandtjen and Dan Knodl paid a visit to Nino’s Italian Bakery in Menomonee Falls on Monday to see first-hand how three men who each have a disability perform weekly deep-cleaning duties at the restaurant and bakery.

The two State Reps were invited to tour the bakery and meet Bill Cameron, Andrew Kosanke, and James Stamper as part of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities, “Take Your Legislator to Work Campaign.”

Around the state, employees with disabilities invite their legislators to visit them at their community-integrated job and learn more about the value the work brings to the employee, employer and greater community.

Getting the Contract

Bill Cameron, Andrew Kosanke, and James Stamper were awarded the contract to clean Nino’s after they were asked by business owners Josephine, Anne-Marie, Tina, and Virginia to “try-out” for the contract by cleaning the restaurant for a few weeks. Nino’s became aware that the three men could provide the cleaning service through outreach by Easter Seals South East WI.

After watching the three men work, the Nino family awarded them the permanent contract. Owner Josephine pointed out that the restaurant and display cases are their “showcase” and a clean, healthy and well-maintained front of the house is very important for business.

Henry Janisch from Easter Seals is thrilled that the job has turned out so well for his clients and for the business owners.

He stated that the men “play off of each other’s strengths” and they make an effective team that works well together. For the first few weeks of working at the bakery, the Wisconsin Dept. of Workforce Development’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation paid the men’s wages through a program called Internship/Temporary Work. Nino’s took over payment of wages soon after it was evident that the job was a good fit for all.

A Win-Win for the Community

People with disabilities who work in a community-integrated job at a competitive wage are less likely to rely on public benefits. While, 87 percent of customers say they would prefer to patronize businesses that employ people with disabilities.

This is a “win-win situation for employees, employers, and the community,” stated Rep. Brandtjen. She continued to say that in Wisconsin inclusion starts early in our schools. She also said that for a long time now, people in Wisconsin have valued the contribution that individuals with disabilities make to the community and economy.

State Rep Has Experience of His Own

Representative Knodl, who owns a business and employs a person with a disability himself, said that a job “provides dignity” and that everyone deserves “to be productive and give back to the community.”

Rep. Knodl said that he knows first-hand that employers appreciate employees they can rely on, who are on time, and who take pride in doing a thorough job. To illustrate his commitment to hard work, Bill Cameron rubbed his arm muscles and said he had worked hard scrubbing the racks at Nino’s today.

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To learn more about the value of community-integrated employment and the Take Your Legislator to Work Campaign, visit www.WI- BPDD.org.