Contact: Beth Moss, 608-266-5038 office, 608-215-0466 cell, Beth.Moss@Wisconsin.gov
Waukesha, WI –Representative Adam Neylon will visit Mark Burmeister on January 19 at Rogan’s Shoes as part of the Take Your Legislator to Work Campaign, organized each year by the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities.
The campaign coordinates visits between legislators and their constituents with disabilities. During the visit, Mark’s legislators will see community-integrated employment in action and learned more about the value it brings to the employee, employer and greater community.
Rep Neylon will take a tour and talk with Mark about his job and how he contributes to the business. Mark worked for 31 years in a sheltered work facility with other individuals with disabilities. He made the decision with support to move into a job in the community where he is much happier and feels that he’s part of a team and contributing to the local community. He’s a model employee, always on time for work.
About the visit, Rep Neylon stated, “It means a lot to me to have the opportunity to meet with Mark, especially at his place of employment. Although it means a great deal to me, Mark and others with disabilities who are working in our communities mean even more to our local businesses. Mark and others like him are an important addition to our state and local economy, and it’s an honor to participate in the Take Your Legislator to Work Program.”
When people with disabilities work in the community at a competitive wage, they are less likely to rely on publicly-funded programs. And, 87% of customers say they would prefer to patronize businesses that employ people with disabilities.