A native of Wisconsin, family has always been a central part of Beth Wroblewski’s life. Growing up as one of 54 first cousins, she learned early on the importance of being together and the strength that comes from being part of a big family. But it was the experience of seeing her cousin, a warm and lively young girl with a developmental disability, face the challenges of segregation and exclusion that introduced Beth to the unfairness in the system.
Beth remembers, “My cousin was in segregated classes in a separate hallway, and not included in the student life of the high school. Her meals were at different times, the breaks were at different times. You wouldn't have even known that we were going to the same school. That was really a shock to me.”
Although the U.S. public school system has made immense progress in including and supporting students with disabilities, Beth says there is still a lot of work to be done, especially when it comes to employment. Despite progress in inclusion efforts, only 50% of working-age adults with disabilities in Wisconsin are employed, compared to around 85% of those without disabilities. This disparity is evidence that employers need to be more aware of the benefits of hiring people with disabilities and engage in creating inclusive workplaces.
Building Partnerships and Integrating Strengths through Leadership
The world of disability services is a complex system that requires coordination among many different agencies and organizations. But as the head of ERI, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities, finding her way through this system is almost second nature for Beth.
With a strong understanding of how the government works and a belief in the power of working together, she has spent her career connecting the public and private sectors. She has built partnerships that integrate the strengths of various support providers and has seen how those partnerships produce lasting results. Beth's ability to work in this complex system comes from her many years of experience and her commitment to making positive changes in the lives of people with disabilities.
From Public Service to Nonprofit Leadership
Beth calls on the same commitment and experience that she had during her 25 years working for Wisconsin’s state government. The skills she developed while working for the state – dealing with complicated rules, building relationships, and advocating for change – have been very useful in her current job.
"What I love about being at a nonprofit is that we can act so quickly. If we see a need or a change that should be made, we can just do it. The way the government is set up is necessary and important, but the flexibility of a small nonprofit has advantages," Beth explains, highlighting how her current position allows her to be more responsive in working towards ERI's mission.
Opportunities in Partnerships for Inclusive Employment
Beth sees an opportunity to work with employers to create workplaces that include everyone, regardless of ability. Discrimination and stigma are still too common, with employers often receiving misinformation about the ability and costs of hiring individuals with disabilities.
Inaccessible workplaces and concerns about accommodations also limit opportunities. Beth is part of a growing movement of disability service providers who believe in the value of building relationships with employers, helping them make changes, and matching people with disabilities to the right jobs to increase opportunities. All of which will eventually help people come to see the value that people with disabilities bring to the workplace.
Inclusive Hiring Benefits Everyone
As Beth thinks about her journey from childhood to working in government to leading ERI, she remains dedicated to the belief that every person, no matter their abilities, deserves the chance to lead a full life.
"My whole career has been around social change and attitudes and really trying to create an opportunity for everyone to have a regular life in their regular community," she shares. This deeply held belief, together with her years of experience, makes Beth a valued leader in the disability services community.
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