Profiles 
Step One: This starts with connecting the equipment tubes together with tri-clamps.
Step Two: The Brewers will then begin the mashing process. This is where bags of grain are dumped into the hot water and stirred with a paddle. They will also be able to use shovels to scoop the spent grain from the mash to buckets. We have a farmer that picks up this spent grain and feeds it to his ostriches.
Step Three: Another part of the training process is keeping the equipment thoroughly sanitized which is extremely important in brewing.
Step Four: We are also training to pour beers from the tap and serve customers.
The hope is that some adults will graduate through the program and get hired at breweries which fit their needs. Other individuals may need more ongoing support and training. This is a job possibility that will open doors for many people and hopefully change the view of people with differences in social atmospheres.
I believe that everyone has an ability and can lead a purposeful life. Brewing will not be a career for every person with a disability, but hopefully this will inspire entrepreneurs and business owners to see the ability and possibility in each person.
Can Adults with Developmental Disabilities Brew Beer?
Think of the last time you went to a popular brewery/bar atmosphere. Did you see anyone with a developmental disability? Odds are you did not. Why is this? Is it wrong for people with disabilities to be out socially having a good time? We say we want people with different abilities to be included in society in an “inclusive” environment, but do we really have that? What if it was a person with a disability behind the bar pouring your beer? Is this a job for everyone? No. Is it a possibility for some? Now it is. Brewability Lab aims to train and hire adults with developmental disabilities combining the best practices of teaching with the process of brewing craft beer. The brewing process is repetitive and needs to be done in a consistent way to provide a consistent product. Brewability Lab will provide photo supports, video models and sensory integration among other supports.The Brewing Process
These future brewers will learn the entire process of brewing.
Step One: This starts with connecting the equipment tubes together with tri-clamps.
Step Two: The Brewers will then begin the mashing process. This is where bags of grain are dumped into the hot water and stirred with a paddle. They will also be able to use shovels to scoop the spent grain from the mash to buckets. We have a farmer that picks up this spent grain and feeds it to his ostriches.
Step Three: Another part of the training process is keeping the equipment thoroughly sanitized which is extremely important in brewing.
Step Four: We are also training to pour beers from the tap and serve customers.
The hope is that some adults will graduate through the program and get hired at breweries which fit their needs. Other individuals may need more ongoing support and training. This is a job possibility that will open doors for many people and hopefully change the view of people with differences in social atmospheres.
I believe that everyone has an ability and can lead a purposeful life. Brewing will not be a career for every person with a disability, but hopefully this will inspire entrepreneurs and business owners to see the ability and possibility in each person.
Available Opportunities
As a Special Education teacher, I always thought my students would grow up and have many options because of all the hard work and support that the families, teachers and therapists provided. As a Day Program director, I found out that options are very limited. When I was laid off from my position with a non-profit, I decided to attempt to provide one possibility to the issue of employment. I created a Kickstarter Campaign to raise money for larger equipment to make more beer to provide enough work to hire multiple people. Since the Kickstarter has launched, many people from different groups have approached me. What I found out is that there are quite a few groups who do offer really cool options, but no one knows about each other! The great thing about a brewery, is the sense of community that it provides. It provides a non-threatening environment for people to gather together. I’m hoping to collaborate with these great non-profits, service providers and families not compete with them. People with “disAbilities” can be excellent employees! They can be consistent, reliable, loyal and hard-working. I’m excited to see what the future holds for Brewablity Lab as well as new enterprises who value people with differences and exceptional ability. Please contact me if you have any questions or comments at [email protected].
