Jobs can be hard to find when you have a disability. Especially an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD). In the United States, fewer than 1 in 5 people with IDD have full-time jobs; and several thousand of these jobs are “charity” arrangements, based on the assumption that people with IDD can’t really contribute much, but do need to fill their hours and feel useful.
However well-intentioned, the charity approach is a condescending attitude that devalues workers, frequently leaving them in low-paying jobs with no chance of advancement. As a closing nod to October as Down Syndrome Awareness Month and Disability Employment Awareness Month, today we look at a better approach.
Among the Best Places to Work For
One Houston-area example of an employer actively seeking workers with IDD is Bitty & Beau’s Coffee. The chain, founded in 2016 by Amy and Ben Wright, aims to help create a world where “people with [IDD] are valued [and celebrated] in the workplace.” As of late 2025, Bitty & Beau’s had 16 U. S. stores, plus a fleet of “Coffee Cruiser” food trucks planned to cover 7 areas in 6 states. Its Houston location is at 2367 Rice Boulevard (near Rice University).
At first glance, Bitty & Beau’s may seem like a typical coffee shop, with hot drinks, pastries, branded merchandise, and a relaxing atmosphere. But nearly 90% of the staff have IDD diagnoses—and they’re out in the open, not relegated to back rooms. They take orders, brew lattes, and chat with customers like any other coffee-shop workers.
Work accommodations start before a person is ever hired. The online “interested in employment” form requires no résumés or employment histories—just basic contact information, plus an optional “Tell Us About Yourself” field.
The Wrights were inspired by their four children. Especially the original Bitty and Beau, both of whom have Down syndrome.
Making the News
Bitty & Beau’s Coffee has been recognized by major news channels, including CNN, The Today Show, and the Houston CBS station KHOU. See:
- CNN Heroes: “Welcome to Bitty & Beau’s!”
- Coffee shop provides jobs for people with disabilities
- Houston’s Bitty & Beau’s Coffee is Brewing More than Just Lattes, it’s Brewing Inclusion
- How a cup of coffee becomes a “human rights movement”
See also the Bitty & Beau’s YouTube channel, which has over 2,000 subscribers.
More Groundbreakers
Other employers (and staffing/training organizations) promoting job opportunities for people with IDD include:
- The Chocolate Spectrum
- GiGi’s Playhouse
- PRIDE Industries
- The Rise School of Houston
- Texas Workforce Commission
See also: Off to Work We Go: Helping People with Disabilities Find Employment