Workplaces Strengthened by Diversity, Inclusion

The book lovers of Washington have a friend in Ricardo Thornton. As a clerk at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Thornton spends his days sorting, stamping and shelving books, as well as performing other clerical duties.

He began by volunteering at the library as a young person 32 years ago as part of a special education program. Thornton, who has an intellectual disability, enjoyed the experience and worked with a job coach to gain the skills necessary to become a full-time paid employee.

When he’s off the clock, Thornton is an advocate for people with intellectual disabilities.

His message is: “If I can make it, so can you. Give it your best and the rest will follow. If you do, you’ll see yourself growing and growing every day.”

The U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law in 1990, prohibits employers from discriminating against people with disabilities. By fostering a culture of diversity — a capacity to appreciate and value individual differences — employers gain varied perspectives on how to confront business challenges and achieve success. Disability is a natural part of diversity, and businesses can benefit by taking steps to ensure that people with disabilities are represented in their workforce.