WI businesses staffed by people living with disabilities

Learn about how you can support these Wisconsin businesses staffed by people living with disabilities.

Running a successful business isn’t just about profits, it’s about the people who work there. Whether employees work with customers face-to-face or behind the scenes, they keep the show running and make all the difference. This means that the more diverse and inclusive the business culture and hiring practices are, the better off everyone is. Hiring individuals who live with disabilities is one way to make this happen.

According to the Department of Workforce Development (DWD), Wisconsin has been making significant strides in connecting people with disabilities to meaningful career opportunities. In fact, Wisconsin reported back-to-back years of record-high employment rates for workers with disabilities in 2023.

It’s inspiring and promising to see the commitment to strengthening our Wisconsin community through the practice of diversity, equity, and inclusion. So, what can we do to support these businesses and enable them to continue their mission? By visiting their shops, purchasing their products, and spreading the word about the amazing work they do.

1. The Inclusive Bean

Location: 1930 Albert Street, Racine

Hours: Monday to Friday—6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday—7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Since 2024, The Inclusive Bean has served delicious coffee, tea, and more. It isn’t your average coffee shop—it’s a woman-led non-profit with an extra special mission. The “Inclusive” part of this business’s name speaks directly to the business’s work and its impact on the community. It prides itself on staffing the shop with people who live with disabilities, allowing them to thrive.

The crew at The Inclusive Bean in front of a Brewed With Love sign. (The Inclusive Bean/Facebook)

2. Country Roads Bakery & Cafe

Location: 19319 Washington Avenue, Union Grove

Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In the same community as Sheppard’s College (a unique educational experience for graduates who live with disabilities) is Country Roads Bakery & Cafe. The bakery collaborates with the school to employ a variety of part-time and full-time staff members, as well as interns.

3. Inspired Coffee

Location: 883 W Main Street, Lake Geneva

Hours: Monday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Self-described as a premium neighborhood coffee spot in Lake Geneva, Inspired Coffee prides itself on employing people with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities. In 2020, the shop opened with a three-part mission: to change the conversation about the role of people living with disabilities, meet a need and opportunity for this same community, and be the go-to coffee spot in Lake Geneva.

4. Friendship Circle Café and Bakery

Location: 8649 N Port Washington Road, Fox Point

Hours: Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and closed Saturday

Friendship Circle Cafe and Bakery is part of The Friendship Circle of Wisconsin, a division of Lubavitch of Wisconsin. But brewing enjoyable beverages and cooking up tasty treats isn’t all this organization is known for—it also hires and train adults who live with disabilities. The program was established to bridge the gap between high school graduation and entering the workforce for people who live with disabilities.

5. Inclusion Coffee Company

Location: 3152 Village Square Drive, Hartland

Hours: Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In 2022, the vision for Inclusion Coffee Company became a reality. The company founder, Mackenzie Edinger, leveraged her education in Early Childhood and Special Education, as well as her volunteer experience with Best Buddies, to create a space where her employees who live with disabilities feel equally valued and important. In an interview, Edinger says that the most rewarding part of running Inclusion Coffee is “Witnessing [the employees’] genuine enthusiasm is a testament to the inclusive and supportive environment we’ve cultivated.”

Employees Brock and Tracy and their designs for the drink artist competition at Inclusion Coffee Company. (Inclusion Coffee Company/Facebook)

6. Grounded Cafe

Location: 300 South Adams Street, Green Bay

Hours: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. (seasonally from May to October)

According to its mission, the staff at Grounded Cafe is committed to serving food and breaking down stereotypes. Since 2017, this community coffee shop has been hiring individuals with disabilities to help them develop their skills and build confidence. Grounded Cafe also invests in and gives back to the community by sourcing its food ingredients from local farmers and gardeners.

7. Sweet Abilities

Check out Sweet Abilities’ Facebook for up-to-date events.

Sweet Abilities is an ice cream truck in Wisconsin that delivers more than just ice cream and other sweet treats. This business also staffs the truck with people who live with disabilities. Since 2020, the founder (a former special education teacher) has been committed to operating Sweet Abilities, giving employees the chance to strengthen their existing skills and learn new ones.

The Sweet Abilities truck and employees. (Original photography from Sweet Abilities)

8. Festival Foods

Location: Various locations throughout the state

This supermarket chain isn’t only known for its enjoyable shopping experience and incredible customer service. Its support for staffing stores with employees who live with disabilities is a well-known and celebrated fact, earning the chain a 2023 Top Disability-Friendly Employer in Wisconsin award.

9. Allis Manufacturing

Location: 647 S 94th Place, West Allis

A staple on the Wisconsin manufacturing scene, Allis Manufacturing has been serving the community for over 70 years and makes a conscious effort to hire people with diverse abilities. According to its mission, Allis Manufacturing supports the development of personalized training plans and is a business that fosters an environment where unique talents thrive. The company believes diversity and teamwork drive innovation and empower individuals to contribute and succeed.

Bonus: Educational programs

In addition to the Wisconsin businesses staffed by people living with disabilities, there are other educational resources specifically committed to bridging the gap.

The Uniquely Abled Academy (UAA) at MATC

Location: 700 W. State St., Milwaukee,

This educational program focuses on giving students on the Autism spectrum hands-on training to help them launch a career in manufacturing. UAA runs over the course of two semesters, during which students receive over 500 hours of instruction. One of the many successful partnerships that has emerged from The Uniquely Abled Academy at MATC is its partnership with Allis Manufacturing.

For more information about the program, get in touch here.

Sheperds College

Location: 1805 15th Avenue, Union Grove

Sheperds College is a post-secondary school for people living with developmental and intellectual disabilities. There are three different occupational programs available to students, including culinary arts, horticulture, and technology. They boast an eight-to-one student-to-teacher ratio and a 90% gainful employment rate after graduation.

In addition to The Uniquely Abled Academy at MATC and Shepherds College, several schools in the University of Wisconsin system have resources dedicated to inclusive educational opportunities.