Gregory L.: Shredding Stereotypes about People with Disabilities
As a high school student, Gregory L. had a job shredding paper and developed an interest in that line of work. The El Paso Customized Employment Program, through a grant funded by ODEP, helped him to establish a business, which he registered with the state of Texas. The Upper Rio Grande @ Work Customized Employment Program purchased a commercial shredder and computer for Gregory. While some customers pay him to shred their documents, a local pet shop buys the shredded paper. Gregory, who has multiple disabilities including cerebral palsy, plans to hire others with disabilities for his growing business, which has been featured on the PBS program “Hire El Paso.”