Inclusivity Takes a Village

TASC client, Kyle has been working at Amazon Fresh for the past 10 months. He is one of the Center Store Associates at the Encino location, where he stocks shelves, helps customers, does inventory, and much more. In this position, Kyle’s interests and abilities are at an intersection allowing him to shine.

“We use a Touch Computer that we wear on our wrist and everything that happens in the store is all controlled through that,” said Kyle. “If I need to stow something, stock something, check an expiration date, move something from one place to another, count something specific… I can do that too.” Karen, Kyle’s mother, says computers are right up his alley.

A major benefit of the Amazon Fresh stores is that the aisles are wide, without displays down the sides, which allows a lot of room to maneuver. This small change improves safety for employees like Kyle, who was born with cerebral palsy. Kyle says he even drives a hand-truck down the aisles!

Space wasn’t the only concern when it came to Kyle’s work; people with cerebral palsy can also have balance issues. Kyle was given an extender so he can reach shelves without climbing a ladder or crouching on the floor. Alternatively, Kyle can track which shelves he stocks on his TC so that another employee can do the top or bottom shelves in that aisle.

“[Amazon Fresh] tries hard to figure out accommodations for Kyle which I've been incredibly grateful for because he's one of the team, he's not excluded because he can't do this or that – they've figured out how to modify it,” said Karen. “He has a successful job with these slight accommodations that don't hinder anybody else.”

Kyle’s successes are often recognized; he’s received recognition cards and incentives for correctly answering safety questions and recently got a raise.

Kyle is also constantly learning new skills at the store; his job is never stagnant. He is always up to learn new skills, and the store is happy to teach them. “They have a special box cutter – as a parent I was like no way – but they taught him to use a box cutter where the blade can’t ever touch your hand,” said Karen.

Kyle says his favorite thing about working at Amazon Fresh is the people. “Everybody there is super friendly, and I always feel welcome, and I’ve made so many friends there."

Since Kyle works locally, some of his friends get to see him at work. “...You can see the wheels turning because they're like, I could do this too,” said Karen. “It's really about opening eyes.” Kyle has even gotten a job for one of his neighbors, who also has special needs.

When he isn’t working or playing computer games, Kyle sings with the Sunshine Singers, a special needs choir ran by the CSUN Music Therapy Clinic. He has been a long time participant in soccer and basketball programs developed for people with special needs, now ran by his mom. He even fits in time to go on dates with his girlfriend of 12 years, Desi.

Karen and Kyle’s journey hasn’t been easy. From first accepting that her baby had physical and intellectual disabilities, Karen has had to advocate for Kyle his entire childhood. “I was so out of my element in the beginning,” said Karen. “It scared me to death. LAUSD wanted Kyle in school at age 3 to get support – it’s overwhelming and a lot of parents don’t even want to try. We put him in every program that was available: physical therapy, speech therapy, equestrian therapy…it filled up our lives. People are scared of all that involvement.”

It’s been a great comfort to Kyle’s family to know that Regional Center will be there for him his entire life. “Finding out he's disabled at 18 months - I’m not looking at his entire life, I’m treading water. Yes, it's going to be crazy when your kid is little but when your kid is an adult these programs are going to be really critical for their success in the world.”

Kyle has been grateful for the help of his job coaches at TASC: Natalia, Lily, Katie, and Alicia. They are his biggest supporters and can assist with things like scheduling concerns.

Now that Kyle is an adult, he is able to advocate for himself. If he does run into issues, he can lean on the support from his TASC team. Working gives Kyle the independence he needs.

Kyle gives the following advice for people like him who may be nervous about getting a job:“If you’re looking for employment, you should just come over here [to TASC] and they will help you. Everyone has been so warm and welcoming.”

For more information on the sports programs mentioned, click on the links below.

www.ayso33.org – Click on the link for VIP Soccer (special needs soccer – all ages)

www.laparks.org/reccenter/balboa-sports-complex - Scroll to Sports and click on VIP Winter 2023 (special needs basketball – all ages)

The THANK Y♥️U Campaign

is still on through December!

There is still time to donate to our THANK Y♥️U Campaign; it will continue until the end of the year.

There is a $1.8 billion funding gap to the disability system in California. Providers of these critical services must cover the difference to ensure that all are able to live inclusive and meaningful lives. Your donations help close this gap.

Click here to learn more about the people and the programs that need your support!

TASC Gift Policy

During this time of year, it's natural to want to share holiday cheer with one another. Please take a quick read below for TASC's updated gift policy if you plan to give a gift to an employee at TASC.

Gifts from Clients/Clients’ Family Members/Clients’ Representatives and Funding Sources to Employees: Employees may accept gifts not exceeding $25 (once a year) from clients, clients’ family members and/or representatives, and funding sources, unless otherwise prohibited under this policy. If the employee is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), the gift must not exceed $10 per the profession’s code of ethics.

Additionally, the following conditions must be met:

• The gift (or promise of a gift) must be disclosed by the employee to their supervisor. If a gift is seen as inappropriate, or excessive, it may need to be returned.
• Supervisors must notify administration for record keeping.
• If a gift is given by a client then the gift needs to be turned in and TASC will determine the best course of action, at the very least giving the client a gift of the same amount as to not create an awkward situation.

1. The following are examples of acceptable gifts. This list is not all-inclusive:

• Modest items of food and non-alcoholic beverages, such as baskets, boxes, or arrangements of fruit, muffins, or other snacks;
• Modest refreshments such as coffee, water, fruit, trail mix, or cookies, offered at a meeting (such as a vendor meeting or IPP meeting), and not as part of a meal or large spread of food;
• Pre-approved catered or other pre-arranged events; and
• TASC must consider whether the purpose of the event aligns with TASC’s obligation to maintain objectivity, and a TASC director must therefore pre-approve TASC’s participation in such events. Please make sure to notify TASC as early as possible of such invitations to allow TASC sufficient time for consideration.
• Small items distributed in the ordinary course of business, such as pens, pencils, paper weights, mugs, calendars, notebooks, etc., bearing the name of an organization.
• Larger marketing items such as backpacks, tote bags, water bottles, and t-shirts bearing the name of the organization are prohibited.

2. The following gifts are prohibited and shall not be accepted by TASC employees:

• Cash or cash equivalent (such as gift cards, gift certificates, and discounts on items) of any value*;
• Gifts that exceed $25*;
• Items prohibited by law;
• Alcohol;
• Tobacco;
• Drugs, whether legal or illegal;
• Items containing or involving nudity or lewd behavior;
• Large marketing items distributed by an organization bearing the name of that organization, such as backpacks, tote bags, water bottles, and t-shirts;
• Catered or other pre-arranged events without prior appropriate approval;
• A gift given with an understanding that it is used to influence a decision related to the employee’s job performance or a TASC business decision; and
• Frequent gifts over a short period of time.

3. In the event that a client/client’s family member/client’s representative wants to express thanks or

acknowledge a TASC employee or employees with a gift that violates this policy, they are

encouraged to instead make a donation to TASC’s General Fund that will be used where needed

most for services. Donations to TASC are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

• Donations should be given directly to the TASC office with the attention to the Development Department. If the donation is provided by a client/client’s family member/client’s representative, then it will not be shared with the respective program that the person receives services from as to not create undue influence on the client’s services.



4. *December holiday gifts policy exception:

• A gift of $25 or less in gift card or check or money order are permitted as long as the director of the program is shown the gift to review. If cash of $25 is given by anyone other than the client, it must be turned in and a decision by the director will be made based on the policy.
• If a gift is given by a client then the gift needs to be turned in and TASC will determine the best course of action, at the very least giving the client a gift of the same amount as to not create an awkward situation.

Gifts from Employees to Clients and Funding Sources: Employees shall not provide gifts of any value, including money of any amount, to clients, clients’ family members and/or representatives, or funding sources, without prior written authorization from the employee’s supervisor.

We are sending you warm wishes from all of us at TASC during this holiday season.

We are so incredibly grateful for all of your support for TASC throughout the year. You help us grow, you strengthen our impact - you allow us to continue in our mission to support individuals with developmental disabilities!

Wishing you and yours all the joy, peace, and love that this time of year brings.Stay healthy and well!

Program Closures: 

The TASC Office will be closed on Monday, December 26 and Monday, January 2 in observance of Christmas and New Year's Day.

TASC Day Programs will be closed Tuesday, December 27, 2022 - Monday January 2, 2023, returning on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.