WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), a member of the Special Committee on Aging, attended a hearing on Supporting Economic Stability and Self-Sufficiency as Americans with Disabilities and their Families Age. During the hearing, Senator Tillis spoke on the work of Ben Wright, a business owner from North Carolina who was testifying before the committee. Mr. Wright spoke to the Committee about the importance of reducing the stigma that prevents employers from hiring Americans with disabilities.

Ben and his wife, Amy, opened Bitty & Beau’s Coffee in 2016, named after their two youngest children who have down syndrome. Today, Bitty & Beau’s employs more than 70 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across three locations. In 2017, Amy Wright was named CNN’s Hero of the Year.

“I want to thank you, Ben, for starting this incredible business and your work to bring the Wilmington community together. When I visited last year, we talked about what more we can do to really provide more opportunities for a lot of people with disabilities who want to work. They want to work in part to make money, but they also want to work to have independence. If you’re having a down day and you can get down to Wilmington, North Carolina and visit Bitty & Beau’s, I guarantee you the rest of your day is going to be fantastic. The joy and the optimism is palpable.”

Click HERE to watch the remarks.

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