Disney World Hired People With Disabilities To Create Christmas Decorations For Animal Kingdom’s Discovery Island
Nov 29, 2019 by apost team
As Christmas draws ever closer, families are descending on Walt Disney World in Florida to see some of the park’s spectacular holiday decorations. Disney’s holiday décor this year has a special story, however.
To make Discovery Island in Animal Kingdom all the more special, Disney executives turned to Augusta Training Shop in Georgia, a non-profit organization that helps train people with disabilities to be artisans. Five employees of Augusta made Christmas snowflakes for Discovery Island, giving a unique sense of design to each and every one of the island’s displays.
In a video posted to the official Disney Parks YouTube page, Audrey Murell, executive director of Augusta, thanked Disney for reaching out to them.
“What Disney has done for us is breathe new life into these hearts and these hands,” Murell, said. “That one beautiful creation is allowing five people with disabilities to have a job and meaningful life.”
The organization employs people age 18 to 79 with disabilities that include cerebral palsy and autism as well the blind and the deaf. Employees at Augusta practice skills such as weaving, metal restoration, and furniture repair for a monthly paycheck.
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To show their gratitude and celebrate the work of the five artisans, Disney recently invited them to the park to see the fruits of their labor firsthand. The snowflakes are featured on wreaths and trees that decorate the pathways of Discovery Island.
“I never thought that thousands of people would come over to this park and see my work,” said Trenton Martin, one of the artisans. “It makes us so proud.”
“It brings real joy for me to see it,” added fellow artisan Kasey Warning.
Murell later congratulated the five workers in a post on Augusta Training Shop’s Facebook page.
Murell said that she is honored to work with such persistent and loving individuals, adding that part of Augusta’s goal is to help their employees to try new things and get out of their comfort zone. Murell concluded her post by once again thanking Walt Disney World and those who continue to support the shop.
What do you think of how Walt Disney World employed people with disabilities to make some of the Christmas and holiday decorations for Discovery Island? What are your plans for Christmas this year? Let us know in the comments - and make sure you pass this along to your friends and family!