Tiffany Fixter, a special education teacher with a master’s degree from the University of Kansas in autism spectrum disorders, moved to Denver to run a day program for adults with special needs.
But when she saw her clients with developmental disorders engaging in time-filler crafts and activities that weren’t enriching their lives, she grew frustrated. So in October 2016, Fixter opened Brew ability Lab with head brewer Tanner Schneller to create job opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities, including autism. Accommodations like visual checklists, color-coded and brailed taps and menus, and a picture-based point-of-sale system support Brew ability’s four employees in their work—and help special needs customers enjoy the brewery, too.
What makes brewing an appealing industry to create opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities?
This story is from the #124 (May 2017) edition of BeerAdvocate magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the #124 (May 2017) edition of BeerAdvocate magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Scientists Sequence Complete Barley Genome
After more than 10 years of research, the complete barley genome has been sequenced by a consortium of researchers from 11 countries.
Beer On Wheels
What arrives on three wheels, keeps your kegs cold, and pours fresh beer out of two taps on its side? The Coaster Beer Trike.
Aftermath Pale - Ale Black Market Brewing
The zombie apocalypse might be a product of contemporary culture, but for Randy Mosher, “red-sky dreams of The End at night” lingered for many years.
Strength in Numbers
Will Mergers Help Small Breweries Compete with Big Beer.
Far from the Field
Downtown Breweries Embrace Urban Farmhouse Beer.
Cast In Stone
Brewers Experiment with Equipment that Has Winemaking Origins.
The Dram Shop
As a creative writing major, former touring musician, and the son of two entrepreneurs, it was only a matter of time until Zach Millar started an interesting business of his own. After spending 11 years at Missoula’s Big Sky Brewing, first in the taproom, then as a distribution manager for the brewery’s 26-state wholesaler network, he decided to apply his skills to the only one of the three tiers he hadn’t dipped his toes into. The Dram Shop was born.
Lucy Session Sour - Indeed Brewing Company
While bars and beer gardens in Europe are typically child-friendly, in the US, many of these businesses remain for adults only. At Indeed, however, kids are welcome in the taproom, and the brewery sells soda and sparkling water in addition to ales and lagers. The only rule? Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian after 8 p.m.
Tiffany Fixter & Tanner Schneller - Founder and Head Brewer, Brewability Lab
Tiffany Fixter, a special education teacher with a master’s degree from the University of Kansas in autism spectrum disorders, moved to Denver to run a day program for adults with special needs.
Feral Ones
The Unlikely Origins of Firestone Walker’s Barrelworks.
