Company Teaches Screen Printing to the Disabled — and Wins Important Grant

May 22, 2008

York County Able-Printers demonstrate teamwork as they complete a screen printing order.

York County Able-Printers, Mount Wolf, Pa., is a lot more than just a screen printer and promotional products company. It gives mentally and physically disabled people a place where they can learn an industry, make money for themselves and contribute their skills to a business.

Founded in 2006 by Janet Gould, president, the company is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. She, along with a variety of volunteers, teaches the team members (disabled employees) the decorating industry, as well as marketing, graphic arts and computer skills. "The main thing is to teach them how to do things on their own and as a team, without our help," says Gould.

The team members do everything involved in the business from answering the phone to the artwork. Gould and her volunteers also teach them how to interact with the business community through role-playing and other methods so that they are able to deliver the products to customers themselves. The company does a lot of sublimation printing and some small-quantity screen printing. Larger orders (500 or more pieces) are currently outsourced.

York County Able-Printers just scored some major assistance and a well-deserved honor. It received a $25,000 grant from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Quality of Life Program. An idea conceived by the late Dana Reeve, Quality of Life grants through the Foundation are awarded to programs or projects that improve the daily lives of people living with disabilities. York County Able-Printers' grant is the largest one ever presented to a single Quality of Life recipient with the Foundation's own dollars (as opposed to federal dollars through a sister program).

The company is using the grant money to purchase upgraded screen printing equipment. It has a manual press right now and is eagerly awaiting the arrival of its Anatol Mini Horizon four-color automatic from Press-A-Print (expected to arrive in a month). Gould chose the Idaho Falls, Idaho, company's equipment because it more easily allows for the various adaptations her team members might need.

"For example, we'll add a stander for a man in a wheelchair. Right now he does the curing," she says. She adds that there might be additional adaptations to the system once it arrives and is set up. An occupational therapist will help the company with determining the changes. The Press-A-Print system is all connected — for instance, the flash dryer is attached — which makes it easier for the team members to work on projects together, an integral part of the company's operations.

In addition to increasing business, York County Able-Printers expects to use the new equipment to bring in additional team members. "We want to be able to acquire new jobs so that we can hire more people with disabilities and increase the commissions of the current team members," says Gould. "The system helps their self-esteem. I've seen their pride in their work grow so much," she says. — Liz Aull

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