While Disability Pride Month only lasts for one month, Toyota’s business partnering group, ToyotAbility, advocates for disability awareness throughout the year.
ToyotAbility is a group of employees at Toyota that supports individuals and families with various disabilities, including those with neurodiversity. The group aims to promote awareness, provide shared experiences that foster empathy, and amplify the voices and visibility of those affected by disabilities.
The ToyotAbility chapter based in Plano, Texas, held its first Disability Pride Month in July, which was well received. The proceeds from a silent auction during the event were donated to My Possibilities, an organization that assists adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in North Texas.
Additionally, ToyotAbility participated in a volunteer event at My Possibilities to help students in the classroom. The group also partnered with Parents at Toyota and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) to provide virtual support and resources for caregivers.
These initiatives and events highlight the significance of ToyotAbility in supporting Toyota’s commitment to inclusivity and mobility for all.
Driving Connections
One ToyotAbility member, Gus Perez, joined the group shortly after joining Toyota in 2019. As a senior instructional designer for Toyota Financial Services, Perez felt a desire to connect with his colleagues and found that ToyotAbility’s mission resonated with him.
Living with spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic neuromuscular disease that affects his strength and mobility, Perez found a sense of community and leadership within ToyotAbility.
He became involved as a board member and contributed his expertise as a senior instructional designer to support education and development within the group. Perez has also taken on the role of a spokesperson for ToyotAbility, participating in training programs and leading conversations both within and outside the company.
Perez’s involvement in ToyotAbility has given him a sense of pride and fulfillment, as he believes he has contributed to the group’s progress in advancing their shared mission and values.
Speaking Up and Sparking Change
Gabriel Marciano, a product engineer at Toyota, sought out ToyotAbility while facing his own mobility challenges at Toyota West Virginia. Due to mitochondrial disease, Marciano needed accommodations to move around the facilities, ultimately leading to the use of a power chair on the plant floors.
Using his voice and advocating for himself not only improved his own work experience but also empowered him to help other employees facing similar situations.
Marciano is passionate about promoting awareness for individuals with physical disabilities and “invisible” diseases. He believes that providing mobility solutions for people with physical disabilities is an important aspect of inclusivity.
Passion for Service
Wendy Teufel, an engineer at Toyota, became involved with ToyotAbility after being inspired by her daughter, who has neurodivergent special needs. Teufel saw ToyotAbility as an opportunity to advocate and improve the lives of individuals with disabilities.
As the chair for ToyotAbility’s Community Engagement program, Teufel has organized events that raise awareness and provide educational experiences. For example, she coordinated a baseball event with the Miracle League of Frisco, where ToyotAbility members volunteered as “buddies” for kids with special needs.
Teufel believes that community engagement is crucial for promoting exposure, inclusion, and impact, and she is grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside a supportive team at ToyotAbility.