James Pugh has had many different jobs over the years, but he admits to leaving most of them due to discrimination against his disability.
“I don’t like to use the word ‘disability,’” said the 23-year-old student from St. Louis, Mo. “I say, ‘I’ve been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome,’ but I don’t use it as a crutch. I use it to further myself.”
Pugh is one of seven students from the Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research now employed at a new Quiznos on Texas Tech’s campus. The sandwich shop, on the west side of the Burkhart Center on 18th Street, opened on Jan. 12.
James Pugh working at Tech’s new Quiznos location.
The Burkhart Center collaborated with Tech’s Hospitality Services to create an on-campus restaurant where students who have received diagnoses on the autism spectrum can get hands-on experience that will prepare them to join the work force.
Pugh said he advocates for those on the autism spectrum and is excited about the new program that helps Burkhart students build their resumes and learn necessary job skills.
“I want to help people in any way I can,” he said. “This was one of the best opportunities for me to do that because people on the spectrum have a hard time getting jobs.”
Janice Magness, the director of the Burkhart Transition Academy, was behind the idea for the unique new program.
The Transition Academy, Burkhart Center’s flagship program, aims to teach young adults on the autism spectrum job, life and social skills to apply in the real world.
Magness said the new Quiznos is a great starting point for students trying to better themselves and become independent — two of the Transition Academy’s main goals. But, she said, it is also a working research lab.
The Burkhart Center’s new building was opened last year.
“There will be research done on these young adults as to how they adapt to working,” she said. “Quiznos was interested in that.”
Magness said the Quiznos program adds to the center’s existing partnerships with Goodwill, the Student Union, and the Garrison Center, where other students find job opportunities.
Staff members of Hospitality Services were also more than willing to collaborate with the autism center.
“Even though we’re a food service operation at the university, we’re in the business of education,” said David Deason, the associate managing director of Hospitality Services. “Any time we can collaborate on campus with education initiatives, it’s good for everybody involved.”
Deason said the department was very interested in the opportunity to work with this unique program and get some good employees.
Pugh said his favorite part of his new job is having great work mates.
Former Burkhart student, Eric, working.
“One employee here, he may not be very good at talking to people, but when it comes to doing stuff on the line, I have not seen anybody do a better job with so little training,” he said. “I mean he only got trained on the line one time, and he does everything perfectly, and you don’t see that from neurotypical people all of the time.”
Magness said she has great hope for the work program at Quiznos, which is open every weekday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“So far, I’m impressed,” she said. “I think that the management has been great; the students have done a good job, and everyone seems to like the food, so I’m very hopeful it’s going to be a big success.”
About Nicole Crites
