This Pizza Joint Employs Special Needs Staff But Some People Are Afraid To Go In And Refer To The Workers As 'Retards'

Pizzability in Denver is a pizza joint with a difference: it is completely staffed by individuals with disabilities. It was founded by Tiffany Fixter, a former special needs education teacher who saw a niche in the community for jobs and training for adults with mental and physical disabilities.

People Make Fun Of Special Needs Workers At Pizzability, Heartbroken Woman Asks People For Help

Image credits: Tori Mason

The small business, located in the Cherry Creek area, has a great concept and location but is struggling to survive in a world of massive restaurant chains with a convenient and super speedy delivery service.

“Everybody on my staff has an intellectual, developmental or mental disability,” Fixter told Denver 7 news. “We have people that are blind and deaf. They have autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy.”

Even though the restaurant, that’s all about inclusiveness, has a big impact on the local community, business is business, and Pizzability needs to fight to make ends meet. “People think we’re really successful, and that’s great,” Fixter said. “But I don’t know if we’re going to make it.”

The attitudes of some rude people certainly don’t help matters, as highlighted by local journalist Tori Mason. The CBS4 Denver reporter was “ heartbroken and disgusted” to find that people have been heard saying, “that’s where the retards work,” and hanging around outside, afraid to come in.

People Make Fun Of Special Needs Workers At Pizzability, Heartbroken Woman Asks People For Help

Image credits: Tori Mason

What a crappy attitude towards a place that is promoting an inclusive society and welcoming to everyone, giving disadvantaged people – who might otherwise be overlooked in the labor market – the chance to earn a dignified living in a great environment!

People Make Fun Of Special Needs Workers At Pizzability, Heartbroken Woman Asks People For Help

Image credits: Pizzability

Pizzability follows another of Fixter’s businesses, Brewability Lab. Brewability employs six beertenders, and since most can’t read, the day’s selections are designated a color, both on the taps and on the menu. “I wanted something where they could feel purposeful,” Fixter told craftbeer.com.

The craft beer brewery opened in October 2016, and some of its beers can be tasted on tap at Pizzability. Craft beer and great pizza? What more could you ask for!

People Make Fun Of Special Needs Workers At Pizzability, Heartbroken Woman Asks People For Help

Image credits: Pizzability

The reviews for Pizzability are flawless, 5 stars all round. “Amazing food! Huge slices with tons of flavor! The staff are incredible, so genuine and helpful, makes you feel very comfortable!!!” Is the latest example.

“You won’t find better customer service at any other restaurant out there! 10/10 would recommend to anyone who lives near or visits Denver! You can’t miss out on this gem!”

People Make Fun Of Special Needs Workers At Pizzability, Heartbroken Woman Asks People For Help

Image credits: Pizzability

So what are you waiting for, Denverites? Delicious pizza, tasty beers, friendly staff and a small business that makes a huge difference to the local community. Go get yourself a slice or 2!

People Make Fun Of Special Needs Workers At Pizzability, Heartbroken Woman Asks People For Help

Image credits: Tori Mason

Here’s what people had to say about the inclusive and open-hearted restaurant

People Make Fun Of Special Needs Workers At Pizzability, Heartbroken Woman Asks People For Help

People also went to facebook to share their recommendations:

People Make Fun Of Special Needs Workers At Pizzability, Heartbroken Woman Asks People For Help

As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, I indulge in the joy of curating delightful content, from adorable pet photos to hilarious memes, all while nurturing my wanderlust and continuously seeking new adventures and interests—sometimes thrilling, sometimes daunting, but always exciting!

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James is a Bored Panda reporter who graduated with a BA in Peace And Conflict Studies and an MA in African Affairs. Before Bored Panda, he was an English teacher and also travelled a lot, doing odd jobs from beer-slinging to brickie's labourer and freelance journalism along the way. James loves covering stories about social and environmental issues and prefers to highlight the positive things that unite us, rather than petty internet squabbles about fictional characters. James is the grumpy, contradictory one who thinks that Bored Panda, due to its large audience, has a social responsibility to inspire and inform its readers with interesting issues and entertaining, well-researched stories. Let's do our bit to make our little corner of the internet a smarter, more truthful and less angry place!

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