Business Spotlight- The Effortless Bow
The Effortless Bow is an inclusive studio that employs adults with intellectual disabilities including autism and Down Syndrome. They make and sell bows in an environment where everyone feels supported. The mission of The Effortless Bow is to create enjoyable and meaningful employment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Mary Spargur is the owner of The Effortless Bow. Mary spent 11 years in the classroom as a special education teacher. In 2021, Mary left the classroom behind and started The Effortless Bow. She opened the studio in 2023. Her philosophy is, “If we are never taught or encouraged to speak up for what we want, we start to believe we don’t matter. Autonomy is a human right. People with disabilities deserve an integrated life. It is a human right.” Tasks completed by employees are universally designed. All tasks are broken down step-by-step. Spring action craft scissors are used by everyone, for example, but may be particularly useful to someone who struggles with fine motor skills. Mary noticed tape was difficult for her employees to use, so now labels are used on boxes and other items to accommodate everyone. These accommodations cost nothing and help everyone!
Mary focuses on creating a positive, inclusive workspace, providing socially valuable experiences, and bringing the community together. To learn more about The Effortless Bow and purchase merchandise, visit www.theeffortlessbow.com.
Board Member Blog: Parker Hanson's Personal Story
My name is Parker Hanson and I am a board member for Employment Disability Resources. A fun fact about me, I was born without my left hand and overcame my disability to play professional baseball. I am proud to say I am 1 of 2 people ever to play professional baseball with only one hand, the first being Jim Abbott who played multiple seasons in Major League Baseball, and also threw a no-hitter.
My journey to professional baseball started when I was 3 years old when I first picked up a bat and glove, playing T-Ball in the yard with my older siblings. My siblings played a vital role in my development as an athlete as I consistently played against bigger, faster, and stronger competition, and being that they are my siblings, they never took it easy on me. As the years went on, it was apparent that I had the mental ability to play at a high level, but it was still a question mark if I would be able to physically adapt to play at a high level with only one hand. As you could imagine, it took me much longer to learn the basic skills in baseball and in life as I had to adapt to my disability. I was fortunate enough to have access to prosthetic arms and a baseball attachment that connected to the bat, which allowed me to swing with both arms and generate more power.
Employment Disability Resources is proud to offer the Disability Inclusion Partner program!
In partnership with the Sioux Falls Disability Awareness and Accessibility Review Board (DAARB), we give local businesses who employ one or more people with disabilities an award to acknowledge and celebrate their diverse, inclusive workplace culture. Watch for the “Disability Inclusion Partner” sticker on the doors of local businesses. Businesses that recently received a Disability Inclusion Partner sticker include:
- The Effortless Bow
- Sioux Empire United Way
