At John’s Crazy Socks, we believe in more than just spreading happiness with fun and creative socks; we are committed to showcasing what people with differing abilities can achieve. A key part of this mission is our active participation in the CEO Commission for Disability Employment—a powerful initiative that seeks to raise awareness and ensure equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Why Join the CEO Commission for Disability Employment?
Our mission at John’s Crazy Socks is deeply rooted in advocating for people with differing abilities. More than half of our colleagues has a differing ability and we have seen firsthand the immense talent, creativity, and dedication they bring to our business. However, our efforts go beyond our own operations. By joining the CEO Commission for Disability Employment, we’ve committed to collaborating with other leading companies to further disability-inclusive hiring practices.
Founded by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), Voya Financial, and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the CEO Commission is dedicated to breaking down barriers to employment for individuals with disabilities.
Mark X. Cronin, our co-founder, highlights the importance of this collaboration, stating, “We believe it is good business to hire people with differing abilities. We share the CEO Commission’s vision to eliminate barriers to equal employment and encourage employers to meet their needs by hiring people with differing abilities.”
The Untapped Potential of Disability Employment
In the U.S., only one inf five people with a disability are employed. The CEO Commission for Disability Employment seeks to address this by encouraging businesses to see the potential in hiring people with differing abilities. It provides research, information, and actionable steps for companies to create inclusive workplaces.
John Cronin, our co-founder who has Down syndrome, exemplifies what people with disabilities can accomplish when given the right opportunities. He co-founded John’s Crazy Socks and helps lead the company to success, proving that disability should never be a barrier to meaningful work. John will tell you, Down syndrome never holds him back. John frequently speaks about his passion for disability advocacy, saying, “Every day we stand up for the rights of people with differing abilities. We want the world to see what people with differing abilities can do.”
Inclusion is Good for Business
“Simply put,” says Mark X. Cronin, “Hiring people with differing abilities is good business."
Research shows that companies that embrace disability-inclusive hiring experience benefits such as increased innovation, higher employee retention, and improved company morale. Studies have also shown that businesses with diverse workforces, including people with disabilities, are more resilient and adaptable.
Rod Martin, the past CEO of Voya Financial, who co-founded the CEO Commission, has spoken extensively on how disability inclusion strengthens businesses. He notes, “Disability inclusion hiring is not only the right thing to do, but it makes for good business.”
John’s Crazy Socks echoes this sentiment through our TEDx Talk, where we emphasized that hiring people with disabilities is not about charity—it’s about creating thriving, productive workplaces.
Our Impact Through Advocacy
One of the ways we further our mission is through advocacy. By working with policymakers and other leaders, we push for legislative and regulatory changes that advance the rights of people with disabilities. Recently, John and Mark X. Cronin met with key members of Congress to advocate for critical issues, including the elimination of sub-minimum wages for workers with disabilities.
Eliminating the Sub-minimum Wage: Did you know that some employers can legally pay people with disabilities as little as $0.25 per hour? This is due to an outdated provision in the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 that allows for a sub-minimum wage for disabled workers. The CEO Commission and John’s Crazy Socks strongly oppose this practice. We support the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (H.R. 2373), which seeks to eliminate sub-minimum wages and provide transition funding for sheltered workshops to offer competitive wages.
John’s Crazy Socks advocates for the ABLE Accounts, which allow people with disabilities to save money without jeopardizing their eligibility for benefits like SSI and SSD. We have been pushing for legislative changes to enable employers to contribute to these accounts, helping people with disabilities secure financial stability while maintaining essential benefits.
Looking Forward: Our Commitment to the CEO Commission’s Mission
At John’s Crazy Socks, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the CEO Commission for Disability Employmentand its mission to promote disability-inclusive hiring. Through our participation, we aim to inspire other companies, large and small, to recognize the value of hiring people with differing abilities.
We are not only spreading happiness with our socks but also making a difference by leading the charge for greater inclusivity in the workplace. By sharing our experiences, advocating for legislative change, and working alongside industry leaders, we hope to show the world what is possible when people with differing abilities are given the opportunity to thrive.
About John’s Crazy Socks
John’s Crazy Socks was inspired by John Lee Cronin, a young man with Down syndrome, and his love of colorful and fun socks—what he calls his “crazy socks.” He and his father, Mark X. Cronin, started the company as a social enterprise with a mission of Spreading Happiness™. With more than 4,000 socks, John’s Crazy Socks is now the world’s largest sock store. More than half their employees have a differing ability, and their Giving Back program has raised over $800,000 for charity partners like the Special Olympics, the National Down Syndrome Society, and the Autism Society of America. Most of all, they are Spreading Happiness™.
For more information about John’s Crazy Socks, visit our webpage, Facebook page, Instagram account, TikTok or YouTube channel. You can also contact us at 631-760-5625 or via email at service@johnscrazysocks.com.
