Patrick Romzek named Disability Pride Month Game Changers honoree

DETROIT – Patrick Romzek enjoyed a lengthy career in information technology (IT) before dedicating his post-retirement life to advocating for the disability community.

And for Romzek, whose son, Andrew, was born with Down syndrome, helping people with disabilities stems from his belief that every person has talent, abilities and potential.

“What inspired me was my son and my work,” Romzek said. “That led to setting up IT training academies for people with disabilities, which led to developing Andrew’s Place.”

Romzek is the Executive Director of Andrew’s Place, a Northville, Mich.-headquartered non-profit organization that strives to create a more equitable society by helping people with disabilities access the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.

“When I started our flagship program, it was to help people get jobs in IT,” Romzek said. “I knew there were a lot of jobs in IT and at the time, the company I worked for couldn’t find quality people who would show up to work. I also knew there were people with disabilities who just wanted an opportunity to prove themselves, and that led to everything else.”

The Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers and Comerica Bank continue the Game Changers series throughout Disability Pride Month in July by celebrating Romzek’s selfless work.

“Kudos to the Red Wings, Tigers and Comerica Bank for focusing on (Disability Pride Month),” Romzek said. “There’s a lot of organizations that help the voiceless, but also plenty that don’t think about these people who are no different than you and me. They were just born with different challenges.”

Andrew’s Place also offers scholarship programs to help young people with disabilities attend Catholic schools. A practicing Catholic, Romzek said his faith guides his work.

“Andrew’s Place does a lot of things, but all that we do is focused on enriching the lives of people with disabilities,” Romzek said. “Their work life, our programs, their spiritual life. We do a lot of work in the Catholic church.”

Romzek said people with disabilities, like his son, are inspiring.

“For people with disabilities, the challenges are things like learning to walk or using a toilet,” Romzek said. “But what we take for granted become enormous challenges for people with disabilities. They really have a tenacity and drive to overcome.”

Romzek said the Game Changers platform is important because it brings the community together by raising awareness and supporting good causes.

“Everybody knows what the Red Wings and Tigers are,” Romzek said. “So that’s why this can raise awareness about the challenges people with disabilities endure and the people who are making a difference.”

For more information on Andrew’s Place, visit andrewsplace.org.