“Accepting and honoring each person’s uniqueness”
From Stitched INK,
WELLSVILLE, NY — July 2025 — In honor of Disability Pride Month, Stitched INK, the apparel screen-printing, and embroidery social enterprise of Arc Allegany Steuben, proudly celebrates the diversity, talent, and contributions of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and other disabilities who are vital members of our workforce and our community.
This year’s national theme, “We Belong Here, and We’re Here to Stay,” is a powerful declaration that people with disabilities are not just part of our future—they are an essential part of our present. Not someday. Not conditionally. Now.
Disability pride has been described as accepting and honoring each person’s uniqueness and seeing it as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity. At Stitched INK, these values are woven into our operation—from how we design apparel to how we build inclusive employment pathways for people of all abilities.
“Diversity and inclusion are not afterthoughts to how we do business,” said Christopher Koehler, VP of Business Operations at Arc Allegany Steuben. “They’re the very core of everything we do.”
In celebration of the month, the entire Stitched INK team was gifted with custom Stitched INK baseball-style jerseys. “The jersey symbolizes something greater than fashion—it represents what we strive for every day: a team united by purpose. Like in baseball, while individual skills matter, it is strategic coordination, effective communication, and mutual trust that ultimately lead to success. Each jersey is a visible reminder that we win when we work together,” said Koehler.
At Stitched INK, individuals with disabilities play key roles in every aspect of our operation—running embroidery andscreen-printing equipment, preparing artwork for production, mixing inks, quality-checking products, and helpingcreate custom branded apparel for customers across New York State. Their dedication and skill are central to our success.
“It feels like we’re closer than we were 20 years ago to society valuing the diversity and capabilities of all individuals—regardless of their disabilities,” Koehler added. “And this is something to truly celebrate.”
As we mark this month of pride, we honor the contributions of our workforce, who prove every day that inclusion fuels innovation, and that meaningful employment empowers people to shine.
About Stitched INK
At Stitched INK, we blend creativity with compassion to deliver premium screen-printing and embroidery services. As a social enterprise of Arc Allegany Steuben, our mission goes beyond apparel—we empower individuals with IDD and other disabilities by providing them with opportunities for meaningful employment.
Each piece of apparel we create is a testament to our craftsmanship, a celebration of inclusivity, and a contribution to a brighter, more inclusive community. When you choose Stitched INK, you’re not just investing in quality apparel; you’re embracing a cause that champions dignity, diversity, and the power of human potential.
