NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — October marks the beginning of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the value and talent workers with disabilities add to workplaces across the United States.

In Volusia County, one family does its part to provide a safe workspace where people with different abilities can work.

What You Need To Know

  • October marks the beginning of National Disability Employment Awareness Month  

  • In Volusia County, one family provide a safe workspace where people with different abilities can work

  • The Highet family in New Smyrna Beach opened Kat's Cafe and Kat's Arts in March 17, 2023 — a longtime dream of the family after their daughter, Katherine, was diagnosed with autism at 2-1/2 years old and was nonverbal

  • Katherine plays the Celtic harp, and she also plays piano at Kat's Arts and Kat's Cafe. The family plans to hire people of all abilities to work at their storefront 

Choosing the right colors has always come naturally to Katherine Highet. In 2020, Katherine and her mom, Danuta Highet, started taking pottery classes at Jane’s Art Center in New Smyrna Beach as a way to spend quality time together. 

“At first when we started, I basically took a class together with her, and we were both working on the same piece,” Danuta said.

Three years later, they are still in the same class, but Katherine works independently.

“It's great because we're having fun together, and I know she's learning, and I know she's loving it. She just, like, loves being here,” Danuta said.

From cutting strips of clay, to learning about the different instruments, the parts that come together will later create strong and beautiful art, like the bond between mom and daughter. 

But pottery is not the only form of art at which Katherine excels. She’s also a talented harp musician, and she plays at Kat’s Cafe.

“Kat’s Cafe was always our dream,” Danuta said.

It’s a space her family opened in New Smyrna Beach last year and named after Katherine. They expanded it later to include Kat’s Arts next door.

Katherine was diagnosed with autism at 2-1/2 years old and was nonverbal.

“It was definitely a life-changing situation,” Danuta said.

As Katherine grew up, her parents wanted to make sure she was still involved in a regular school environment.

“One of the biggest missions was from inclusion, including her when she was little in a classroom," Danuta said. "I knew she couldn't learn. I knew, but I wanted the kids to learn about autism.”

From inclusion in school to participation in life, Katherine’s family always wanted her to feel part of the community. Katherine found in music another way to express herself. 

“People say it takes a village to raise a child. I'd say it takes a little city to raise a child with autism,” Danuta said.

A little city like New Smyrna Beach, where the Highet family is working to create an environment of inclusion.

“Our goal is not to just make it all about disabilities. We want this to be an inclusive environment,” Danuta said.

They want to hire people of all abilities to work at Kat’s Cafe & Arts.

“It’s a very small percentage of people with autism that are employed because of that limitation," Danuta explained. "And it's two ways because one is they don't know how to interact with the world, but also the world doesn't know how to interact with them.”

Katherine is now 38 years old. 

“She is my baby girl still, always will be," Danuta said.

She also plays the piano for people who visit Kat’s Cafe & Arts, hoping to inspire everyone who listens. 

Kat’s Cafe & Kat’s Arts is located at 100 North Cooper St. in New Smyrna Beach. It is open to the public on Wednesdays through Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.