All eyes follow Austin Darga when he walks into a movie theater, his gyrating white cane leading the way.
He doesn’t care, and he can’t notice.
But he likes movies. “I depend on all my other senses,” said Darga, who has been blind since birth. “I participate just like everyone else would. Maybe I’m a little different, but it’s really the same.”
Darga can’t hide his disability, nor does he want to. That’s what makes him an ideal spokesperson for a community that’s too often ignored — or worse, shunned.
Darga, a resident of Elmwood Township, is the official spokesperson of Grand Traverse Industries, a Traverse City company that advocates for the employment of people with disabilities.
As part of his responsibilities, Darga initiated a podcast a little over a year ago. Its title is, “As I See It.”
“My main goal is to provide a voice for the disability community. It basically started with small talk. I did a community outing with my producers, and I carried on a conversation about how I see things through my experience, Dayna, who was with me, said that might be something that other people would want to know about.”
He was referring to Dayna Ryan, director of operations at Grand Traverse Industries (GTI).
“I think Austin’s drive and ability to represent himself are what happens when people are good advocates for themselves,” Ryan said. “If you listen to the podcast, you know it’s representative of what happens when people come together.”
The podcast opens with a series of people with differing voices and abilities saying, “As I see it.”.
After that, Darga skillfully guides his guests through life stories and experiences with his signature perfect diction.
His latest production, “Spreading Happiness,” features father-and-son entrepreneurs Mark and John Cronin of suburban Long Island. Darga connects with the Cronins, a family that refuses to concede to the usual outcome for people with disabilities as they move into adulthood. Four out of five people with disabilities are unemployed. John has Down syndrome.
“John was in his last year of high school, and like everyone else, wanted to see what happens next,” Mark said on the podcast. “John is a natural entrepreneur. If he couldn’t find a job, he was going to make one ... So John said, ‘Let’s start a business together.’” Their business, named John’s Crazy Socks, was a huge success.
As the three share turns at their microphones, the events leading to the creation of a successful online sock-selling business emerge. The crazy socks concept brought in $13,000 in its first month on the web. The cofounders contribute 10 percent of the proceeds to Special Olympics.
Darga is unafraid to let his guests forge their on-air paths yet seems soundly in control of the outcome. He’s a natural.
Reflected GTI director Ryan, “We’re just following Austin, and we’re having fun.”
The podcast represents an extension of the life forged by Darga, one of 181 foster children mentored by Dave and Sharon Darga. They adopted two—Austin and his sister Sierra, who lives just down the street from Dave, Sharon, and Austin.
“We raised him just like other kids,” Sharon Darga said. “There is nothing they can’t do. If you give them opportunities, unconditional love, and acceptance, they are going to do great. If they don’t get out in the community, how will other people know their potential?”
Austin, who is 30, graduated from Traverse City West in 2013 and attended the regional intermediate school district’s Life Skill Center until the maximum age of 26. Recalling his dog, Brea, had a positive impact on his life; Austin wrote letters and lobbied to have a resident therapy dog at the Life Skill Center.
“(The principal) invited me to come before the school board and had me represent my case as to why one would be good for the school,” Darga recalled. Now Freda, tail-a-wagging, visits the center twice a week.
Darga started with mostly assembly work at GTI for three and a half years, which did not take advantage of his ample communication skills.
Credit GTI for recognizing his potential. Darga has become an active spokesperson for GTI, having conducted a steady stream of interviews with radio personalities in northern Michigan.
He’s led training sessions to teach people how to interact with the disabled.
“I’m also doing social media interviews as well as public speaking promotions. I’ve spoken at the Kiwanis Club, Optimist Club, and I recently spoke at Sunrise Rotary,” he said.
His passion shows in his podcasts.
“I feel that I’ve had a major impact in the community. I feel very good about what I’m doing, and I mfeel like I’ve impacted a lot of lives around town,” Darga said.
Added Sharon, his mother, “I don’t see him stopping anytime soon.”
