Message from the Director
Don't Judge a Book by its Cover
By Jim DeBeaugrine, Director
I was inspired by Bay County Property Appraiser Dan Sowell this week. Sowell, who has cerebral palsy, addressed Governor Charlie Crist and members of the Florida Cabinet on Tuesday in recognition of October's Disability Employment Awareness Month. Sowell has worked in the property appraiser's office for more than 20 years. Last fall, the Bay County voters put their confidence and trust in him by electing him to the top post. The voters looked at his abilities and experience, not physical limitations. That is the point of Disability Employment Awareness Month: reminding people to look at each other's capabilities, not focusing on things that do not matter in the workplace. And Sowell's remarks to the Cabinet on Tuesday reiterated the importance of giving people the opportunity to show what they can contribute.
The ability to feel like you are making a difference is important to everyone. Sowell is just one of the more than 3 million people in Florida with disabilities. As director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, I learn about fabulous employers every day who see abilities in their employees. APD recently concluded a five-year effort to find employment for individuals we serve. There are now 5,143 more people in the work force.
Private sector employers have also embraced the contributions of people with disabilities to their work force. Martin Electronics of Taylor County has a long-standing history of hiring and retaining employees with disabilities for decades. Their employees are a reliable and valuable part of the team. Jay Bradshaw has worked as a materials handler at Martin Electronics for over 12 years and according to his supervisor, Helen Blue, "He is one of the best employees I have. He works until the last possible minute and works overtime whenever I need him." Blue's comments about reliability, dedication, and drive are echoed by thousands of employers who have the same experience with workers with disabilities. The companies find that their return on investment is tremendous.
And there is more good news. APD and other agencies are working to prepare the next generation of those with disabilities to reach their goals. Kevin Mitz of Miami is in his second year at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mitz has cerebral palsy and needs personal assistance due to some physical limitations. His goal is to become an attorney. He received a full scholarship and ended his first year with a 3.6 grade point average. Mitz said, "I am really excited about the work I am doing, all that I am learning, and I feel especially lucky to be here." Mitz demonstrates that given the opportunity all people want to and can succeed.
Thank you to the Florida businesses that have made a commitment to hiring people with disabilities. The Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Blind Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Agency for Workforce Innovation are recognizing employers from throughout Florida in October for making a real difference in the lives of those with disabilities.
Please take the time to look at and appreciate others' abilities. When your company is hiring employees, remember to consider whether they can do the job, not other factors. Your organization will find it will reap the rewards.
Clicking on most photos will open a larger version.
A Hero to Others
By Kimberly Copley
Florida's former House Speaker Allan Bense made a special trip to Tallahassee on September 29 not for a political meeting, but to introduce a close personal friend to Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet. Bense was not shy about sharing his admiration for Bay County Property Appraiser Dan Sowell.
"He's my hero," said Bense.
When a compliment of such magnitude comes from a former house speaker, the recipient is truly one of heroic character.
Sowell took the podium in front of the governor and Cabinet after the glowing introduction from Speaker Bense. The former speaker discussed the context surrounding Sowell's election, reminding the audience of the tough competition from challengers and that he won the primary with 40 percent of the vote against three fierce opponents.
Sowell has cerebral palsy, a developmental disability. Regardless of whatever hardships or challenges he has faced as a result of his diagnosis, he resolved to become college-educated and skilled in his chosen profession. He became a licensed real estate agent to help him in his job at the Property Appraiser's Office. He worked at the office for 20 years before running for office. His election was a victory not just for his friends, family, and supporters, but for all individuals with disabilities.
"Employees with disabilities are dedicated, dependable, loyal, and hard working. They have a desire to exceed that is unsurpassed. I can assure you, people with disabilities don't want to go to their mailbox to get their pay. They want to contribute to a 401(k)," said Sowell of his fellow advocates in the disability community.
Sowell spoke of the assistance and help he received from state agencies, including the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). Bense mentioned Sowell's dedication to "helping others, because others have helped him his whole life."
After Sowell's remarks, he received a standing ovation from not only the members of the audience, but also from the governor and members of the Cabinet.
Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink sponsored a resolution recognizing October as Disability Employment Awareness Month, with this year's focus on supported employment opportunities.
Jim DeBeaugrine, APD director; Bill Palmer, VR director; Sue Homant, president of the Able Trust; and Bryan Vaughn, executive director of the Governor's Commission on Disabilities were all in attendance to thank the Cabinet for its support of Disability Employment Awareness Month and for honoring Sowell.
DeBeaugrine thanked the Cabinet, sharing that hiring individuals with disabilities "is not only the right thing to do, but the smart thing to do."
Employers to be Honored
Eight businesses from around the state that employ people with disabilities will be recognized on Thursday, October 1, at the annual Disability Employment Awareness event in Tallahassee. The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), Blind Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Agency for Workforce Innovation will present awards to the businesses that are committed to hiring and retaining people with disabilities.
October is Disability Employment Awareness Month, and the state is highlighting contributions of people with disabilities to the work force. The event will be in the Tallahassee City Commission Chambers, 300 S. Adams Street, from 9 to 10 a.m. The theme for the Florida celebration is Reach! Hire! The recognition ceremony is free and open to the public.
Tallahassee business owner Donna Smithey of In Tents Events will talk about the difference people with disabilities have made to her organization. Her employee, Michael Folsom, will share the importance of having an opportunity to show his talents on the job.
Tallahassee City Manager Anita Favors Thompson will welcome attendees. Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson will deliver remarks during the event. Representatives from the Able Trust will debut a statewide media campaign called "Look at My Abilities" featuring people with disabilities and their successes on the job. The state kickoff of Disability Mentoring Day activities in Florida will be announced.
The state of Florida will present the businesses with the Florida Exceptional Employer Award. The Florida Exceptional Employer Award is recognizing both the commitment of businesses in hiring and retaining people with disabilities and also creating unique employment opportunities.
Statewide and local employers will be recognized. Some of the winners are from Pensacola, Marianna, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, Key West, and West Palm Beach.
Follow the action of the events on APD's blog: http://apdcares.org/blog or follow us on Twitter at the APD official page: http://twitter.com/FloridaAPD
Director Speaks at ARF Conference
Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) Director Jim DeBeaugrine was a speaker at the Florida Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (ARF) Annual Meeting in Stuart, FL. The presentation on September 17 was to the full Florida ARF membership.
DeBeaugrine talked about the paperwork reduction efforts at APD and the new initiatives being discussed at meetings around the state (see "APD Holds Forums Statewide" in this issue of the Champion).
ARF President Suzanne Sewell wrote to DeBeaugrine, "Please be assured that the audience was extremely receptive to your message. Thank you for providing us with such valuable information."
Around the State
APD Holds Forums Statewide
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) Director Jim DeBeaugrine was well-received around the state as he hosted a series of meetings to discuss new initiatives affecting APD customers. DeBeaugrine made it a point to talk with interested parties about the new programs and make sure all their concerns were addressed.
Topics included the concept of individualized budgeting (iBudget Florida), the expansion of the Consumer-Directed Care Plus (CDC+) program, and the introduction of a flexible benefit, as well as updates on ongoing agency initiatives.
The seven forums were held on August 25 in Longwood, September 2 in Tallahassee, September 3 in Gainesville, September 14 in Miami Gardens, September 21 in Fort Myers, September 22 in Tampa, and September 29 in Pensacola. Each event was actually two meetings in one. An early afternoon session included information of interest to waiver support coordinators and providers. Another session later in the afternoon highlighted future agency programs of special interest to consumers and families. Both sessions in each city were open to the public.
If you were unable to attend any of the workshops and wish to submit written comments to the agency, please send them to:
Hilary BrazzellAPD Community Relations
4030 Esplanade Way, Suite 380
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Area 9 Holds Wait List Meeting
APD's Area 9 office in West Palm Beach recently held an informational forum for individuals who are on the agency's wait list for services and their families. Attendees totaled 138 people.
This very successful session was held at the Palm Beach County Therapeutic Recreation Center in Lake Worth. The August 27 event was sponsored by the Area 9 office and the Family Care Council.
Area 9 Administrator Gerry Driscoll welcomed the attendees and presented an overview of the agency's Initiatives. Driscoll also answered questions from individuals and families and gave them an opportunity to voice their concerns.
Speakers included staff members from the Department of Children and Families, who instructed families in how to access Medicaid services. Representatives of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation gave guidance on how to access supported employment and on-the-job training services. A Social Security benefits consultant from Gulfstream/Goodwill explained the various programs available within the federal Social Security Administration. Therapeutic Recreation Center employees presented information about the center's programs that are available to both children and adults.
Bradenton Kickoff for Disability Employment Awareness Month
APD's Suncoast Area office in Tampa is sponsoring a kick-off event for Disability Employment Awareness Month entitled "Paving the Way to Work, Live, and Succeed." The Suncoast Area Family Care Council and the Abilities Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Program are the co-sponsors.
The event will be held Saturday, October 3, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Church at Braden River, 5412 State Road 64 East in Bradenton. Topics will include transitioning from school to work or college, Vocational Rehabilitation, applying Social Security work incentives, the Manasota Business Leadership Network, the Ticket-to-Work Program, and assistive technology.
The event is open to the public and free of charge. For additional information or accommodation requests, contact Kimberly Houston at kimberly_houston@apd.state.fl.us or (813) 233-4326, or Valerie Reed-Martin at valerie_reed-martin@adp.state.fl.us or (813) 233-4325.
Disability Mentoring Day Kicks Off
Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) is an effort to promote career development for students and job seekers with disabilities through hands-on career exploration, on-site job shadowing, and ongoing mentoring. The annual event is held on the third Wednesday of October, which is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and is sponsored nationally by the American Association of People with Disabilities.
This year, DMD falls on October 21. But various organizations garner advance publicity by holding kick-off events. Florida's statewide DMD kickoff will occur during the Disability Employment Awareness celebration on October 1 in Tallahassee (see story in this issue of the Champion). Meanwhile, some regional kickoffs have already taken place around the state.
The Pinellas County DMD Kickoff was held September 24 at the Worknet Pinellas One Stop Center. Over 45 DMD mentees gathered to hear presentations from various community resource agencies.
"Mentees also received instructions on resume building, tips on interviewing, and what to expect on Disability Mentoring Day," according to Glorie Singleton of APD's Suncoast Area Office in Tampa.
Presenters included the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), Worknet Pinellas One Stop Center, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), University of South Florida, Job Star, and Work Incentives Planning and Assistance.
APD's Area 14 office and the Center for Independent Living (CIL) will be hosting Polk County's second DMD Kickoff early on the big day—October 21—from 8:30 until 9:30 a.m. at the University of South Florida's Technology Building in Lakeland.
"Publix will be hosting another continental breakfast this year," says Area 14's Jennifer Monje. "We will have goody bags for our mentees as well as mentors, and we will be having some amazing guest speakers at our event."
The scheduled speakers in Lakeland include VR Director Bill Palmer, Polk County Business Leadership Network (BLN) President Dick Pellegrini, and Able Trust Statewide DMD Coordinator Sally Ash.
For more information about the DMD program, visit: www.aapd.com/DMD
Support CILs with BBQ
By Jeff Saulich
Supporting people with disabilities can be as easy as having lunch. That's the case at Sonny's Bar-B-Q restaurants in the Florida panhandle. The Florida-based restaurant chain has partnered with the Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living for a very tasteful campaign to celebrate Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Every Monday in October, participating Sonny's restaurants will donate 10 percent of every receipt to the Centers for Independent Living in the Florida panhandle, when diners bring in copies of a special flyer.
It just so happens that a PDF version of the flyer accompanies this article. So click on the icon and print out as many flyers as you like. Then, on a Monday in October, visit a Sonny's Bar-B-Q in Pensacola, Panama City, Panama City Beach, Marianna, or Tallahassee and pig out for a very worthy cause.
By the way, you'll also be participating in a bit of APD history, because this is the first time that the Champion newsletter has included a coupon!
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ARC in the Park
By Subhash Vyas, Area 9 Contract Manager
The Arc of Palm Beach County is a community partner in Area 9 of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). The Arc provides programs that train and place people that APD serves in competitive employment. To celebrate its success, the town of Lake Park was the host of the second annual Arc in the Park event.
Festivities in the September 12 event included a parade from the Arc's Employment Services site to Kelsey Park located on the Intercoastal Waterway. APD customers, their families, Arc and APD employees, and community members walked in the parade. Motorcycles, fire trucks, and a police escort created an air of excitement. Lake Park residents lined the streets. Children received balloons as the crowd welcomed everyone in the parade.
At Kelsey Park, music and a disc jockey from the Arc's recreation program provided entertainment. Other highlights included face painting and refreshments. A variety of items were offered for sale, some of them made by students who attend the Arc's vocational training program.
The event was geared toward fun, encouragement, and building a community for all. Its success is due to support from the town of Lake Park, the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office, and APD's Area 9 office in West Palm Beach. A number of local businesses and civic groups joined as sponsors and participants.
APD Suncoast Hosts Art Show
The Suncoast Area Office of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) is hosting its Second Annual Art Show during October. The exhibit may be viewed at 1201 102nd Avenue North in St. Petersburg through October 31. The annual event honors local artists and their wonderful and inspiring creations. The artists include people with disabilities; their works of art are available for purchase.
A reception will be held at the same location on Friday, October 23 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., with an awards presentation to begin at 12:30 p.m. Admission is free.
For more information about the art show, contact Cheryl Blackwell-Cox at cheryl_blackwell-cox@apd.state.fl.us or (727) 217-7019.
Caring for a Cure
By Melanie Etters and Dana Cohen
Leila Hall is using her creative talents to help raise money for breast cancer research. Hall started her own small business making decorative wreaths two years ago. Hall's motivation was her sister who was diagnosed with breast cancer, and thankfully was able to battle it successfully. Hall donates money raised to the American Cancer Society.
In addition to her small business, Hall also works for the Alliance for Independence (AFI) in Lakeland, helping out where needed. Her job includes being a transportation driver, cashier at the snack bar, mobility assistant, and messenger.
"Leila does it all. She is dependable and all together absolutely wonderful," says Patrena Kilgore of AFI.
Hall is very enthusiastic about her work and enjoys it. "The best part of working is earning my paycheck", says Hall.
"Leila is always upbeat and encouraging everyone at AFI", says Kilgore. "She is a valued employee who greatly appreciates every opportunity that she has."
Last year, Hall received the Supported Employee of the Year award from the Florida Association of People in Supported Employment. This was given to her for her hard work at AFI and her wreath business. Hall hopes to stay working at AFI in the future, and also keep her small wreath business running to support the fight against breast cancer.
Florida Tech to Host Autism Conference
One child in 150 in the U.S. is born with autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Addressing the need to understand autism, the Florida Institute of Technology School of Psychology and the Scott Center for Autism Treatment will host its third annual Autism Conference, "The Power and Potential of Communication," on November 6, followed by a series of workshops on November 7.
The conference in Melbourne will feature noted autism experts speaking on a variety of related topics. Educators, providers, and families will find support in developing effective educational and therapeutic programs for all individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
For more information, visit http://411.fit.edu/autismconference or call (321) 674-8104.
Florida Awarded ADRC Grant
Florida has been awarded the 2009 Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) expansion grant from the U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA).
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) collaborated with the Department of Elder Affairs and local partners in APD's Suncoast Area in applying for the grant, which totals as much as $750,000 over a three-year period.
"This grant presents a wonderful opportunity to develop long-term strategies for addressing the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities during the later transitional periods of life," said APD Chief of Staff Tamara Demko.
Transitional periods may occur for individuals over 50 years of age whose needs change when they exit the work force or have aging caregivers.
The proposal expands the disability population served by one of the existing ADRCs and transitions one of the current Aging Resource Centers (ARC) to a fully functioning ADRC. The goals include strengthening current ADRC efforts by expanding the target population of people with disabilities served by the ADRC in the St. Petersburg area to include persons with developmental disabilities.
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