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Lakeland Woman Sings in Sign Language

LAKELAND, FL - Brittnie Harvey has a steady job, does volunteer work, and dreams of having her own business. The Lakeland woman also happens to have a developmental disability. During October, which is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Florida’s Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) is putting the spotlight on Floridians like Harvey who have careers and fulfilling lives.

Harvey is diagnosed with Down syndrome, which can cause cognitive disabilities. She receives services from APD such as support coordination and in-home services to enable her to work and live in her community. With support from APD, as well as her family, Harvey has been working for Publix Supermarkets for over five years. For the past four years, she has been a front service clerk at a Publix store in Lakeland.

"Brittnie bags groceries, helps customers to their cars, and collects carts from the parking lot," says Amy Williams, the store's assistant customer service manager and Harvey's supervisor. "She's a great employee, always on time and always willing to do anything she is asked to do. Brittnie is respectful of co-workers and customers, and she's very friendly."

Harvey has developed the unique talent of interpreting songs with sign language as a way to bring smiles to the faces of people who might feel that they've been overlooked by society. She volunteers her services to group homes, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.

"We even invited her to a recent meeting to sign a song and share some of her successes with us," says Jennifer Monje of APD's Area 14 office in Lakeland. "All of us were so proud and pleased with her performance. She was the talk of the day!"

Harvey hopes to start her own business with her performances and has business cards printed and ready to go. But she vows that she will continue to work at Publix, no matter what. Now, that's commitment! Harvey also has a goal of living on her own, and is learning the skills she will need such as cooking and cleaning.

In Harvey's words, "My mom always tells me that I can do anything I want to with just a little extra work."

APD supports people with developmental disabilities to live, learn, and work in their communities. For more information about the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, visit apd.myflorida.com or call toll-free 1-866-APD-CARES (1-866-273-2273).

REMINDER FOR MEDIA---When reporting on stories about people with disabilities, remember to use language that puts the person first, rather than the disability. For example, use phrases such as "persons with disabilities" (instead of "the disabled") and "person who uses a wheelchair" (rather than "wheelchair bound").