Fort Myers Woman Is Award Winner
Carol Sue Harris has been happily employed for ten years and has
the plaque to prove it. The Fort Myers woman is diagnosed with 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 Harris who have careers and fulfilling lives.
The Fort Myers Mayor's Alliance recently presented Harris with an employment
award for 10 years of service at a Lee County McDonald's restaurant. The
Mayor's Alliance also presented an Employer Award to the manager of the
restaurant, Mack Tibbet, for being a valuable employment resource for people
with disabilities.
Harris helps people have a good dining experience at McDonald's. She works
about 20 hours a week and is one of the restaurant's best lobby attendants.
She is responsible for keeping the dining room clean, making sure that
customers have plenty of condiments available, and for janitorial duties.
Harris originally obtained her job at McDonald's through the supported
employment services provided by LARC, Inc., and funded by APD. LARC
worked with her at its Adult Day Training program during the mid-1990s, and then
successfully placed her at McDonald's in 1998. LARC is one of Lee County's
oldest organizations providing services to citizens with developmental
disabilities.
Judy Peek, a LARC job coach, has been working with Harris for the past several
years. Peek visits the restaurant once a week to observe Harris' work
performance, provide feedback, and to help her with new skills that might be
needed for her job.
"Carol Sue is well liked by her co-workers and customers," said Peek. "She has
been so thrilled about her award, which I understand is framed and hanging in
her bedroom."
Peek noted that Tibbet is equally pleased with his Employer Recognition Award
from the Mayor's Alliance. His framed employer award is prominently exhibited
in the McDonald's lobby area. Tibbet has known Harris ever since she was hired
10 years ago.
"Carol Sue does a great job for us at McDonald's," Tibbet said. "She knows all
our regular customers and greets them with a smile. We are glad to have her
working with us."
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 www.apdcares.org or call toll-free 1- 866-APD-CARES (1-866-273-2273).
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