Life is Better for Lakeland Man
Things are looking up for Collin Cox. He has earned high marks
from his supervisor at a local Goodwill Industries store, where he has worked
for more than five years. About a year ago, he got his own apartment for the
first time in his life.
Cox has a developmental disability and receives services from the Florida
Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). During October, which is National
Disability Employment Awareness Month, Florida's Agency for Persons with
Disabilities (APD) is celebrating the lives of Floridians like Cox who are
participating members of their communities.
Lori Reid, the adult day training site supervisor at the Goodwill store, has
watched Cox grow into a responsible employee. She credits the experience of
being employed as a key factor in his personal growth.
"He is a very good employee," Reid said. "He has gone from being a jokester
who would hide and play around to somebody that we can rely on to follow
through on the tasks that we give him."
According to Reid, Cox knows all the jobs in the store and does them all well.
But his favorite job is cashier, because he gets to talk with the customers.
"When I give them their money, I say 'Thank you' and 'Have a nice day' and
stuff like that," said Cox.
Cox is enjoying the satisfaction of having his own apartment, which he keeps
very clean and orderly. He is enjoying the freedom of being on his own, but he
also takes his responsibilities seriously.
"I get to do anything I want," Cox said. "And I pay my bills on time."
As his supervisor, Reid is impressed with Cox's dependability and positive
attitude.
"Collin does not call in sick," Reid stated. "We can count on him to be here
and do his job every single day. He follows his work schedule very well. When
it's time to open up the store, he's here and ready to go."
Cox is not the only person with a disability that Reid has hired or
supervised. As an experienced employer, Reid urges her counterparts in other
industries to consider hiring people with disabilities.
"Definitely give it a try," Reid said. "They have not let me down at all.
They try hard. You can count on them to do a really good job, with a very good
work ethic."
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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