APD > Special to the Democrat

Tallahassee Democrat -- October 16, 2009
http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20091016/BUSINESS/910160332/1003/RSS02

Senical builds career on service

"A hard worker" is how Assistant Customer Service Manager Marcia Johnson describes Wendy Senical.

A full-time front service clerk at a Publix supermarket in Key West, Senical has a developmental disability. After five years on the job, she is still enthusiastic about her work. "I like what I do. I love the people here," she says.

Senical's job duties include bagging groceries, assisting customers to their cars, and retrieving carts from the parking lot. She has moved up from part-time work to full-time employment with benefits – an achievement she relishes.

"I am proud of myself, actually," she says.

October is Disability Employment Awareness Month. Florida's Agency for Persons with Disabilities is highlighting the contributions of people with disabilities to the work force.

"Wendy does a real good job," Johnson said. "She is friendly and greets customers. She works as hard as anyone else. She does not let her disability get in the way, absolutely not. If I had about 10 more employees just like her, it would be good."

Getting to work was also an important accomplishment. "It is significant that Wendy learned to use public transportation to go to and from work and to her other appointments in town," said Alan Roman, APD support coordinator.

Senical says her paycheck goes in the bank; however, she does help her mother out with household expenses. She hopes to stay with Publix for her entire career, noting it is good to work for the company.

APD supports people with developmental disabilities to live, learn and work in their communities. The agency annually serves about 35,000 Floridians with developmental disabilities. For more information about the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, visit APDcares.org.