APD > Special to the Democrat

Tallahassee Democrat -- October 15, 2009
http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20091015/BUSINESS/910150327/1003

Student turns passion for art into a vocation

Ian Millican's voice may be softened by autism, but his art speaks volumes. The work is intensely colorful and full of whimsy.

"It is the path he uses to articulate feelings that are hard to express," his mother, Terry Millican, explains.

Ian is crafting his artistic flair into a thriving business, and learning to use his talents for more than just an emotional outlet. With the help of caring parents and partners such as Florida's Agency for Persons with Disabilities, he's been in training to turn his love of art into his own small business, Ian's ArTs.

As an entrepreneur in the Start-Up-Florida project, Millican received assistance in discovering his professional strengths and completing his business plan. He puts his designs on T-shirts and other display items. His artwork is on shirts in Florida schools and church organizations. An Ian's ArTs Web site is in the making and due out soon.

October is Disability Employment Awareness Month. APD is highlighting the contributions of Millican and others with disabilities to the work force.

As a high school senior, Millican's difficult road is made a little easier by great friends and a strong support system. A typical teenager in many ways, "Ian loves sleeping in, Web surfing, and cartoon animation," Terry Millican said. Disney is a personal favorite. Art sales and giving PowerPoint presentations are part of his business marketing strategy.

Millican's immediate business goal is pure and simple – he would like to earn enough money to purchase Disney World annual passes for himself and his sister. He hopes to save enough money over the next several months to accomplish this important objective.

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.