APD > Special to the Democrat

Tallahassee Democrat -- October 19, 2009
http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20091019/NEWS01/910190312/1001/RSS

Wal-Mart worker's attitude makes difference

Ruth Ogburn could not be happier with her job. "It's about the best job in the world. I like everything about it," she says.

Ogburn, who has a developmental disability, has been employed at a Tallahassee Wal-Mart since 1993. October is Disability Employment Awareness Month and Florida's Agency for Persons with Disabilities is highlighting the contributions that people with disabilities make to the work force.

"Ruth's an awesome person and a great worker. She'll do anything asked of her, and with enthusiasm. She knows her job responsibilities and does them without supervision," said JoAnn Mullarkey, Ogburn's co-worker and mentor.

Ogburn's primary tasks are unpacking clothing, discarding the boxes and plastic wrap the garments are shipped in, keeping the dressing rooms and bathrooms neat and emptying the trash bins.

"She's an important part of our team," Mullarkey said. "Plus, she's fun to be around."

The store's assistant manager, Tommie Beth Willis, agreed. "Ruth's upbeat personality projects the company's image. She has a special quality that makes it easy for her to follow Wal-Mart's 10-foot rule."

The 10-foot rule states that any time a Wal-Mart associate comes within 10 feet of a customer or another associate, the employee is to speak to the person — either exchange a pleasantry or offer help.

"Ruth never had to be taught the rule. She does it naturally, and always with a smile," Willis said.

Although Ogburn has, for the most part, been able to maintain her job without the assistance of a job coach, there have been occasions in which she has needed a little help to learn new skills or polish her job performance. When this happens, the APD pays for a job coach to provide training and support on a temporary basis. APD also funds a supported living coach to assist Ogburn with tasks such as grocery shopping and bill paying so she can live independently in her apartment.

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.