Message from the Director
Think Green
By Jim DeBeaugrine, Director
Swanzetta Green is quite a woman. She made a huge impact this week at the Florida Cabinet meeting. Green addressed Governor Charlie Crist and members of the Florida Cabinet about her work as an accounts receivable clerk at the United Way of the Big Bend. Her remarks were in recognition of October as Disability Employment Awareness Month. Green has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair for mobility. She is the mother of two children, and owns her own home in Leon County.
Green's boss looked at her abilities, not limitations, when selecting her eight years ago to fill the position. October is the time of year to remind business owners and human resource managers to look at each person's capabilities.
The ability to feel like you are contributing to a common goal is something everyone values. There are more than 3 million people in Florida with disabilities. About 60 percent of those individuals want the opportunity to earn a paycheck. As director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, I learn about capable people with disabilities who have not gotten their chance to shine in the workplace. I also hear about open-minded employers committed to their employees.
I thank businesses in Florida that have hired people with disabilities. The Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Blind Services, and Vocational Rehabilitation are recognizing seven employers from throughout Florida on October 1 for hiring individuals with disabilities. The public celebration will be at Tallahassee City Commission Chambers, 300 South Adams Street, at 9:30 a.m. Come if you would like to learn more about diversifying your work force.
When your company is ready to add someone to its payroll, remember to tap the talent in this currently untapped pool of qualified employees. You will be glad you did.
Clicking on most photos will open a larger version.
Cabinet Recognizes Disability Employment Awareness Month
An individual receiving services from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Swanzetta Green, spoke before Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet on September 28 on the importance of including people with disabilities in the work force. Green, who has cerebral palsy, has worked for the United Way of the Big Bend for eight years.
Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink introduced the Cabinet resolution declaring October as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Florida. The meeting was held in the Cabinet room of the Capitol Building.
Along with Green, the Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities Jim DeBeaugrine addressed the meeting on the importance of employment for all citizens. Other disability leaders there to accept the resolution were: Bill Palmer, Director of Vocational Rehabilitation; John Clarkson, Deputy Director of Blind Services; and Dr. Sue Homant, President and CEO of the Able Trust.
Leon County Launches Project SEARCH
By Jeff Saulich
Leon County officials and community partners including APD held an open house for the county's new Project SEARCH program, in its new home in the recently renovated Courthouse Annex in Tallahassee. The Project SEARCH classroom in the completely modernized facility was packed with participants, family members, caregivers, and partner representatives on September 23.
APD External Affairs Supervisor J.R. Harding, Ed.D., was credited with getting the ball rolling for the program to be adopted in Leon County. Speakers at the gathering included Leon County Commission Chairman Bob Rackleff, Leon County School Superintendent Jackie Pons, and Harding.
Project SEARCH is a national employment program designed to help high school students with disabilities to gain work experience, be competitive, and transition into full-time work. Its activities take place in a business setting, where learning happens through total immersion in the workplace. The program's goal is job placement for its participants.
"The benefits to the county are two-fold," said Leon County Administrator Parwez Alam. "We receive qualified and dedicated interns to assist our very busy staff and to increase workflow, and Leon County citizens acquire experienced professionals within their work force."
Twelve high school students are currently enrolled in the local program, which operates through a partnership between the Leon County Board of County Commissioners, Leon County Schools, Opportunity Services, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and APD.
New Help for Group Homes
To be better prepared during disasters, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) has partnered with the Department of Health and the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) for the expansion of the Emergency Status System (ESS) to include APD residential facilities. The ESS system will allow APD to have better location information for people living in group homes in case of disaster.
This expansion will assist emergency management partners by providing a single repository of emergency-related information to coordinate a statewide emergency response. ESS was designed to be used during an emergency to also track the status of providers and to identify needs so that assistance can be obtained expeditiously. Basic functions of the system include the ability to find a specific provider, record a contact involving that provider, and record details of the contact related to damage, need for assistance, evacuation, and special medical needs of customers.
Around the State
New Area 13 Administrator
Clarence Lewis has been promoted to Area Administrator of APD's Area 13 office in Wildwood. Lewis was a unit supervisor in the area office for several years, and also had worked for the Department of Children and Families. He comes to the new position with a wealth of knowledge about programs for people with developmental disabilities. Lewis replaces David Johnston, who recently retired.
Full Speed Ahead with A Shred Ahead
By Michael Cardello
APD customer Jorge Jaime had a great mentoring opportunity on July 19 thanks to A Shred Ahead. The document shredding company contracts with APD sites in Miami and Palmetto Bay. A Shred Ahead employee Manasse St. Fleur worked with Jaime while providing explanations of the shredding operations and the collection of discarded materials for shredding within APD's Area 11 office in Miami.
Jaime was an enthusiastic and diligent worker. He enjoyed the experience and developed a rapport with St. Fleur, as the accompanying photo shows. After all collections were made, they transported the materials in sacks down to the shredding truck. Jaime observed the shredding operations through a computerized monitor on the side of the truck.
The president of the company, Tom Hanlon, likes to describe the truck as their "Big Tonka Toy." This experience was made especially meaningful by the fact that Hanlon was eager to provide this mentoring experience well before the official Disability Mentoring Day on October 20. The company felt so positive about the experience that it plans to repeat it on a regular basis in Area 11.
A Shred Ahead, headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, is the largest independent shredding company in the South, serving customers throughout seven states.
Director Participates in Miami Wellness Day
APD's Area 11 office in Miami was proud to participate in the 7th Annual Back-to-School Wellness Day, hosted by Rep. Yolly Roberson (D–North Miami Beach). Families and students received a wealth of information on the different services available in Miami-Dade County at the August 7 event, along with physical check ups and school supplies.
APD Director Jim DeBeaugrine was a special guest speaker. He shared valuable information to attendees and was very responsive to their questions. He and Area 11 Administrator Evelyn Alvarez gave special attention to the members of the Haitian community who were present.
APD's Area 11 office continues to participate and host community outreach activities such as this one, to ensure that the public is informed and has access to the agency.
Suncoast Hosts Disability History Timeline
APD's Suncoast Area office in Tampa had the distinct honor of hosting the Disability History Timeline Exhibit for the week of September 13 through 19. The traveling exhibit, entitled, "Then and Now—20 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act," is an illustrated timeline which portrays the history of individuals with disabilities.
The display consists of 22 panels, providing a wonderful opportunity to view the accomplishments of individuals with disabilities and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Area staff members held an unveiling ceremony on Tuesday, September 14, to present the display to the community. The disability history exhibit was produced by Advocates Coming Together (ACT) of St. Paul, Minnesota.
Children Enjoy Common Ground
Lakeland has a fabulous park dedicated to children of all abilities having access to fun. The facility called Common Ground Park has been bringing smiles to young people’s faces for about two years.
On September 17, the location played host to a Milk and Cookies Pack the Park Party hosted by Publix Supermarkets and the Children’s Movement of Florida. Area 14 Deputy Administrator Jeanette Estes and Communications Director Melanie Etters stopped by the event. Hundreds of children and adults truly packed the park. There were costumed characters that the kids posed with for photos. Face painting and creating balloon shaped items were also very popular with the children.
Rolling a Strike on the Job
By Melanie Mowry Etters
Ginny Reed is making a positive contribution to the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) office in Gainesville each day. Reed works part-time as a clerk at APD. Her responsibilities include filing, copying, mailing, and greeting customers that enter the building. She takes pride in doing her work independently, but enjoys being part of an office work force.
"I like my job. I also like to be with people and to talk with them," says Reed, who has a developmental disability.
Reed's supervisor, Cynthia Tyson, says, "Ginny does anything we ask her to do. She is an excellent worker, always very thorough. Her work is accurate every time."
Tyson says Reed is always asking for more work to do after completing an assignment. "I like to keep busy," says Reed.
- Cynthia Tyson,
supervisor
Gainesville Area Administrator Jim Smith says, "Ginny is one of our most dependable employees. She cheerfully helps to keep our files in order or greets people at the front desk. We count on her to do a number of tasks, and she always delivers."
Reed is proud of her own office and likes to decorate it. Co-workers say she keeps it meticulous. Reed has two professional goals to enhance her career. She wants to learn how to operate a computer and the phone system, so she can become an APD receptionist who runs the front desk. She hopes for a long-term career at APD.
In describing Reed, Tyson says, "She's a valued employee."
Reed enjoys music, dancing, and going to the movies. She is also passionate about bowling. She competes in bowling in the Special Olympics and has won several first place ribbons in the sport.
A Glee-ful Arc Convention
Two celebrities with disabilities will be honored at The Arc's National Convention, November 4 through 6 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Actresses Lauren Potter and Robin Trocki of the "Glee" TV show will accept The Arc's Inclusion and Image Award in recognition of their achievements in breaking down barriers, increasing awareness, and challenging stereotypes in television programming.
Trocki plays Jean, the sister of coach Sue Sylvester, played by Jane Lynch. Trocki, who has Down syndrome, is pivotal in the show's storyline in understanding the coach's hidden positive qualities as the show's lead character and nemesis. Through Trocki's portrayal of Jean, who lives in a residential home for people with disabilities, viewers of "Glee" experience a personal perspective on relationships between siblings and on independent living.
Potter plays Becky Jackson, a special education student with Down syndrome who is accepted onto the cheerleading team. "Glee" underscores inclusion for people with disabilities; the coach treats Becky like she treats every other cheerleader, pushing her to her absolute limits, never once going easy on her because of her condition.
Visit http://www.thearc.org/page.aspx?pid=2650 for more information about The Arc's National Convention.
Think Inside the Box
A new state law makes it easy to support several charities, including The Arc of Florida. Starting on October 1, motor vehicle registration and driver license applications and renewal forms in Florida will have check boxes, giving the user an easy way to make a voluntary donation of $1 to The Arc of Florida.
Deaf Culture Contributed to Baseball?
Where did baseball hand signals come from? A new feature-length documentary explores this question.
"Signs of the Time" tells the tale of William Ellsworth Hoy, a player who was profoundly deaf. He started his career playing centerfield for Oshkosh in 1986. Unable to understand the verbal calls of the umpire, Hoy developed a system of hand signals that his third-base coach could use while Hoy was at bat. With a glance, Hoy understood whether the pitch was a ball or a strike. Hoy was admired by teammates, revered by fans, and became the most celebrated deaf player in baseball history.
However, historians generally credit William Klem, a well-known umpire in the early 1900s, with developing a system of arm signals.
The film explores the controversy surrounding Hoy's lack of recognition and the debate over who invented baseball signs through interviews with the legends of the game. Visit http://www.signsofthetimemovie.com for more information about the documentary.
Melanie Mowry Etters - Editor
Jeff Saulich - Photo Editor
Lloyd Harger - Web Development