Recognizing Exceptional Abilities for 17 Years

By Director Barbara Palmer

The state of Florida will recognize 12 outstanding businesses during the month of October that are truly making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. These groundbreaking employers embrace diversity by hiring individuals with disabilities to work alongside workers without disabilities.

October is Disability Employment Awareness Month in Florida. This is when our state and the nation focus on job opportunities for people with disabilities.

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), Vocational Rehabilitation, Blind Services, and other organizations will gather in Tallahassee to recognize Florida employers who have shown their commitment to hiring people with disabilities. The Exceptional Employer Awards event is another opportunity for the state to acknowledge businesses that are doing good things.

APD serves people with developmental disabilities who are charting their own course. They are earning an income and contributing tax dollars to the state.

Millions of people flock to SeaWorld in Orlando to enjoy marine animals, roller coasters, and themed restaurants like Sharks Underwater Grill and Seafire Grill. Erin Maciarz has worked 26 years at the park as a food service attendant and says she still loves every minute of it. “It’s been my dream job. I love SeaWorld, I love the people and helping the customers.”

Maciarz currently works lunch service at the Seafire Grill. Her duties include wiping down tables, gathering trays, refreshing the condiment stand, sweeping floors, and attending to any customer needs.

SeaWorld is a past Exceptional Employer Award winner and has long been an employer that helps individuals with disabilities realize their true potential and lead more independent lives. Restaurant supervisor Jerrol Duncan says Erin is always like a ray of sunshine to his team.

“Erin is a pleasure to work with. She’s very enthusiastic and positive when she comes to work,” Duncan said. “She loves coming to work and everyone here loves working with her.”

Michael Gavila of Miami Springs is a shining example of how one person can make an impact in a variety of ways.

Gavila has been employed with the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD) in Coral Gables for almost 20 years.

As a file clerk with UM-NSU CARD, Gavila handles many office tasks ranging from filing to shredding documents. One of his tasks is to scan documents into the center’s digital storage files. It’s an important task that Gavila is happy to do.

“I like working and I like my job,” said Gavila. “I like getting up early and getting to go to work and be social,” he added.

“Michael is a great team player and is receptive to learning new tasks,” said Gavila’s supervisor Jennifer Durocher. “Michael is socially motivated and always interacts with staff.”

One can’t help but smile as they walk through the door at Rise and Nye’s in Sarasota. The fresh smell of coffee and baked goods may bring you in, but employees are what keep people coming back for more.

Kristi Stadler is one of over 35 people employed by Rise and Nye’s. She has been with them since they opened in December 2020. Stadler said, “I love everything about my job! I love to help at the register, scoop ice cream, bake beignets, clean, all of it! I just really love my job”.

“Kristi is always early. She clocks in and out at her exact times. She is a versatile employee, which is great because she can fill in at any position. Kristi is so capable. She has built relationships with customers, and they come in when they know she will be here. It’s so great to see,” said Rise and Nye’s co-founder Beaver Shriver.

Rise and Nye’s goes above and beyond to support its employees with disabilities. It is one of the 12 companies that will be honored in October in Tallahassee.

Every person wants a chance to succeed. We would like more companies willing to offer jobs to individuals with unique abilities. APD and other programs are here to help your organization and the individual achieve success. We want your business to have dedicated and dependable employees like Erin, Michael, and Kristi, too.



Erin Maciarz


Kristi Stadler and Beaver Shriver


Michael Gavila