Employment First: Kickoff Event Highlights Changing Expectations for People with Developmental Disabilities

  • September 13, 2013
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Summary: Change is coming for the thousands of individuals with developmental disabilities in the state of Ohio; the Employment First initiative hopes to provide those able to work a more secure future. As a father of an autistic son, it has always been the goal of Kevin Miller, Director of the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission to open doors of opportunity for those with disabilities. “We want to eliminate barriers,” said Miller at the Employment First Kickoff event held on Sept. 10 at the Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities Service and Support Center in New Philadelphia. “As a father, I always identify with the moms and dads of children with disabilities and that the stories of the struggles they’ve been through are not repeated.” The focus of Employment First is to make community employment the preferred outcome for individuals with developmental disabilities. “It’s really about a change in thinking. You can’t get to this point overnight,” said Miller referring to many once progressive ideas in the field of serving those with disabilities that now seem natural such as mainstreaming in schools and sheltered workshops. “Ohio is at the forefront and it is our job to make sure that those who have been living in the shadows no longer stay there.” Having a job is about a change in attitude for those with disabilities too. “A job gives you independence and helps you buy stuff that makes you feel cool,” said John Martin, Director of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, as he told the humorous story of one of his first jobs as a teenager which enabled him to buy a Nehru jacket, something his parents would have never bought for him. Martin thanked those who have been involved with Imagine, a new program which supports Employment First by streamlining the process to get people with disabilities the services that are important to help them succeed in life. “We will not be successful with this initiative without a broad group of people working together,” Martin added. Jamie Hoy, a person with disabilities who owns his own business, provided a fascinating perspective on the Employment First initiative as he used his communication device to speak to the crowd. “It makes me happier to be working. I didn’t work for quite a while because I couldn’t find an employer who would hire me,” said Hoy. “I like to work. I physically and emotionally feel better when I am working.” Though having a business has its ups and downs, Hoy said his business, Jamie’s Custom Cutting in Coshocton, has opened many doors. “I have gotten to know people in the community that I would not have otherwise. They recognize me when I come in as a business owner. It is a good feeling to be recognized by other business people. They treat me as a professional and not like a person with any disability.” There are some things that a person with disabilities can only learn on the job. Lu Ann Beavers-Willis noted that her son, Grant Willis, who has some problems with his knee, didn’t believe he needed to wear a knee brace at work. “He is the typical teenager. He had to experience it for himself a couple of times. He had to learn by trial and error,” said Beavers-Willis adding that Grant always wears the brace to work now. Natalie Lupi, Superintendent of the Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities, hosted the program. Also speaking were State Representative Al Landis; Steve Oster, Superintendent of the Coshocton and Knox County Boards of Developmental Disabilities, and Community employment guest speakers, Grant Willis and Hoy’s mother, Connie Bullens. Miller feels the Employment First initiative will be successful. “We have to keep one thing in mind; we are doing this for the individuals.”


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