Outstanding Employers!

Congratulations to our most recently named Outstanding Employers. They all have demonstrated sustained efforts to support and encourage Morningside clients. They have also shown the flexibility to make accommodations when necessary which translates into productive and valued employees. All four of our Outstanding Employers, including Petco in West Olympia (featured in the last newsletter issue), will be honored at the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at St. Martin's Worthington Center. Please join us, and the business community, on that day in saluting these wonderful employers and their efforts on behalf of people with disabilities!

Washington Department of Personnel Outstanding Employer

Since many DOP documents were upgraded to an electronic format this year one of Curtis’ main job assignments, purging and shredding old documents, became unnecessary. In response, Suzie, his supervisor, and other co-workers on Curtis’ team, brainstormed what tasks could be added to Curtis’ job. They created a completely new and updated schedule for Curtis which includes more computer tasks and more responsibility within DOP. Curtis’ team supervisor, Teresa Dillon, also suggested that Curtis move his desk from the stockroom in the basement (where his purging and shredding were located) to a cubicle upstairs on the second floor where his co-workers are located. The change means Curtis now attends meetings with his team so he knows what is going on within the DOP and is current with all DOP events. Way to go DOP!

Office of Deaf & Hard of Hearing Outstanding Employer

Lucas Doelman has worked at the Division of Deaf and the Hard of Hearing for seven years. As his supervisor, Kelly Robison, has been there to support and assist Lucas in not only being successful but growing with his job. Kelly has modified tasks when necessary so Lucas can complete his assignments independently, ensured Lucas is a participating member of the team, and is always looking for additional duties for Lucas including ways he can practice his leadership skills. Kelly has also been a big part of Lucas’ success with his Toastmasters Club. She has supported him by assisting with the research for speech topics as well as giving feedback on how the speeches were delivered. Recently Lucas received the Distinguished Toastmaster Award and, of course, Kelly was there to congratulate him!

American Maid – Outstanding Employer

Though working for American Maid for only seven months Dan Wilcox feels like he’s always been there! His employers identified the challenging areas which kept Dan from working by himself and were willing to limit his duties to build up his confidence before moving forward. A change in the routine of cleaning buildings worked well to accommodate Dan’s evening shift. To support Dan, this is the only building worked by a team which means Dan has support nearby as he works. Terri and Lisa, of Dan’s American Maid team, encourage his independence by focusing on his use of a pictorial task list rather than relying on verbal direction. Dan’s development is gently shaped by his two mentors and he is learning one new task at a time as he is ready. This great success is a result of American Maid's willingness to change its regular procedures and not focus on Dan’s challenges but rather look to his strengths as areas to develop.

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