Bay County Celebrates DMD

By Carol Negrin, Bay District Schools Employment Specialist

On October 18, Bay County celebrated Disability Employment Awareness Month and Disability Mentoring Day (DEAM/DMD). Approximately 85 students and adults with disabilities participated in job shadowing at a business of their choice. They learned what jobs each business offers, job expectations, and what qualifications are needed to secure and keep the job.

Publix, Olive Garden, and Able Trust are national sponsors of DEAM/DMD, and provided the luncheon meal and other necessary expenses. Red Lobster donated their delicious cheddar biscuits, and Taziki's donated some fresh salads. Sam's provided decorated cupcakes. Drinks were provided by Coca-Cola.

This is the tenth year that Bay County has participated in this event. All the mentees come back with knowledge of a job that they either liked or disliked. These experiences are all a part of the process of finding the right employment fit for each participant. Some of these experiences have even turned into job offers! 

Businesses that hosted mentees this year are as follows: Sam's Club, EEC, Olive Garden, Walmart, BDS maintenance, Publix, Banfield, Humane Society Shelter, Gulf World, Bill Cramer Chevrolet, DRC, PetSmart, Goodwill, Panama City Fire Department, Cindy's, Sonny's, Red Lobster, Glen Cove, Sequence Fitness, Planet Fitness, Centennial Bank, Vinny & Bays, Taziki's, TJ Maxx, Mowat/MS, Channel 13 WMBB, and Forest Park Animal Hospital.

A big shout-out to all the participating businesses, national sponsors, and ARC of the Bay for sharing its new kitchen and beautiful staff for this event. A lot of hard work was put in by all to make this day a success and reality in 2017! 

Approximately 85 students and adults with disabilities participated in job shadowing at a business of their choice.