Innovation Drives Inclusion Employment Conference Held in the Northwest Region

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) partnered with Project Empower of Northwest Florida and the Empowerment Parent Resource Center to sponsor an event for the students of Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties and the community on October 27 at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church in Pensacola.

Employers who participated included Lowe’s store #1142, Lowe’s store #2715, Salera Helping Hands, Escambia County, TJ Maxx, Landrum Human Resources, Lakeview Special Populations, Emerald Coast Utility Authority, CareerSource Escarosa, Center for Independent Living and Global Connections to Employment. These employers provided each interested student three mock interviews and feedback to share with their teachers or coaches. Five Vocational Rehabilitation counselors assisted with interviewing and timing to keep the activity flowing within the time limits. Dr. Chrissy Ogilvie with the Florida State University (FSU) Center for Autism Related Disabilities (CARD) provided a Human Bingo Exercise where participants could discover new things about each other.

Lavesta Feagin with the Gulf Coast Regional Demonstration Center showcased the assistive technology equipment that is available and how to get it if needed.  The Supervisor of Elections Office brought their newest voting machines so that 121 students could vote on their favorite automaker (Chevrolet), college (University of Florida), fast food (McDonald’s), president (Obama), music (country), sport (football), and school subject (P.E.). Lisa Drew and Ronnie Rivera with Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast brought a Money Blaster Booth and a Money Trap jar giving individuals an opportunity to catch dollar bills and learn about the value of money. Eunicia Giuchici with the Children’s Home Society (CHS) of Florida Youth Works developed a “Price is Right” hygiene product game where students learned about the importance of good hygiene and were given opportunities to win the products on display.

Angela Walden with Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) brought a bus so each student could get on the bus and learn about riding public transportation. Katrina Washington, APD state office, developed an employment presentation using APD employees Tomeko Lee, Chris Feelings, and Octavius Jackson to teach the students tools for becoming employed and maintaining that employment. Success stories were shared.

Information on ABLE United accounts was given to the students. ABLE United accounts are savings accounts that individuals with disabilities can save up to $14,000 per calendar year without having any effect on Medicaid benefits. For more information, go to http://www.ableunited.com/.

Finally, Carolyn Sutton with Express Employment and Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast provided a Business Fashion Show during lunch. Goodwill Easter Seals provided the clothing for the fashion show along with sharing the cost of the items. Sutton showcased each individual as they walked around the room. The students were given tools to move forward on exploring employment opportunities.

From left to right: Katrina Washington, Tracy Davis, Tomeko Lee, Annette Zeeb, Chris Feelings, and Octavius Jackson.


Carol Thomas with Lowe’s interviewing a student.


Andre Lewis modeling his suit.


Debron Johnson modeling his suit.