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Clarke thrives in art school cafeteria

SARASOTA — The Ringling School of Art and Design is known for beautiful paintings in its gallery and teaching budding artists to improve their skills.

When it is time for students to recharge their batteries with a delicious meal, they head to the cafeteria on campus where they may find Katie Clarke serving dinner or in the back washing up the day's dishes.

Clarke has developmental disabilities and is a customer of Florida's Agency for Persons with Disabilities. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, when APD and other agencies highlight the contributions of people with disabilities to the workforce.

Clarke enjoys the opportunity to interact with the students. "My favorite part of the job is when I get to fill in for servers in the cafeteria," she said. Her primary duty is being a dishwasher, which she has done for 13 years.

"Katie is a great worker, has a wonderful sense of humor and is someone who truly enjoys her job. Having Katie in the kitchen has made a real difference," said executive chef Steve Sidway.

Although Clarke uses public transportation, she is consistently at work on time and does not miss her shift five days a week.

When not working, Clarke attends the Suncoast Center for Independent Living, where she is learning office skills such as typing.

APD supports people with developmental disabilities to live, learn and work in their communities. The agency annually serves about 50,000 Floridians with developmental disabilities. For more information about the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, visit APDcares.org.