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Jeanette Sciulara finds career success in retail

DAYTONA BEACH — Jeanette Sciulara exudes a positive attitude when speaking to others. She works at the Kmart store on International Speedway Drive in Daytona Beach, handling a variety of tasks — primarily tagging items with security devices to prevent theft.

"I like tagging the best. I work in the clothing area where the security tags are put on. I put the tag on the seam of the item," Sciulara says.

One of her supervisors is store manager Charlie Byrd. "Jeanette has made a strong difference for our store. She helps us keep our losses down. She has a real purpose here. I regularly give her positive reinforcement that she is doing well," Byrd says.

Sciulara has developmental disabilities and receives job coaching and other services from Florida's Agency for Persons with Disabilities. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time during which APD is highlighting the contributions of people with disabilities to the workforce.

Sciulara has worked at Kmart for four years. She uses public transportation to get to work, and has never been late for her shift.

"I love it. It is a really good job with good people. In the beginning I was kind of nervous and afraid I wasn't going to do a good job. Now I feel comfortable here," Sciulara said. She has even been named Employee of the Month at the store, where they put her picture up on the wall and gave her a certificate.

Byrd uses humor in his interactions with Sciulara, which helps reduce any anxiety she may be feeling. "She's probably the happiest person in this building. We tease each other. I like having her around."

Sciulara says about the store manager, "He's a character. I get a kick out of him."

In her free time, Sciulara likes to shop. She enjoys buying frog trinkets of all shapes and sizes, and has more than 100 frogs in her collection.

APD supports people with developmental disabilities to live, learn and work in their communities. The agency annually serves more than 50,000 Floridians with autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome. For more information about the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, visit APDcares.org.