Mission Moment:Community EmploymentSuccess StoryPegg Milroy, CESP, Employment SpecialistMarianne Senvisky, Community Employment Services ManagerMarch 24, 2016

About DonDon is a 39-year old individual with more than 18 years of administrative support work experience with the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) in Texas. He and his parents left Austin, Texas, in 2014 to relocate to Ohio to be near family due to his father’s health concerns. LCRA created an annual customer service award and lapel pin in honor of Don to recognize the positive impact he made during his tenure. A talented public speaker, he has traveled to Krakow, Poland and Washington, DC to speak on behalf of people with developmental disabilities. Don has been a member of Toastmasters for more than 12 years and has always volunteered in his community and for his church. He now works part time as an office clerk for Environmental Design Group in Akron. On Mondays, Don volunteers and assists with computer keyboarding in first grade classes at Evamere Elementary School in Hudson, Ohio where his sister is a kindergarten teacher. Don has accomplished all this and more with Down Syndrome.

Employment Goal A part-time office position in the greater

Macedonia area where he could apply his proven customer service and administrative support skills. To be hired before the holidays!

Supports Provided Employment First team coordination of services Customized job development, coaching and

follow-along by UDS Transportation and long-term follow-along by

Summit DD Strong family support and advocacy of Don EDG collaboration to support Don’s success on

the job

Don’s Path to Employment August 21, 2015 – Shon Christy and Gary Knuth referred Don’s family to Community

Employment Services for assistance. August 22, 2015 – Marianne Senvisky met with Don and his parents to discuss how UDS could

help Don achieve his employment goal. August 27, 2015 – Don and his parents interviewed Pegg Milroy, CESP before choosing UDS to

provide services. October 16, 2015 – Following Don’s referral from Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities,

Pegg completed Don’s intake and began weekly job search meetings. She also teamed with Shon to advocate for Don.

October 26, 2015 – Environmental Design Group (EDG) e-mailed UDS regarding a part-time office clerk position they were creating with the hope of filling it with a person with disabilities.

November 3, 2015 – Marianne met with EDG to discuss their job opportunity and presented Don as a prospective candidate. Shon called Jeff Kerr, EDG VP, to personally recommend Don.

December 11, 2015 – Don interviewed with EDG and subsequently offered the position. Happily Don achieved his goal and was able to spend the holidays with his family knowing he would start working after the first of the year.

January 12, 2016 – Don’s first day on the job!

Introducing Don’s Café at EDG Serves guests and employees hot

and cold beverages and snacks. Maintains the café and equipment

and restocks products. Don’s favorite task is making

popcorn for his coworkers every Friday.

He is also responsible for collecting recyclables, shredding documents, mail sorting and plant watering. Don helps set up and tear down for staff meeting lunches and supports food safety.

How can you help? Duplicate Don’s success story in your company Champion diversity hiring within your organization Share HR contacts and job leads with Community Employment

Services Refer people with disabilities to Opportunities for Ohioans with

Disabilities for job placement assistance. UDS has two OOD contract counselors on staff to help.

Invite UDS staff to present the benefits of hiring people with disabilities and the no-cost supports available to your management team.

In memory of Don Rettberg Sr.April 13, 1930 – February 28, 2016