Montgomery—At one time, Charles lived in a state institution for persons with mental retardation. He and others felt that his use of a wheelchair and bouts of aggressive behavior diminished his chances for successful community living. Today, they know they were wrong. Last October, when Charles was named Employee of the Year, the old doubts and insecurities were a distant memory. Charles received the award from the Jackson County Alabama Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities for his exceptional job performance with KFC of Scottsboro. Charles was awarded a KFC pin and jacket, both typically awarded to management employees, by General Manager Brian Gipson.

According to Charles’s friends at the Jackson County Association for Retarded Citizens, Inc., Charles has made a successful transition to full inclusion in the community. Staff members say "inappropriate behaviors have been replaced by a polite, joyful and enthusiastic nature." Charles works three to four days a week as a valued member of the team at KFC.

"Charles’ story is a wonderful example of how meaningful, gainful employment can benefit individuals with disabilities. Jobs mean paychecks and paychecks mean pathways to independent living and other important opportunities that nondisabled individuals may take for granted each day," said DMH/MR Commissioner Kathy Sawyer. "We are not talking about so-called ‘busy work,’ but rather about challenging tasks that focus on abilities and provide individuals with a sense of accomplishment and pride. People with mental and physical disabilities make great employees. All they need is a chance to prove themselves!"

According to a U.S. Census Bureau study, in 1997 (the most recent year for which data is currently available) the number of individuals with disabilities in the workforce has decreased, with the exception of individuals with non-severe disabilities. Employment of those with non-severe disabilities rose to 63.9 percent in 1997 from a 1994-95 figure of 61.6 percent. The employment rate for individuals with any type of disability was 48.1 percent, down from a high of 50.4 in 1994-95. Employment of persons with severe disabilities has also declined since the 1994-95 data count. In 1994-95, the employment rate for individuals with sever disabilities was 34.1 percent compared with 29.4 percent in 1997. "This trend is disturbing as it indicates that individuals with disabilities are having diminished opportunities to participate in the rewarding work world," Sawyer said. "Hopefully, through concerted efforts to educate Alabamians about people with disabilities, we will see a reversal of this trend."

RESOURCES

Information about mental retardation and community programs is available from the DMH/MR Mental Retardation Division at (334) 242-3701.