'They make work fun'

PACE — Andrew Wong works as a Chick-fil-A dining room host, cleaning tables, delivering orders, refilling drinks, and dishing up soft-serve ice cream.

Like most his age, he recently graduated high school and needed a job. Wong’s opportunity came when he was placed in an on-the-job training assignment offered through vocational rehabilitation. He is now employed full time and enjoys serving customers and working alongside new friends.

“They are all very nice," Wong said. "They make work fun and not so much like work.”

Wong has a developmental disability. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities is highlighting the workplace achievements of people with disabilities and the employers that hire them.

Wong said he likes his job because it makes him feel good and he no longer relies on his parents to buy everything. Wong has performed so well in his short time with the restaurant that he will soon be cross-trained and given additional responsibilities, including the cash register.

“Andrew brings a positive attitude, smiling face, great communication, and willingness to learn the Chick-fil-A workplace,” said Supervisor Ashley Kaemmerer.

Kaemmerer said Wong is always asking questions so he can learn his tasks and performs them all with great competency.

In his spare time, Wong enjoys swimming, kayaking, reading, and drawing. He attends Wallace Baptist Church and is involved with the youth and young adult classes. He volunteers in the nursery and with children’s church services. Wong participates in Vision of Hope, a local nonprofit organization that helps adults with developmental disabilities learn life skills and receive vocational training and job placement assistance.

Wong’s goals include getting a driver’s license so he can drive himself to work. He would also like to be able to support himself and, one day, buy his own car and house. Wong said he hopes to continue his restaurant career for many years to come.

“I would like to open up my own Chick-fil-A and provide opportunities for military veterans and other adults with disabilities,” he said.

APD supports people with developmental disabilities to live, learn, and work in their communities. The agency annually serves more than 55,000 Floridians with autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome. For more information about ADP, visit APDcares.org or call toll-free 1-866-APD-CARES (1-866-273-2273).

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 'They make work fun'