“They take the job seriously and do a good job,” Mr. Maranell said of his employees with developmental disabilities.

When he started the job tryout in school, a paraprofessional helped Tyler learn the grocery store job. Now 23, he’s become a trusted full-time employee.

Tony Schwager, who teaches shop at Baldwin High School, said the long term goal of Anthony’s Beehive is financial independence for his son.

Special Education teacher Andrea Zody said she thought the possibility of Annie volunteering at the Sternberg was an excellent suggestion.

“I’m right in there with everybody else” could be said to be Colin Olenick’s life theme. “With a little bit of what I’d call ‘unorthodox help,’ I’ve been able to achieve much.”

Allison’s mother, Karen Loveland, said Allison has worked in a day care, a flower shop, a nursing home, and fast food restaurants.

Employment1st.org is funded by the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities (KCDD). Design by Lawson Phillips Associates. Stories by Tim Hoyt. Photography by Lawson Phillips. Publication design by Arthur McCash and Lawson Phillips.