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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 23, 2010		                     CONTACT:
Melanie Mowry Etters
Communications Director
(850) 488-4257

Employment means independence for Lane

By Melanie Mowry Etters • special to the Tallahassee Democrat

BELLEVIEW—Neil Lane has an independent streak. He wants to live on his own and earn his own way.

Since 2007, Lane has been able to accomplish his goals. He lives in a house with a roommate and works at Long John Silver's restaurant in Leesburg. Employment has made a difference in his life. "I like to be independent," Lane says.

Neil Lane, who has a developmental disability, has moved up the ladder at Long John Silver's restaurant from cleaning to cooking. Sometimes he works at the cash register and takes orders from the customers

He receives services from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. APD is highlighting the contributions of people with disabilities, like Lane, to the work force.

Lane, who has a developmental disability, has moved up the ladder in the restaurant from cleaning to cooking. Sometimes he works at the cash register and takes orders from the customers.

"He is very helpful," restaurant manager Mela Carr says. "He will ask if there is anything else he needs to do. He is a part of our networking crew. People enjoy seeing him when they come in. He is definitely an asset to the restaurant."

Lane says, "The people at work are friendly. I have gotten to know some of the people who come in to eat regularly."

Lane volunteers with the Belleview-South Marion County Chamber of Commerce. Supported employment provider Hilda Spots wrote of Lane, "Recently, the Chamber renovated an old historic building and among the volunteers Neil could be found working on the yard, removing leaves, making sure that the mulch was in place for the opening day activities."

Lane has other goals he hopes to accomplish. He is taking continuing education classes to help him receive his General Equivalency Diploma.

This series of profiles continues throughout October, Disability Employment Awareness Month. APD supports people with developmental disabilities to live, learn, and work in their communities. The agency annually serves about 35,000 Floridians. For more information about the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, visit APDcares.org or call toll-free 1-866-APD-CARES (1-866-273-2273).