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Jonathon Flachner builds on successful job performance

By Melanie Mowry Etters • special to the Tallahassee Democrat

MIAMI—Jonathon Flachner is an active man. He holds two jobs and has a full social calendar.

He lives in his own apartment, pays his own bills, and buys his own groceries. He also has a developmental disability. Flachner describes himself as a social person saying, "I am busy every day. I like to stay busy."

Flachner has worked for two South Florida businesses for 17 years. He has the same job at both stores — a re-stocker. He takes items that are returned or are not bought during checkout and puts them back on the shelves so someone else may purchase the product. One of the stores is a very busy Wal-Mart. From his years of experience, he is fast and efficient at restocking both stores' shelves.

"The job is easy for me now," Flachner said.

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

"Jonathon is a wonderful person," Wal-Mart manager Alex Rahini says. "Everyone likes him and enjoys working with him. I have seen the growth in him in his job performance over the years. He is very dedicated."

Rahini says his store is very family oriented, and Flachner is a very good team player and a part of the family.

The interaction with customers and fellow workers is rewarding to Flachner. He says he enjoys the relationships with customers and fellow associates at both stores.

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).