October 2022 Special Needs Living Akron/Canton

Community Employment Spotlight: Teddy Carlson

Work Hard … And Smile. Meet Teddy Carlson

By Deborah Riley

Deborah RIley

Teddy is a hard worker and a joy to work with! He has worked at Deluxe Corporation in Streetsboro since May of this year. Teddy is a worker who understands that being on time, looking neat, and working through difficult situations are all qualities necessary to be successful in the workplace. Teddy has learned this through the help of his job coaches and work training programs that he has attended over the past several years.

Teddy works Monday through Friday for four hours a day. At Deluxe, Teddy is responsible to fill order forms, organize, alphabetize, count, inventory, and make kits. Teddy said that his Job Coach, Janessa, taught him to do his counting out loud to help him ensure accuracy on his orders. One of his favorite job tasks is to fill the order forms. He says this task helps him feel successful! The most challenging aspect of his job is doing inventory.

Prior to starting his job with Deluxe Corporation, Teddy has participated in various work training programs, all of which have taught him the skills necessary to be successful on the job! Teddy has worked at Kent State University through Roosevelt High School with Mr. Bryan Harvey. Through the Summer Youth Work Experience with Opportunities for Ohians with Disabilities, Teddy was able to gain work experience with Gabe’s. While attending the Vocational Habilitation program at Leeda in Ravenna, he learned many job skills including: painting, inventory, cashier, and getting along with others from Leeda staff Tiffany Jones and Marcy Cohen.

Teddy’s job coaches and work training staff have had a profound impact on his life and have helped him make incredible progress over the past few years! This has enabled Teddy to find successful employment allowing him to earn a paycheck to buy the things he wants, which makes him feel proud!