Support Services Make Work Workable

BOONVILLE – The daily taxi fare of $10 to go to work and back takes a big bite out of a paycheck for someone like Gary Appleberry working for minimum wage.

So, when a new city bus service cut his transportation costs by more than half, Gary had more money in his pocket for other basic needs, as well as the occasional night out with friends singing Karaoke.

Now, he calls the dispatcher for the Katy Flyer to book a ride to work.

“The cab is high. The Katy Flyer is reasonable,” says Gary, who doesn’t drive. “I know a lot of people take the Katy Flyer. They get you to work on time.”

The service began operating in October 2008 after Unlimited Opportunities, Inc. (UOI), working with the City of Boonville, secured a $75,000 grant from the Missouri Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities. The city was one of three in Missouri to receive the grant to develop public transportation that is accessible for anyone, including persons with disabilities.

Boonville contracted with OATS for the 15-passenger van equipped with a lift, and it now operates three days a week. The cost for a rider to go anywhere in the city limits is $2. In its first eight months, the van provided 889 rides, of which 274 were for people going to work.

Public transportation has been sorely needed in Boonville for a long time,” says Vicki McCarrell, UOI executive director and a member of the local transportation steering committee.

The committee’s chief mission in developing public transportation in Boonville was to increase access to employment for persons with disabilities.

Despite his learning disability, Gary has always worked. When the little town where he once lived didn’t have a job for him, he left to go find one. He started at a sheltered workshop, but later worked in food service, which gave him an advantage when a job became available at the Isle of Capri casino boat in November 2008.

He started there as a dishwasher, and after only three months he was promoted to food runner. It’s his job to make sure the hot food, salad, bakery and dessert bars are continuously stocked. He also carves meat and helps clean the food bars at the end of the night.

His supervisor, Patrick O’Blennis, says Gary is dependable and eager to work, and his outgoing, cheerful personality is an asset.

“A lot of (job) performance is interaction with guests to give them a good experience here so they will come back and visit us,” Patrick explains. “We’re very picky about who we hire. We have an extensive interview process.”

A disability is not a disqualifier at the Isle of Capri. “We work with a person’s disability,” Patrick says. You have to see from their point of view where they would fit in. Gary works very well right here.”

Gary especially likes the friendly contact with customers. “They come first,” he says.

“One woman last night was smiling, and I said, ‘You have a nice smile.’ She said, ‘I just won $500,’ and I said, ‘Well, you have something to smile about.’”

A job coach initially helped Gary adapt to his job responsibilities. When Gary had mastered the basic skills, the coach came only on certain occasions. For example, special promotions at the casino – such as surf and turf night – draw larger crowds. The coach came to ensure Gary could keep pace with the greater demand.

Gary also has learned from his own experiences working at various jobs – even the negative experiences. He shares one lesson: “If you’ve got a problem, go to the supervisor. When people talk about you behind your back, you have to learn to walk away from it and not react to it, not let it ruin your day.”

Just as Gary has grown on the job, he also has grown in his independence. He previously lived in a supervised group home, but now lives in his own apartment, part of UOI’s Individual Supported Living. The program provides training in certain life skills, such as cooking and budgeting. Gary cooks his own meals, noting that meatloaf is his specialty.

He and his girlfriend, Tracy, are able to enjoy the community more now that public transportation has expanded their options.

“If me and Tracy want to go to the park, we call ahead and tell them we need a ride at this time,” Gary says.

He hopes the service eventually will expand beyond three days a week.

“We tried for years to get some type of public transportation for Boonville,” says Carol Ries, UOI’s manager of community employment. “We have had people not take jobs because of transportation issues. It’s tough in a rural community, but we’re getting there.”