Companies Provide Job Opportunities For People With Developmental Disabilities

NEWARK, Ohio -- For some, a job is just a way to earn a paycheck.
But for those with developmental disabilities, the opportunity to work means so much more."It gives them the ability to live independently," said Heather Odendahl, public information manager for the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities. "They can go to work and socialize with their peers. You can imagine the self confidence boost."
But with the economic slowdown, many people living with developmental disabilities have had difficulty finding work, Odendahl said.
"A lot of people are experiencing job losses right now," she said. "The job loss is even higher for the developmentally disabled community."
Two Hebron companies -- THK Manufacturing of America and Hendrickson Auxiliary Axle -- recently made commitments to increasing opportunities for developmentally disabled workers.