Joe Steffy, born with autism and Down syndrome, talks about overcoming a life of "Here's your label"

Joe Steffy, born with autism and Down syndrome, talks about overcoming a life of "Here's your label" to become a successful business owner. Popcorn boston red sox tickets vs new york yankees may 28 success story highlights disability summit Posted: April 4, 2012 - 3:32pm
Photos Back | Next ANDY MARSO/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL boston red sox tickets vs new york yankees may 28 Joe Steffy, in bandana, signs autographs after making a presentation about his business, Poppin' Joe's, at Wednesday's disability employment summit. Steffy's father, Ray, right, helped him launch the kettle corn business. Back | Next ANDY MARSO/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL Joe Steffy, of Louisburg, started Poppin' Joe's - a kettle corn business that grossed $60,000 last year and has six part-time employees. Steffy has autism and Down syndrome. Back | Next ANDY MARSO/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL Joe Steffy, who has autism and Down syndrome, started a successful kettle corn business.
Joe is now 26. He not only works, he creates boston red sox tickets vs new york yankees may 28 work for others. With the help of his father and mother, Janet, Joe started Poppin' Joe's — a kettle corn business that grossed $60,000 last year and has seven part-time employees.
The Steffy family came from Louisburg to Topeka's Capitol Plaza Hotel on Wednesday to tell the story of Poppin' Joe's as part of a two-day boston red sox tickets vs new york yankees may 28 conference for people with disabilities and their advocates.
The Employment First Summit follows up on groundbreaking legislation signed by Gov. Sam Brownback this past May that requires state programs and services to promote the employment of Kansans with disabilities.
The administration's focus on employment boston red sox tickets vs new york yankees may 28 drew praise the day before from a panel of advocates who were otherwise critical boston red sox tickets vs new york yankees may 28 of the governor because of his proposed Medicaid reform. Brownback boston red sox tickets vs new york yankees may 28 himself opened the conference Wednesday morning by briefly addressing the overflow crowd of several hundred attendees.
Hoff outlined a seven-point plan for realizing the goals of the new law, including funding jobs programs and shattering misconceptions among the disabled and their families that there is no work for them or they will lose government aid if they work.
Mickayla Fink, of the Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas, attended boston red sox tickets vs new york yankees may 28 the conference. Fink, who is working with a grant through the federal Disability Employment Initiative, said she was eager to network with other advocates at the conference and share ideas.
Assistive technology also proved key for Joe Steffy, who is largely nonverbal and uses an electronic device to help him communicate. He also got assistance from Vocational Rehab and home- and community-based Medicaid services.
Ray Steffy said although he and his wife keep the books, Joe is the driving force behind Poppin' Joe's. The company makes five flavors of kettle corn, sells at carnivals and fairs, and has corporate clients, including financial powerhouse State Street.
My job is to work with people boston red sox tickets vs new york yankees may 28 with one or more disabilities in finding employment. It's a very rewarding job, but also very difficult. Many businesses and/or owners of businesses do not truly understand that the disabled can work and be a productive employee. My fellow colleagues and myself have placed our clients in jobs such as dietary aides, boston red sox tickets vs new york yankees may 28 laundry attendants, dishwashers, food prep assistants, movie ushers, retail employees, lawn and garden and several other positions. But we truly need more businesses and owners to participate in hiring our clients. Upon hiring, the business normally qualifies for Work Opportunity Tax Credits (WOTC) which gives the business a tax break. Wal-Mart has hired many of our clients, but the Mom and Pop type businesses boston red sox tickets vs new york yankees may 28 are our best chance at getting our clients employment. Typically our clients are so happy to have a job, that they are more reliable in attendance, dependable, hard working and trustworthy. They often fill shifts that others do not want and take additional shifts when another employee calls in sick or needs a day off. I'm not sure if I am allowed to give a phone number or email address for interested parties to contact, but just in case it is okay please call either Voc Rehab at SRS or call toll free 1-866-332-1226 for more information. Your participation will be very rewarding. Thank you.