Success Stories

Ontario ARC has developed a customized approach to finding employment opportunities for people with disabilities, which has yielded many successes over the past three decades for both employers and employees.

Ann Gillette
McDonald’s Restaurant in Canandaigua
10 years

In 2001, Ann Gillette joined Ontario ARC’s Employment Services with the goal of gaining employment in the food service industry. Just a few months later, she was hired as a crew member at McDonald’s Restaurant in Canandaigua.

With assistance from Sandi Fogarty, her job coach, Ann has been successful in her position. Plus, through support from the agency, Ann has been able to master several important skills. She started out making french fries and maintaining the appearance of the lobby area and restroom. Her role has expanded to prepping desserts, running the dishwashers, using the milkshake machine and filling condiments and ice machines.

Ann is well liked and respected by her supervisors and fellow employees. She has proven herself to be reliable and a great asset to McDonald’s. Ann’s hard work and ambition to be the best crew member has resulted in her being named “Employee of the Month” and “Employee of the Year” during her tenure at McDonald’s. 

Scott Corbett 
Regional Computer Recycling & Recovery in Victor
1 year

Rick Corbett describes his family as being “at a crossroads” after his son Scott completed high school. They were concerned about Scott’s future and potential employment opportunities as he began to transition into the adult world.

With assistance from the agency’s Transition Services, Scott entered the College Experience program at Finger Lakes Community College in 2006. Through the program, he took a Wide Range Interest and Occupation Test, which showed his interests were in computers and electronics. The program was able to match Scott with internships that helped him further develop his skills in the tech field. 

Upon completion of the College Experience program in 2010, Scott began working at Regional Computer Recycling & Recovery in Victor, where he dismantles computers to be recycled. This position opened up a whole new life for Scott. He is passionate about – and enjoys going to – his work.