The Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities recognized D&D Industries President Joe Buchanan for his exemplary employment practices. Pictured from left are CCBDD Community Employment Specialist Paul Anthony, Buchanan, D&D Employee Ryan Filak and CCBDD Administrative Support Specialist Sarah Hughes. (Submitted photo)

BOARDMAN – The Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD) recently honored D&D Industrial Services President Joe Buchanan for his exemplary hiring practices and focus on an inclusive workforce. The board recognized D&D’s commitment to providing a welcoming, safe workplace where all employees are valued and treated as an important part of the team. D&D provides laundry service for restaurants, businesses and healthcare facilities.

CCBDD Business Engagement Specialist Paul Anthony thanked Buchanan for his steadfast support of people with disabilities.

“We very much appreciate what you do,” Anthony told Buchanan. “We thank you for welcoming individuals to your team and treating them just like any other employee. Your support and dedication helps many people with disabilities succeed and excel in

the workplace. You have enabled them to earn a good income and to be proud of their workplace accomplishments.”

Buchanan first learned about employment programs that focus on people with disabilities during the Covid years, when businesses were suffering from staff shortages and things were being downsized. These programs include those offered through county boards of developmental disabilities, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities and regional placement vocational providers like Blue Sky Employment consultants. Several nursing homes reached out to him because they were short staffed in their laundry rooms. He also had staff shortages so when someone told him about a program that employs individuals with disabilities, he decided to try it. He started with one employee and now employs nine people from agencies in Mahoning and Columbiana counties.

Buchanan said employees’ family members have relayed horror stories of other employers who had treated their developmentally disabled loved ones badly or who didn’t welcome them as true employees. He works hard to ensure that every employee feels valued and welcome.

“They’re part of the team. I don’t look at them any other way,” he said. “They’re employees. They get raises and they don’t get minimum wage,” he noted. “They’ll probably retire from here.”

Buchanan strives to avoid the disability/handicapped label and focuses on his employees’ strengths. He refers to his employees with developmental disabilities as “the kids,” even though they are adults, and encourages them to succeed at their jobs. He

also occasionally provides something special like a taco lunch as a reward for their hard work.

“They are wonderful. They come to work, they’re happy – every one of them. They just work and are happy to be here and there is no drama,” he said.

Buchanan said the employees with developmental disabilities bring a lot to the workplace. But he has found personal reward in working with them and seeing their dedication and effort to excel at their jobs.

“If I had to start a career all over again, I’d be a social worker,” he said. “Knowing what I know now, I would have chosen a different career path because of how rewarding it is.” For more information about programs available through the Columbiana County Department of Disabilities, contact Anthony at 330-424-7788.