Jim Cunningham, of drugstore.com got to thinking about how his company was proactive in hiring people with disabilities at its eastern distribution center. Why not expand the idea to the company’s company headquarters in Bellevue?

He found success with Margaret Padilla, an AtWork! client.

The first step was to set up work trials where AtWork! clients did work for the company in a very controlled setting to see if the projects and tasks were within the clients’ skill sets. Over the course of a couple of months AtWork! clients and their job coaches came to drugstore.com’s offices to package special kits, label, attach price stickers, etc.

AtWork! employment consultants also spent time with Jim and Brooke Newman of drugstore.com conducting a job tour where they took a look around to see what jobs were needed within the company that simply were not getting done. Several ideas emerged including cleaning up three break rooms.

That’s where Margaret Padilla comes in. Padilla is a very hard worker who fits well into the company culture. Most importantly she can do the required tasks well.

She has had her job for over a year now. Her job coach works with drugstore.com to find simple accommodations that keep Margaret productive, like an elevator key card that allows her to figure out which floor she needs to go to next, and timers in the break rooms that let her know it is time to move on to the next task.

In the beginning the job coach was with her every hour she worked. By developing natural supports from Padilla’s co-workers, her coach now only comes for half an hour a week, just to check in.

Margaret is a regular employee. She has her own cubicle, and she earns a paycheck.

AtWork! will celebrate Padilla’s success and honor drugstore.com as its “Supporter of the Year” at its annual breakfast April 13 at the Westin Hotel in Bellevue.

People can register for the breakfast and learn more about AtWork! and drugstore.com on the AtWork! website, www.atworkwa.org.