2006 DDSD Statewide Awards
The Developmental Disabilities Supports Division (DDSD) honored the following people and agencies for demonstrating excellence in Supported Employment and Meaningful Day services.  Awards were given in the categories of Best Employer, Individual Accomplishment, Professional Achievement, Provider Excellence, and Best Community Organization.

Bill Baird’s Automotive Family

Front Row, Left To Right: Raul Escamilla, Carlos Vealles, Bill Baird And Billy Joe Martin, Mark Matien And Kent “Doc” Young. Back Row, Left To Right: Dick Rohr, Martin Martinez, Lee Walker And Mike Moran.

2006 ddsd statewide directors meeting award winners

BEST EMPLOYER AWARD IN SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT
Awarded to Bill Baird, Baird's Automotive - Las Cruces, New Mexico for taking the initiative to show interest in the integration of individuals with developmental disabilities into the working community and to encourage, show support and value the contributions made in the organization.

At Baird’s Automotive, Billy Joe Martin was a general services employee. Even though Billy’s duties were cleaning up the shop, all of his co-workers realized that his real ambition was to be a mechanic. They encouraged Billy’s work ambitions by including him in the mechanical part of their jobs.

Billy always had a positive attitude at work because Baird’s Automotive employees always included him as one of their ‘working family.’ Baird’s employees talked to Billy while he was on the job about cars and car repairs, and soon Billy became very knowledgeable about auto repair. When a car came in for repairs the crew would frequently ask Billy what he thought was wrong with the car. Usually Billy was able to diagnose the car and tell the mechanics how to fix it. Billy would often refer to himself as a ‘mechanic’ and tell his service coordinator and other staff at Tresco about the cars that he fixed while at work. Billy’s positive self-worth was made possible by the employees who cared about his opinion and respected his role in their organization.

When Billy expressed an interest in learning how to weld, his employer, Bill Baird, was more than willing to show Billy the basics and let him practice welding at the shop. Bill Baird encouraged Billy and made him feel good about fixing mechanical things on his own.

When Billy was sick in the hospital, the whole shop got together and supported him while he was there. They brought Billy a blown up picture of the whole team that they each had signed and gave it to Billy. They also brought him a scale model of a Ford Mustang and car magazines. Bill Baird’s wife, Kim, brought him home-made chocolate chip cookies. Unfortunately, Billy died in March 2007 from cancer. Billy always said that he felt proud to be a part of the Baird’s Automotive Family.

October-2007 - Dave Farbrook

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