Chad Mayer is a busy man. For the last 18 years, he’s been a super utility player at KMK Law.  Chad works a full five days a week, arriving early in the morning. He is a whiz in the supply room and running the smart mail machine. He sorts and delivers attorney mail and packages, makes deliveries around downtown, and sets up for lunches and meetings. He is such an integral part of the KMK team that when he takes a rare day off, his co-workers look for him. He participates in KMK’s wellness program and loves the perks of his job like the occasional Reds game or holiday party. Chad, by the way, has Down syndrome.

If that were all Chad did, it would be enough. Somehow, he also has time to work as a greeter at select FC Cincinnati games, riding the streetcar from his downtown home. He is a multi-sport athlete in the Special Olympics. Chad served on the Board of the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati and is a regular participant in the DSAGC’s social activities. His schedule made me tired just talking about it.

Chad and KMK were at the forefront of employment for people with a developmental disability.  Chad followed what has now become an established path, training with the help of a job coach who shadowed Chad until he was ready to work on his own with periodic touchpoints.  

Local organizations such as LADD and Easterseals Redwood, to name only a couple, have robust employment programs free to employers. They provide a pool of candidates based on the job description or help train someone the employer identifies. They provide ongoing performance evaluations to ensure satisfaction, and employment consultants to supplement training and assist with any challenges. The Cincinnati Regional Chamber also has resources available to employers interested in employing someone with a developmental disability (or other disabilities), as do affinity organizations like the DSAGC.  

Many studies show what Chad proves every day, employees with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities score highly for work quality, attendance, motivation, engagement, dependability, and integration with co-workers. They simply need a chance to prove what they can do.

Chad urges employers to keep an open mind and make sure any candidate is the right fit. He urges job seekers with DD to “go for it” and “follow your dreams” because “it makes you feel good to have something to do.”    

Chad emphasized how much he loves the people on his team at KMK. It only took 30 seconds in Chad’s environment to see how much his team loves him back.  KMK’s Office Services/Facilities Manager, Kathy Holden, said it best: “Chad, as you know, is amazing to say the least. When he first started here almost 18 years ago, I was a little worried as I did not know what to expect. Chad knocked it out of the park. Not only does he work hard and keep busy all throughout the day, he brings such joy and happiness to everyone he meets. His co-workers, attorneys, staff, etc. look forward to him coming around, delivering mail and packages to the floors. I honestly don’t know what we would do without him here, we are so blessed to have him on our team!”  

Kathy ended with this thought: “I think Chad does more for us than we do for him, he gives us purpose!” What a wonderful tribute to Chad and KMK, and an example for others to follow.        

Alan Abes is a partner at Dinsmore and the 2025-2026 CBA president.