Pat Archer

Pat Archer experienced many obstacles as a person with Autism, including graduating high school with a Special Degree that undermined his opportunity to enter post-secondary education. Nevertheless, he continued to pursue his GED course and entered Palm Beach State College. But Pat was determined to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Multimedia and gain employment as a videographer. He is a tireless self-advocate working to create awareness of employment challenges for persons with disabilities. Pat was recognized in 2010 for his efforts and selected by former Governor Charlie Crist as a Gubernatorial Appointee to the Florida Developmental Disability Council (FDDC). In 2014, Pat was reappointed by former Governor Rick Scott to the FDDC for another four-year term. While serving as an FDDC council member, Pat helped create public policy changes for Floridians with developmental disabilities. 

In May 2020, Pat graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Multimedia Studies and continues to work as a front service clerk at Publix, a position he's held for over twenty years. While pursuing his personal goals, Pat was mentored at Kennedy Space Center for twelve years during Disability Mentoring Month. As a KSC mentee, he worked as a videographer in the Public Affairs Department, KSC-TV, the Education Department (PX), and Swamp Works, where soil samples are tested for Mars missions with robots. 

Pat recognizes the talents many people like Elton John and Stevie Wonder bring to the world of film and television. He offers his many talents to set up shoots in studio and on location and is ready for a full-time position to utilize his skills and abilities. He enjoys his videographer mentee position for Archer Disability Foundation, volunteering each year during Disability Mentoring Months to help advance ESE (exceptional student education) students to explore employment opportunities as mentees participating in career shadowing events in Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, Saint Lucie & Indian River County School Districts.

Pat's dream job is to work as a videographer/photographer at Kennedy Space Center, Space X, or Publix Media Department. He can be reached at parcher2017@fau.edu and Linkedin.