 | Washington State |  |
|
| ||
Success Stories
Bob*: Dishwasher.
Since birth, Bob has been legally blind with minimal light perception. He is developmentally delayed and partially paralyzed in one hand. Bob was unemployed for several years until the Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) provided him with job placement assistance, from which he realized his goal of becoming a dishwasher. Additionally, DSB assessed Bob’s work site, Shari’s Restaurant, for special accommodations and facilitated the development of long-term co-workers’ support.
George*: Logistics Support Analyst.
George lost his vision due to Retinitis Pigmentosa. His was a job retention case where the Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) partnered with both Boeing and the Veterans Administration (VA). DSB provided a low vision evaluation and low vision aids, a job site analysis, and an equipment recommendation. Boeing purchased a closed circuit television, a 21” monitor, and mobility aides. VA provided training in orientation and mobility and activities of daily living.
The combined efforts of all three organizations enable George to do his job – managing, tracking and scheduling maintenance for Air Force Two, the Vice President’s plane!
Pam*: Supervisor.
Helping with her husband’s business, Pam had been living with her Retinitis Pigmentosa for a number of years. However, as the condition progressed, her visual fields decreased to a point that diminished her ability to drive and made completing paper work impossible.
Pam entered the Department of Services for the Blind Vocational Rehabilitation Program for advice, counseling, and guidance to help her find a more suitable occupation. She had years of work experience in retail and small business management. Pam’s participation in the program, coupled with her great enthusiasm and positive attitude, enabled her to define her skills and interests; thereby allowing her to determine the types of jobs best suited to her situation.
In the Spring of 1998, a military supply company at Fairchild Air Force Base hired Pam as a store merchandiser/displayer. Now a supervisor, she travels all over the United States training other employees who are blind or visually impaired. Honored the Employee of the Year for 1999, Pam continues to love her job and is a valued employee.
Tom*: Contact Representative.
While attending college, Tom, who has been legally blind since birth, volunteered with schools and agencies that serve the disabled. He successfully completed his Master’s Degree in Social Work, with the hopes of counseling youth and helping disabled individuals become independent in their communities.
Working for the Social Security Administration enables Tom to fulfill his desire to help people of various ages and disabilities. He finds the work interesting and challenging and enjoys helping clients decipher the often-complex services of Social Security. Tom can personally relate to their difficulties, having been a beneficiary of Social Security, himself. Now, he finds earning his own income to be very liberating and gratifying.
Currently, Tom is looking forward to future promotions within the administration and transferals to other cities.
Jarod*: Porter.
Jarod has hereditary Optic Nerve Atrophy. The Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) provided Jarod with many services, including counseling and guidance, and career exploration. With DSB job placement assistance, Jarod obtained a full time position cleaning cars and delivering them on-site to Lexus of Tacoma customers. Jarod was awarded Employee of the Month for November 2000, a reflection of his reliability and dedication to his job.
Della*: Lab Technician.
In 1997, Della was diagnosed as having Retinitis Pigmentosa, a degenerative eye condition that leads to blindness. Fearful of the effects this condition would have on her future employability, she contacted the Department of Services for the Blind (DSB). At that time, she was a 27-year-old, stay-at-home mom who had struggled to complete her high school education.
DSB helped Della through the rehabilitation process of adjusting to vision loss, and she slowly regained a sense of confidence and a desire to return to school. In 1998, after DSB assisted her on aptitude testing and career exploration, Della entered college. She completed prerequisite courses, excelled in the lab technician program, and, despite her failing vision, she finished near the top of her class. Della ended her training less than a month before she was offered a position with Virginia Mason’s Family Clinic in Sequim.
Juan*: Psychologist.
At age 11, Juan contracted a virus that caused his loss of vision, coordination, and balance, as well as the hearing in his right ear. He had generalized right side weakness and slurred speech, with a loss of sensation in his upper extremities.
In 1968, before both the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act, Juan earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Oregon. After a two-year job search, Juan landed a job as a psychologist with the Veterans Administration’s Mental Health-Chemical Dependency Program. Prior to the involvement of Department of Services for the Blind (DSB), Juan’s only accommodations were a Dictaphone and secretary. He had no computer familiarity and no knowledge of adaptive technologies that could ease and enhance his work performance. Because of DSB’s Assistive Technology service (including voice activated software) and his desire to learn, Juan is now able to write reports, initiate written correspondence and conduct research via the Internet. He is fast becoming proficient in the use and application of technologies, and he is able to independently perform all essential job functions.
Sam*: City Planner.
Sam, 31-years-old, is legally blind with Rod Cone Dystrophy and Macular Degeneration. In the early 1990’s, he began working with the Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) and achieved a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning. During that time, DSB provided vocational counseling and guidance, a low vision evaluation, and low vision aids. Also, DSB performed a job site evaluation to anticipate the future accommodations Sam would need at his prospective place of employment. DSB purchased this equipment, which included a computer system with special access software and a closed circuit television to magnify print, and trained Sam in its usage. He also received training in the use of the equipment and software.
Sam began his rehabilitation while a resident of the Tri-Cities and is now living in Oregon where he is employed as a City Planner at the Harney County Planning Office. Being no longer dependent upon Social Security and making enough income to enable his spouse to stay at home with their children, Sam is delighted with the services provided by DSB.
William*: Dental Technician.
19-year-old William has congenital cataracts and nystagmus with a secondary orthopedic disability. He was involved in the Child and Family Program at the Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) and was referred as a transition participant while still in high school. Having made the decision to pursue employment rather than continue on to higher education, he attended the Child and Family Bridge Program to prepare for the transition from school to work.
William received vocational counseling and guidance from DSB, as well as counseling to help him adjust to his blindness. Additionally, he received job search skills training, job placement services, on-the-job training, and job retention services. DSB placed William as a Dental Technician Apprentice with Blue Crown Dental Arts, a position he has successfully retained.
Jennifer*: Program Support Specialist.
Jennifer, 32-years-old, has Retinitis Pigmentosa. With the assistance of the Department of Services for the Blind, she completed a two-year certification program in Social Services from a community college. She received vocational and adjustment to blindness counseling and guidance. Jennifer was also provided with adaptive skills training, a low vision assessment, low vision aids and devices, self-directed job search instruction, and résumé preparation.
Jennifer is currently working as a Program Support Specialist with developmentally disabled adults at Horizon of Sunnyside, Inc. Instructing and demonstrating at their homes, she helps clients develop new work skills and monitors their progress.
Mark*: Computer Aided Draftsman.
Mark, 48, was diagnosed with congenital blindness and nystagmus. While a student at the Columbia Basin Community College, he received vocational counseling and guidance, a low vision evaluation, and low vision aids from the Department of Services for the Blind (DSB). DSB also provided Mark with assistive technology accommodations at the college, thus enabling him to access educational materials, perform academically, and, ultimately, complete the Engineer Technician Program.
Once on the job, Mark received a computer system with a 21” monitor, an AutoCAD software package to perform the work, large print software, and training on the use of the equipment and applications. He formerly lived in Pasco and now lives and works in another part of the state. Mark is employed as a part-time Computer Aided Draftsman contracting independently with the design firm, Lode Star.
Sacha*: Administrative Office Clerk.
70-years-old, Sacha is legally blind with Macular Degeneration. The Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) assisted her in retention of her part-time position as an Administrative Office Clerk for Edith Bishel Center for the Blind. She received an Assistive Technology job site assessment, assessment for low vision aids, and three months of on-the-job training. In addition, Sacha received job accommodations that included JAWS for Windows (a speech software), a closed circuit television to enlarge print, a desk lamp, and other low vision aids. Later, she was referred to Post Employment Services for training related to the use of the assistive equipment and software that was provided by DSB.
Lynne*: Teacher’s Aide.
Lynne, age 50, is legally blind due to Rubella, hearing-impaired, and has a seizure disorder. She received vocational and adjustment to blindness counseling and guidance, job development services, a low vision assessment, and low vision aids from the Department of Services for the Blind. Lynne obtained employment as a Para-Professional (or Teacher’s Aide) at Highlands Middle School. According to her employer, she worked particularly well with developmentally delayed and disabled youth.
Ji Min*: Software Test Engineer.
Totally blind since early childhood, Ji Min is a Communications graduate of Princeton University. By providing vocational guidance and placement services, the Department of Services for the Blind was instrumental in Ji Min’s subsequent employment with Microsoft. There, she finds rewarding her job of developing software for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Lucy*: Intern.
Lucy is totally blind and has prosthetic eyes. She graduated from high school in June of 2000 and was hired by the Environmental Protection Agency. During an internship hiatus, she participated in the Paralympics division of the 2000 Summer Olympic Games held in Sydney, Australia. She and her tandem bicycle captain, Mike Eddy, entered the 40-mile race with trial times that ranked among the top of competitors in both the Paralympics and Olympics!
Leah*: Systems Analyst Programmer in an On the Job Training (OJT).
Leah is legally blind. Also, she has a severe speech disability, significant mobility impairment, and cerebral palsy. She can only type with one hand. The Department of Services for the Blind provided funding for Leah’s OJT, a bus pass, a job site analysis, and low vision aids. As a result, Leah has become a viable candidate for permanent employment with Group Health.
Andy*: Director.
Andy became totally blind following an automobile accident. Through rehabilitation, he discovered he had a talent for technology and recognized a need in the community for better access to technology. With the Department of Services for the Blind providing various assistive equipment and software, Andy founded Special Technology Access Resource (STAR) in 1999.
Open to the public, offering GED preparation classes, computer training, and computer terminals that accommodate people with disabilities, Andy’s STAR center is the first of its kind in the nation and stands as a model to other communities. To provide them with opportunities for work experience, STAR also offers unpaid positions to people with disabilities.
Mandy*: Administrative Assistant.
Mandy has had Macular Degeneration most of her life. Although a majority of her work experience was in waitressing and hosting, she found employment with Alliance for Education, a very active non-profit organization. The Department of Services for the Blind supplied Mandy with necessary technology and low vision aids, as well as, support and encouragement along the way. Her employers consider her a great asset to their team.
*Name has been changed.
Go back to Employer Handbook Table of Contents