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When it comes to education and career aspirations, Dana Washington has always been motivated to succeed—due in large part to powerful role models. “I always had a strong support system,” she says, noting the circle of friends and family who encouraged her to pursue challenging coursework and academic-related activities. “It really propelled me to seek a degree.”
That degree was a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management, which Dana earned at Columbia Southern University in Orange Beach, Alabama. Following in the footsteps of her inspiring role models, she graduated Magma Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.92.
Dana lives with depression and dyscalculia, a learning disability that makes mathematical reasoning and computation difficult. During her senior year at Columbia Southern, she applied for support from the university’s Office of Disability Services and, in her interactions with its counselors, was encouraged to explore the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP).
Dana was intrigued and excited by the possibilities the program offered as a gateway to a position with the Federal Government. “Thanks to the WRP and the special hiring authority used by my employer, I got a foot in the door with U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
The agency offered her a full-time position as an EEO Specialist / Training Coordinator. In that role, today she helps assess the organizational culture and manages training and professional development opportunities for staff across the nation. The position aligns perfectly with one of Dana’s future career goals—to lead a learning and development division within a federal agency.
A devoted fan of the WRP, Dana was grateful for the support she received from WRP staff throughout the job search and interview process and encourages other students and recent graduates with disabilities to consider the program. “It’s a great decision,” she says, “because the WRP always has the student’s interest at heart.”
With a clear understanding of the power of role models and high expectations, Dana hopes her experiences may serve to motivate others to succeed, especially young people with learning disabilities. “My dream is to write children’s books to help children who have the same disability as me,” she says. “They would be about a little girl and how she learns to navigate life’s challenges.”
Roxanna Arce-Tyndale's smile is a mile wide as she curls a client's hair. You can tell she is overjoyed to be back at work after taking several months off following hip replacement surgery. Moving around her station at BlueBell Salon in Bethesda, MD, she says, "I don't live with constant pain anymore. It's amazing!" In fact, getting back to work has been an important part of Roxanna's recovery process. "Working is part of what gives me purpose, and being able to rejoin the workforce really helped with my recovery, both mentally and physically," she says.
Born and raised in the Washington, D.C., area, Roxanna always knew she wanted to become a hair stylist. "It was my dream ever since I was a little girl," she says. She began taking classes in cosmetology at Edison Career Center while still in high school, and by the time she graduated had her certification to be a licensed cosmetologist. Twenty years later, she has worked at a range of salons across the area.
By 2016, however, she was in constant pain due to being born with a narrow hip. "I didn't know I had this condition, and over the years my hip bone got more and more worn down. At one point, I was in so much pain, I couldn't really walk and was using a cane and sometimes a motorized scooter." By late fall, the pain had become so extreme that she needed to take medical leave.
After a hip replacement in January 2017, followed by several months of recovery, which included intense physical therapy, she returned to BlueBell Salon in May. "I've had other jobs, but this is where I'm happy and what I do best," she says, as she looks around the salon, beaming. She says her favorite part of the job is, "Seeing clients satisfied and happy with what I did, and bringing their vision into reality."
In her spare time, Roxanna, a single mom who lives in Rockville, MD, enjoys relaxing and spending time with her three sons, who range in age from 12 to 26. When asked what advice she would give to others who need to take time off from work to address a medical issue, she says, "Open communication with your employer and co-workers is really important. It makes the whole process so much better."
In the end, Roxanna says her decision to take time off to get better was the right one for her—and her employer. "It was so important to take care of myself to address my medical issue. Doing so has made me a more dedicated worker, mother and all around much happier person," she says.
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John Winfrey has his wife to thank for the career change that led him to his current role as Senior Technical Account Manager and Cloud Service Delivery Manager at Microsoft. Many years ago, while living in Little Rock, Arkansas, he was working as much as 90 hours a week as a manager for a fast food chain. He and his wife had two small children at the time and, "She told me it was time to either find a job that would allow me to spend more time with my family, or to find a new family," he says, with a laugh.
John, who is legally blind, had never before considered looking into programs for people with visual disabilities, but decided it was a good time to do so. Through his research, he discovered World Services for the Blind, a nonprofit organization founded by the Little Rock Lions Club to provide independent living and job training skills for people with visual impairments. He interviewed for and was accepted into a 9-month computer training program that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offered through the organization. Prior to the training program, he had only a passing interest in computers, but after he completed the course, he was hired by the IRS and found himself in a new job in a new career field.
After working for the IRS for four years, John landed a job as an engineer at Abacus Technology, eventually working his way up to Manager and Lead Technical Advisor. Then, in 2000, he began working at Microsoft, where he now leads a team that supports government sector clients. "My job is basically to make sure the products our customers buy work like they're supposed to," he says. To assist him in doing his work, he uses accommodations including magnification software and large screen monitors. His says his favorite part of his job is, "Having an immediate, tangible impact on customers. It's rewarding to lead a group effort to improve or fix whatever issues they may be encountering.'
John also acts as his division's Section 508 coordinator, bringing his own experience to bear on the product testing of new technologies and helping Microsoft ensure its products are accessible to all users. In addition, he is part of Microsoft's employee resource group (ERG) for people with disabilities, through which he helps new hires with disabilities adjust to working at the company.
Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, John also lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma before moving to Little Rock, and then Greenbelt, MD, where he has lived for the past 25 years. He works from home most of the time, but since the majority of his customers are outside the Washington, D.C. area, he also travels for work quite a bit. When he commutes to D.C., he uses the Metro, the area's public transportation system, or ride-sharing services.
In his free time, John is very active with the Knights of Columbus, leading volunteer activities supporting veterans, and organizing "angel tree' efforts to collect holiday gifts for local children from low-income families. He also loves watching sports — especially his beloved Kansas City Chiefs — and spending time with his family, including his grandchildren. So in the end, his wife's ultimatum worked, resulting in more family time and a fulfilling career that optimizes John's skills and talents. "It's the best of all worlds," he says.
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Growing up in Monterrey, Mexico, Diego Mariscal learned the importance of advocacy at a young age. When he was 12 years old, he and his teammates on his Paralympic junior swim team lobbied to have an accessible training center built. The effort was a rousing success, resulting in a brand new, fully accessible training center, and garnering attention from the media and Mexico's First Lady — and Diego being able to continue his training and represent his state, Nuevo León, in the Mexican National Paralympics from 2004-2009.
This early taste of the power of advocacy made a tremendous impact on Diego, who has cerebral palsy. He continued his advocacy efforts in high school, creating a series of disability awareness workshops that have since expanded to eight schools across Mexico. After moving to the U.S. in 2011 to study international relations at American University in Washington, D.C., he formed 2Gether-International, a nonprofit organization that develops advocacy campaigns to empower and unify young people with disabilities. In 2014, he was selected as a Youth in International Development and Affairs Fellow by the U.S. International Council on Disabilities.
Today, in his role as CEO and "Chief Disabled Officer" of 2Gether-International, Diego uses communication technology to engage youth with and without disabilities around issues such as education, employment and entrepreneurship. He says his favorite part of the job is that he learns something new every day. "It's challenging. I have nobody telling me what to do day to day, which is scary, but great," he says. "Yes, we have to be true to the mission of the organization. But what does that mean? Every day, I meet new people and have new experiences that help me answer that question."
When asked his advice for young people with disabilities, he says, "Know your rights and what resources are out there for you. A number of young people with disabilities don't know about VR [vocational rehabilitation], and they aren't sure what benefits they're entitled to. Understanding your rights is very important."
Diego currently lives in Washington, D.C. and commutes to work on the bus. In his spare time, which he admits he doesn't have much of these days, he likes to read and still enjoys swimming, even though he no longer does it competitively.
Whether in the water or at work, Diego is a force to be reckoned with. He has also collaborated with the U.S. Department of State, the Inter-American Development Bank, the United Nations and leading technology companies like Blackboard to engage youth in disability issues. He has also been recognized both nationally and internationally for his work in disability advocacy, including being selected as an Architect of the Future by the Waldzell Leadership Institute of Vienna, Austria and a Global Changemaker by the British Council.
Through these and all his efforts, Diego is passionate about encouraging youth with disabilities to always try to excel. "Society often underestimates people with disabilities," he says, "So it's really powerful when as a community we are able to prove society wrong." It's sage advice that he models every day.
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Erin Thompson is not the kind of person who loses focus often. And that attention to detail makes her invaluable to her colleagues at Rosetta Stone's headquarters in Arlington, VA, where she's worked for more than six years. As an administrative assistant, Erin works five days a week, handing a variety of tasks such as data entry, processing expense reports, filing, delivering mail, and keeping the cooler and coffee station stocked. According to her coworkers, she is a great member of the team, and her detail-oriented approach helps keep the busy office running smoothly.
After graduating from George Mason University's Learning Into Future Environments (LIFE) program in 2010, Erin, who has Down syndrome, immediately started looking for a job that combined her skills and interests. As she was encouraged to do in her classes, she began networking through personal connections at Best Buddies and ServiceSource, both nonprofit organizations serving people with disabilities. But it was Erin's public speaking abilities that first brought her to the attention of Rosetta Stone's human resources department. The company participated in the Best Buddies Challenge, a charity walk, run and bike ride, for many years, and Erin was a guest speaker at the event's kick-off in 2011. Her poise and passion impressed a Rosetta Stone employee, who in turn contacted Best Buddies asking to be connected with her.
For Erin, like many other people in the Washington, D.C. area, transportation is an important employment support; she travels to work each day on Metro, the region's public transportation system. She also has a job coach who visits her about once a month to offer support and suggestions on how to address any challenges she may face at work. Outside of work, Erin's very active in volunteer activities, including serving on the Self-Advocate Advisory Board of the National Down Syndrome Society. She also continues to be involved with Best Buddies, paying it forward to help others with intellectual disabilities seek and succeed in employment.
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Amir Rahimi is a natural born storyteller. Although he once planned to be a patent lawyer, it's hard to imagine a career field better suited to his open, friendly personality than the one he's currently in — public relations. As the communications manager for the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia, Inc. (ECNV), a community resource and advocacy center run by and for people with disabilities, his job entails many behind-the-scenes activities such as managing social media accounts, maintaining the center's website and writing press releases, as well as some development and fundraising work. He says his favorite part of the job is helping people with disabilities "be independent and live the lives they want to live."
Amir, a Maryland native who now lives in Arlington, VA, became blind in 2009 as the result of a fall during his senior year at the University of Maryland, College Park. After graduation, he attended a year-long training program at Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) in Baltimore, where he took classes in independent living, travel training, Braille and assistive technology. The intensive program included tasks such as cooking a three-course meal for 40 people by himself and navigating a 10-day solo trip to Miami. After completing the program, Amir was planning to attend law school, and even took the Law School Admission Test, but, "My heart just wasn't in it anymore," he says. "I had to do some soul searching to find out what I wanted to do and what I was good at."
Through his time in the BISM program and during an internship with the American Association of People with Disabilities, Amir became involved in the disability community and met people with disabilities working in a variety of fields, including engineering, medicine and business. "I learned there were other things I could do besides be a lawyer," he says. This revelation led him to ECNV, where he has worked since early 2016. "Seeing the difference ECNV makes in people's lives, that my colleagues make — helping people with disabilities find employment and housing and live independently — it makes me happy. That's what I love about my job." Amir is especially proud of the center's Life Enrichment Awards Program (LEAP) Awards, which provide grants to support youth with disabilities as they transition to adulthood. "I relate to them and where they are in their lives, because I was there eight or nine years ago." As a coworker, Amir is "an enthusiastic and very motivating person. He always looks out for his colleagues and is a very loyal friend," says Elizabeth Kumar, a peer mentor at ECNV.
In his spare time, Amir, who recently completed a master's degree program in public relations at George Washington University, enjoys going to standup comedy shows and Toastmasters events. He also plans to start taking improv comedy classes soon — where he'll test out his storytelling skills in front of the curtain for a change.
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One of the first things you notice when talking to Lindsay Adams-Spinner is how enthusiastic she is about her job. While working in the communications field wasn't exactly what she imagined she'd be doing while pursuing a double major in Spanish and International Studies, World Politics and Diplomacy at the University of Richmond, she says it's the perfect fit for her creative spirit. A Maryland native, Lindsay once planned to be a Foreign Service Officer, but her job as a senior consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton has helped her find her real passion.
Lindsay, who has cerebral palsy that affects her speech and balance, started as a business analyst at Booz Allen after graduating from college five years ago. In that position, she was exposed to communications work and realized it was her true calling. By networking with a senior associate at the firm, she was paired with the leader of the creative team, who encouraged her interests and eventually helped her transition to her current job. She also took classes in digital communication and digital marketing to prepare for the change, in addition to a remote semester in graphic design at Parsons School of Design — The New School in 2014. For the past year, she has been working as a consultant to the Defense Healthcare Management Systems, Program Executive Office, part of the U.S. Department of Defense, where she assists with brand management and communications. She splits her time between working at the client site and from home, and her duties include editing, developing web content, managing social media accounts, researching and ensuring that all communications content is on-brand.
Lindsay is a member of Booz Allen's employee resource group (ERG) that supports company-wide disability initiatives, for which she co-leads efforts to develop strategic partnerships between Booz Allen and community organizations. Her focus within the group is on internal communications and marketing to help generate participation from other Booz Allen employees. In addition, she acts as a mentor for the U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN) Rising Leaders Mentoring Program.
In her free time, Lindsay likes to paint and draw and goes to yoga class 3-4 times a week, which she says has helped greatly improve her balance. She also loves to travel, a passion that was fueled when she studied abroad in Valencia, Spain while in college and through a Foreign Service internship at the Embassy of Grenada. Lindsay took her first solo trip to Barcelona and Rome for her 26th birthday, and says her dream destination is Bali. Her advice to other people with disabilities is to also pursue their dreams, whether near or far, and not shy away from talking about disability as they do. "Own it and be okay with your story," she says. "It's not always comfortable, but it's bigger than you as an individual. Educating others is so important."
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Nirath Seri knows a thing or two about adapting to new environments. Originally from India, she moved to the U.S. two years ago to attend graduate school at the University of Texas at Arlington, after receiving a Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology. Nirath, who was born deaf and reads lips, had to not only learn a new language, but also work hard to understand the accents prevalent in her new city. Although she does wear a hearing aid, she doesn't speak sign language because it was never taught in the mainstream schools she attended in India. "I just had to learn to read lips, but if the teacher turned their head or something, I'd miss things. So, I would go home and teach myself from the book," she says.
That sense of self-direction and initiative serves her well in her role as a senior consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton's Infrastructure and Military Health Team, which she joined in January 2017. Because she supports the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service (NPS), her job takes her to a lot of new places. In the past few months, she has helped run focus groups with NPS hiring managers in Alaska, Colorado, West Virginia and Minnesota, among other locations. This work is part of a larger project to analyze workforce barriers and help support accessible recruitment, hiring and retention practices for federal employees. She says her favorite part of her job is that, "Everything I do interests me. It helps me hone my skills and gain new experience."
Nirath first came to Booz Allen as a summer intern in 2016, where she took part in the firm's Summer Games Challenge, a 10-week competitive program that culminates in three days of pitch sessions to the company's senior leaders. The project she worked on, a device that helps people who are blind navigate independently, was selected as the challenge winner over 52 other teams and resulted in a partnership with the National Federation of the Blind to develop a prototype of the device.
Nirath lives in Alexandria, Virginia and her worksite is in downtown Washington, D.C., so she typically commutes using the Metro, the area's public transportation system. At work, she sometimes requests CART services, an accommodation provided by Booz Allen, for group discussions, and often uses the Skype chat feature and text messages to communicate with clients and coworkers.
In her spare time, Nirath enjoys working out, running and spending time with animals — she volunteers at an animal shelter and a nearby farm with horses and dogs. One piece of advice she'd give to young people with disabilities is, "Every day is a challenge. Make the most of it and always remember that it is our abilities that count."
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Getting where you want to be often means leaving where you are. This was certainly true for Eric Wright, a lead technologist with global consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH).
Upon graduating from the University of Vermont, Wright, who was born and raised in the state and has cerebral palsy, wanted to move somewhere more accessible. He chose Washington, D.C. because of its extensive metro system, with elevators at every station.
With a degree in English, Wright didn't initially envision a technical career. He obtained his first job — doing data entry for the Internal Revenue Service — through the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP), which he learned about at an informational event he saw advertised on campus. "They were offering free pizza, so I skipped class to go," he recalls. "It turned out to be the most profitable decision I made!"
Once in the workforce, Wright learned that his experiences gave him knowledge of the challenges others with disabilities face, including related to accessing information online. "I realized that I actually have some skills and perspective that would be useful," he says. "That's when I got into accessibility." In 2013 he started at BAH. Today, he spends most of his time teaching personnel from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a BAH client, how to make accessible websites, software applications and videos.
Regrettably, what attracted Wright to Washington later prompted him to leave. A number of ongoing problems with the Metro system made it harder to justify paying the area's high rent. So he brought his concerns to BAH management and now works remotely from Vermont.
Besides requiring enough space to maneuver his wheelchair, Wright's primary accommodation is speech recognition software that lets him dictate instead of type, because tremors make using a mouse and keyboard difficult. He initially worried about telecommuting, but Skype and screen sharing have proven useful.
A pivotal moment in Wright's life occurred in high school when he attended a Youth Leadership Forum at which he met adults with disabilities who talked about their jobs. "Here's an actual role model, here's somebody who's done it before," he recalls thinking. "Here's proof that I can do it, too." It was also there that he met his now fiancée.
In addition to his day-to-day responsibilities, Wright holds a leadership position with BAH's affinity group for employees with disabilities. He also recently joined the board of the Northeast Disabled Athletic Association, which promotes sports such as adaptive sailing, hand cycling and sled hockey.
Whether at work or play, Wright likes to remind others with disabilities that, ultimately, "accessibility is about infrastructure. It's about making sure your environment and the people you work with are accessible and that you have channels to get what you need. So the one piece of encouragement I would give to people is, if the place you are isn't working, don't be afraid to try somewhere else."
And, as Wright shows by example, if you can make it work, don't be afraid to come back.
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Technology has interested Sam Joehl nearly all of his life. Born blind, he first experienced its transformative power in second grade when his family got an Apple IIe computer, to which his father added a speech synthesizer and braille editor. "The computer was a world that really appealed to me," he recalls. "It was a world where I could function, where I felt like I really had control."
After college, where he studied computer information systems, Joehl worked in Chicago until an opportunity with SSB Bart Group (SSB), a digital accessibility company in Vienna, Va, opened up. At Joehl's previous job, the proprietary software that accommodated his disability impeded his efficiency, he said, and trying to make it more user-friendly started to interest him more than his actual job. Thus, he was a natural fit for SSB, where he now works as a principal technical consultant.
Joehl's work at SSB varies from day to day. The company conducts accessibility audits and tests websites to ensure they comply with accessibility regulations and can actually be used by individuals with disabilities. The majority of Joehl's work is in the cable telecommunications space, which means he knows the Communications and Video Accessibility Act inside out. Since 2014 he has also served on the Federal Communications Commission's Disability Advisory Committee.
At work, Joehl uses screen reading technology (JAWS for Windows) with a refreshable braille display. Part of his job entails testing other screen readers that work on other platforms and testing accessibility features built into mobile devices. A "game-changing" tool he recently acquired is a new braille note taker that can run third-party applications.
The world of accessibility has changed dramatically over the years, but the most exciting transformation to Joehl is the cultural shift around disability. "When I first entered this field, you really didn't hear the word 'accessibility,'" he says. "Now it's more in the forefront." It's a marvel to him that devices like mobile phones can be purchased with accessibility features built right in and used straight out of the box without having to add costly assistive technology.
As accessibility features become more common, assistive technology vendors are being forced to push the innovation envelope in order to stay relevant, Joehl observes. "Now they have to figure out a way to do something better than the mainstream technology vendors do. It really is raising the bar."
Outside of work, Joehl's passion is being on a dragon boat racing team, the "Out of Sight Dragons," which practices on the Potomac River. What he likes most about it is that it's a team sport. "If you look at a lot of athletic opportunities for the visually impaired, they tend to be individual, even if you're on a team like bowling or wrestling," he says. "With this, it's a collective effort. And we're not racing against other teams with disabilities, we're racing against other teams. We're competing on an equal level with everybody else." In essence, Joehl's work is all about helping more people with disabilities be able to do the same.
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Teaching and helping children "develop into little people" had been Elizabeth Kumar's lifelong passion, but when central nervous system lupus left her paralyzed from the waist down in her mid-20s, necessary medications affected her ability to work full-time in a classroom. For several years she tutored part-time before embarking on a new career as a peer mentor at the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV). In this role, she still uses her teaching talents, but in a slightly different manner—working with adults and helping them with life skills.
When Kumar became paralyzed, she was discharged from the hospital without learning many of the skills she needed to live independently. She credits her husband (then fiancée), who also uses a wheelchair, with being her role model and mentor; he encouraged her to gain those skills and reengage in work and the community.
Things Kumar regrettably had to learn the hard way, such as how to apply for disability benefits, or how to transfer into a wheelchair, is what she now teaches others. "Working as a peer mentor has been the best job I've had, because I am able to share what I know," she says. "Many of my consumers are dealing with the things I dealt with years ago."
Shortly after Kumar was hired by ECNV, she had surgery for a pressure ulcer. Both before and after the surgery, ECNV let her work from home as an accommodation. While recuperating, Kumar called in to meetings, which allowed her to remain part of the team, and, more importantly, helped her keep a positive mindset while hospitalized.
In fact, much of Kumar's job at ECNV can be done remotely, and she finds that she often gets more accomplished from home. "A lot of my job," explains Kumar, "is doing research on the computer and helping people apply for different jobs or benefits, helping with resumes or interview skills, and peer counseling, which I can do over the phone."
Another facet of Kumar's job is coaching consumers to become their own advocates and helping them find affordable assistive equipment. She also started "Connect4 Social Hour," a social networking group for young professionals with disabilities that meets at various venues in the northern Virginia area.
Many of Kumar's colleagues at ECNV are people with disabilities. She notes that some consumers, particularly those with recently acquired disabilities, feel that disability benefits are equivalent to a handout. She tells consumers that benefits are credits built up from years of working and nothing to be ashamed about. "When they see me working and getting benefits," notes Kumar, "they think, 'Well, maybe I could eventually go back to work.'"
Work has always given Kumar a sense of purpose and structure. "You want to feel that you're actually a part of the rest of the world," she explains. "For a while I thought maybe it was okay that I not work, but I get so bored and disconnected from everything. To feel independent is the main thing — that feeling is amazing."
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When it comes to accounting, attention to detail clearly matters. Fortunately for one nonprofit organization based in Rockville, Maryland, Michael Adams is on the job.
For almost 10 years, Michael, who has an intellectual disability, has been an accounting assistant at the organization, where his main responsibility is finalizing the processing of accounts payable checks after they are printed. This entails stamping invoices as paid with the right check number and date, filing them, and packaging checks and invoice return stubs in envelopes to mail them. These duties are essential to the organization's financial recordkeeping, and Michael's coworkers appreciate his accuracy and speed in completing them.
Michael also shreds sensitive documents and takes check deposits to the bank, along with other tasks. A part-time employee, Michael also works at two other organizations, CHI Centers, Inc., a nonprofit that supports adults with developmental disabilities, and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory in Adelphi, Maryland. When not at work, Michael loves watching the Washington Redskins play. An overall sports fan, he also loves watching basketball, baseball and hockey.
Michael says he loves working overall and hopes to try many different jobs in the future, because employment provides him a sense of purpose and a good way to spend his time. He likes knowing that he's fulfilling the needs of different organization, he says. Also, he just enjoys being around people. According to his coworkers, the feeling is mutual.
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If you've ever seen a poster or picked up a brochure about topics such as child safety seats or drunk driving prevention, you might already be familiar with Kenny Allen's work. A graphic designer with a Federal contractor to the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Kenny is part of a prolific team that produces publications, websites and other materials to promote road safety.
What Kenny likes best about his job is the freedom to be imaginative and the chance to design atypical products, such as a 20-foot timeline display he developed for use at a national highway safety conference.
Although he always liked drawing as a child, Kenny didn't envision graphic arts as a career at first. He earned his degree in business from James Madison University, and shortly thereafter found himself working in database design. Later, he "lucked" into a position in graphic design. Because he was always inclined toward working with computers, it ended up offering a good way to mesh his technical and creative sides, he says.
Kenny, who has osteogenesis imperfecta and uses crutches to walk, works onsite at DOT's main headquarters in Washington, D.C. The agency's complex is fully accessible, and he doesn't need any accommodations to perform his job. When not in front of the screen, Kenny likes to take in the broad view through travel. During a visit to Barcelona, he was especially enchanted with the city's architecture and cityscape, photos of which adorn his workspace.
Kenny feels graphic design is a good career option for many people, including people with disabilities, because it draws upon a variety of skills, including ingenuity. As a person with a disability, "sometimes you have to come up with creative ways of doing things just in daily life," Kenny says. "So a creative career can work well for people who are already used to thinking differently."
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Munir Bashir helps power a high-voltage workplace. As team leader for merchandising and special promotions at a large electronics retailer's store in Springfield, Virginia, he spends his days making sure the store's current of products flows smoothly, from the loading dock to the sales floor.
Typically, Munir starts the morning by meeting with his team members about the things needing to be done that day. Then it's his job to make sure everyone understands and stays on task. His team's responsibilities range from ensuring shipment arrivals at the store's back door go smoothly, to creating and maintaining merchandise displays on the sales floor. Given the size of the store, this means Munir is nearly always in motion.
Communication is key to his success as a team leader, Munir says. He takes pride in his communication skills, not only because they make him more effective at his job, but also because he is deaf. As a result, he uses a lot of non-verbal communication tools, such as print outs and display schematics. He also reads lips. Munir knows sign language, a skill that also allows him to assist store customers who may be deaf; however, he doesn't use an interpreter to carry out his daily job responsibilities.
What Munir likes best about his job is the atmosphere — not only because he's a techie himself, but also because of his employer's emphasis on respect and communication. He originally applied at the store as a way to learn more about computers, but he's gained much more in knowledge and expertise in the three years since he was hired.
Munir hopes his success can help other people with disabilities, especially young people, also understand the benefits they can gain — and offer — in the workplace. "My advice is to convince an employer you can do the job and that you are alright with who you are," he says. "Don't get discouraged. Go for it. No matter who you are, just keep that positive mindset."
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Helen Chang is a self-proclaimed techie. A web developer with a multi-national technology services corporation, she spends the majority of her time writing code for computer applications. Her employer is a Federal contractor, and Helen works for the company's defense division, which services the U.S. Department of Defense by developing custom websites and systems to help its various components run more efficiently from a technological perspective.
Helen first became interested in her line of work when she took a course in computer science during her freshman year at the University of Texas at Austin. She liked it so much she decided to pursue it as her major. Upon graduation, she applied for and accepted her position at her employer's facility in Falls Church, Virginia, where she has worked since May 2010. Accompanying her to work each day is her service dog, Watkins.
By its very nature, Helen's job necessitates using cutting-edge technology. For Helen, who is blind, this includes various assistive technology tools, such as screen reader and optimal character recognition (OCR) software, which enables her to review printed and scanned documents. She also uses an electronic Braille note-taking device.
For other young people with visual impairments who are interested in a high-tech career, Helen advises that curiosity and an open mind are the keys to success. "Be open to learning new technologies and software, anything that will help you be successful on the job," she says. Likewise, she hopes industry employers will keep an open mind about the skills and talents people with disabilities have to offer. Clearly, Helen's employer benefitted by doing so.
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Most parents will tell you that raising children is the most rewarding job they've ever had — and also the hardest. As a family counselor and director of parenting education for a YMCA Youth & Family Services branch, Rob Guttenberg offers support, helping parents better navigate the complexities of family life and improve their capabilities and confidence.
Following undergraduate studies at Brown University, Rob earned a master's degree in counseling psychology from Bowie State College in 1979. Four years later, at age 29, he suffered a brain hemorrhage that resulted in severe physical and cognitive impairments. Initially, he was unable to walk, speak or write. With extensive rehabilitation, he regained those abilities, but with permanent physical and cognitive disabilities; he wears a leg brace and has left-side neglect, which causes significant short-term memory problems.
Rob was initially discouraged from returning to his counseling career following the hemorrhage. He disregarded the advice, but it wasn't an easy path, he says. He worked for the YMCA previously and wanted to do so again. There were aspects of the job he wasn't capable of performing, such as driving children in vans, but he convinced his employer that what he could do outweighed what he couldn't do. "I said just hire me, and what I'll do will overshadow that," he says.
A milestone was learning to drive again, which allowed him to work in various locations and resume counseling. Today, Rob works out of two offices and lectures in schools, libraries and other community centers throughout the Washington, D.C. area. A Diplomate in Adlerian Psychology, he has taught domestically and abroad, including a two-week course on music therapy in Lithuania. A performing songwriter, he also delivers disability-awareness workshops featuring original songs and compelling messages learned along his road to recovery.
On the road or in the office, several accommodations help Rob stay productive. To help with his short-term memory deficit, he uses a digital voice recorder to take notes, and voice-recognition software to document them. An employer-provided smart phone assists with scheduling. Because he has difficulty synthesizing written information, he also has staff assist with monthly and quarterly reporting requirements. In addition, his job itself has a lot of flexibility, allowing him to manage not only his disabilities, but also life as a parent himself.
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Meghan Jones is a woman on the move. When not working on her forthcoming book or doing volunteer work, the Rockville, Maryland resident juggles two part-time jobs, one at a grocery store, where she does a variety of general duties, and the other at a non-profit organization, where she is an office clerk. Her enthusiasm makes her a valued team member at both. So does her speed at getting things done.
Meghan, who has Down syndrome, had several work experiences before finishing school, both paid and unpaid. These included volunteering in schools and working part-time at Target, a Project SEARCH placement at the National Institutes of Health, and an internship at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. For some of these experiences, she had the support of a job coach through Maryland's Division of Rehabilitation Services.
Meghan's long-term employment goal is to work in an office full time, especially one where she can put her sign language skills to use. Although still working toward that goal, her employment path thus far clearly illustrates the importance of early work experiences. Furthermore, they demonstrate the critical role family members play in helping people with disabilities grow up expecting to work. Meghan's parents set high expectations for her; in turn, she set them for herself.
The book Meghan is writing is about growing up as a person with Down syndrome. Through it, she hopes to dispel misconceptions and break down barriers for others, especially when it comes to employment, which is such an important part of life, she says. In fact, the non-profit where Meghan works focuses on improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Working two jobs and writing a book doesn't leave Meghan with a huge amount of downtime, but when she does manage to find some, she enjoys being with her family and singing, which seems particularly fitting. Whether at work or play, she's determined to make herself heard.
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For a grocery store that prides itself on service with a smile, Charlene Lo is a model employee. A cashier at a large supermarket in suburban Bethesda, Maryland, Charlene is well known among regular patrons for her helpful service and friendly disposition. According to her supervisor, she exemplifies the store's pledge to provide outstanding service.
In fact, when Charlene's on shift, many patrons purposely seek her aisle out. Customers at her location include a lot of working families, so on weekdays things get especially hectic in the early evening, as people stop in on their way home from work to pick up items for dinner. They appreciate Charlene, who has use of only one hand, for her accuracy and speed at scanning and bagging items — as well as for her welcoming smile at the end of a busy day.
Charlene can certainly relate, because her days are busy too. In addition to working three days a week at the supermarket, she is a student at a local college, where she's studying to be a graphic designer. She became interested in graphic design because she has always loved art, and sees it as a way to turn her talent and passion into a fulfilling and flexible career path for the future. If Charlene's positive outlook and "can do" attitude at the store are any indicators, it's a future that looks very bright for this dynamic young woman.
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Anyone who works in a busy office understands the value of a good receptionist, especially in a fast-paced, client-based business. Jeffrey Krauthamer's employer certainly does. For nearly 20 years, Jeffrey's exceptional organizational and office management skills have benefitted the attorneys and clients at a Chevy Chase, Maryland law firm.
Put simply, it is Jeffrey's job to ensure the firm's administrative side runs smoothly. He manages the phones, fax and incoming regular and electronic correspondence, and welcomes onsite visitors. Typically, he is the first person a client speaks to when contacting the business, helping to create a positive and professional impression.
The firm specializes in the areas of wills, estates, trusts and elder law and represents individuals and families with special needs. As such, Jeffrey is often trusted to handle confidential information. Jeffrey, who has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, gets to work using MetroAccess, Washington, D.C.'s shared-ride, door-to-door paratransit service for people with disabilities. Using this service allows him to be independent, something he values in both his professional and personal lives.
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Elaine Robnett Moore's jewelry illustrates her outlook on life. "Nothing is a mistake, everything has a purpose, everything is perfect in its own way," she says. "You may have to look a little harder to see it, but it's there."
Elaine is an accomplished jewelry designer whose pieces blend beads and other elements, such as natural wood and fibers, rocks and shells, and pieces of bottle glass and unusual shapes of metal. According to her, whatever is found on life's pathways can be made beautiful with the right combination. "I find some of the best things to work with are the treasures that I convert to beads that others would throw away," she says. "The challenge is to see the beauty in it."
Elaine, who has arthritis, has been designing jewelry for more than 20 years, and her pieces, each one unique, are worn by women across the country and the globe. Her business acumen also spans the world — as an international development consultant, she teaches women in West Africa and the Caribbean how jewelry-making skills can better their lives through micro-business development. She also conducts workshops with low-income women within the United States.
Before dedicating herself to jewelry making full time, Elaine was a business consultant, travel agency owner and real estate broker. During those years, she enjoyed beading only as a hobby. When friends encouraged her to sell her pieces, she pursued the challenge and succeeded in selling pieces to the gift shop at the National Museum of African Art and other Smithsonian Institutions.
As she ages, Elaine is adjusting her working methods to accommodate her arthritis. She tries to do less of those things that aggravate the condition outside of jewelry making and also has someone assist her with knotting. She also suffers from migraines and carpal tunnel syndrome, though she refuses to let them slow her down. "It's not about what you can't do, it's about what you can and want to do — and doing it," she says.
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According to Patty Rivas, high expectations and a positive attitude are two key ingredients for success in life and work. Together with members of her family, Patty owns and operates a convenience market in Derwood, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. Catering to the area's sizable Latin community, the store specializes in packaged products from Central and South America, and also stocks staples such as fresh milk, produce and meat.
Like many small business owners, Patty's workday runs the gamut, encompassing everything from helping customers, ordering stock and running the register to bookkeeping, paperwork and promotion. And she often works seven days a week.
Patty, who has paraplegia and uses crutches to walk and sometimes a wheelchair, decided to join members of her family in opening the store because it seemed like an exciting challenge and the idea of being her own boss appealed to her. She holds a master's degree in social work and was a social worker before becoming an entrepreneur; it's a career she may consider returning to in the future.
According to Patty, her disability was never a consideration in either career, and a big factor in her success has been the support of family and friends. "Everyone around me has always said, 'You can do it,' so I just always felt I could," she says. "I don't think a disability should limit someone's opportunities or their goals. We are equal individuals and can do the same work."
To see Patty at work — and several other talented individuals with disabilities — view the "I Can" public service announcement on the Campaign for Disability Employment's What can YOU do? website. Patty is also featured on one of the Campaign's posters, available in both English and Spanish.
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When military personnel transition into the civilian workforce, their employers stand to benefit. The ability to adapt, learn quickly and get the job done exemplify the military experience. They also exemplify Matthew Staton, a veteran who today continues to serve his country in a civilian capacity, as staff assistant to the Secretary of the Army.
Like Matthew, many of today's service members return home from tours of duty with combat-related injuries that can interfere with everyday activities, including employment. Two such conditions are Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Matthew was exposed to multiple bomb blasts in Iraq in 2003 and 2004 and was medically discharged from the Army for TBI and PTSD, as well as complications from gunshot wounds.
Upon receiving his diagnoses, Matthew obtained needed medical assistance, but the non-medical help he also received has made just as significant of an impact in helping him resume a successful life and career, he says. Both on and off the job, Matthew struggles with short-term memory problems. To help him with this issue, he uses a variety of tools, including personal digital assistants, a digital voice recorder and other assistive technologies.
Matthew obtained these accommodations through the Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP), which provides assistive technology and services to employees with disabilities in the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal agencies — free of charge. In 2004, CAP expanded to specifically target the needs of wounded warriors, due to the rise in injuries stemming from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since then, its "Support, Equip and Empower" program has fulfilled more than 14,000 requests. And once assistive technology is provided through the program, service members and veterans can keep it, even if they leave federal employment.
Whether public or private sector, America's employers have a great deal to gain from the skills and experience of veterans — and an important role to play in ensuring their success in the workplace. Often, a few simple adaptations are all that is needed to support a dedicated, skilled employee who, like Matthew, has sacrificed in service to others.
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Niki Swann is a woman who knows how to turn words into action. An adjunct professor at a community college in Richmond, VA, Niki teaches English composition to students seeking to improve their writing skills as they prepare for future careers. As Ms. Wheelchair Virginia 2010, she spreads messages about the abilities and needs of people with disabilities in order to promote positive change — both architectural and attitudinal — in her home state.
Niki obtained her teaching position through a fellowship program with the Virginia Community College system. What she likes best about it is getting to know her students and seeing their progress over the course of a semester. She especially enjoys seeing the look on students' faces when they finally master something that previously perplexed them — the "aha!" moments.
Educating is also at the heart of Niki's advocacy work as Ms. Wheelchair Virginia 2010. Her title brings her to all corners of the state as well as Washington, D.C., for speaking engagements and meetings with policymakers to discuss the need for better access and opportunities for Virginians with disabilities. Niki's disability is a result of a spinal cord injury from a car accident when she was 16.
When not advocating or teaching, Niki focuses on her own studies — she is in the final stage of her master's degree in English literature at Virginia Commonwealth University. Combining her love of literature and advocacy work, her thesis examines 18th century gothic novels and their perception of disability. When she completes her master's degree, Niki hopes to pursue her doctorate and continue teaching and researching at the college level.
In all her work, Niki puts her own experience into words to encourage others with disabilities, especially young people with disabilities, to set their sights high. "Never let anyone, or society in general, tell you that your dreams aren't within your reach," she says. "What we can accomplish is all a matter of our own perceived boundaries."
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What would you do if you had one year to live? As a question, it's almost cliché. Yet it's something Tim Tate was forced to ponder when, more than two decades ago, he was diagnosed as HIV positive and told he would die within one year. He defied the prediction, but contemplated its inherent question.
At the time, Tim was working as a family therapist, but felt compelled to leave behind some kind of legacy, especially for his young niece and nephew. So he signed up for evening glass art lessons. He learned quickly, and soon dedicated himself to glass full time, through both teaching and his own sculpting.
After about 10 years, his doctors stopped repeating their annual prediction, Tim says. By that time he had already ensured his legacy — not only to his family, but also to the thousands of people around the world who have benefitted from his instruction and viewed his sculptures. In June 2001, Tim co-founded the Washington Glass School in Mt. Rainier, Maryland, located just over the Washington, D.C. border. Today it is the second largest warm glass school in the country, having served more than 4,000 students since its opening.
Tim's sculptures have been featured in exhibits in Berlin and London, and his work is in the permanent collections of several museums, including the Smithsonian Institution's American Art Museum and the Mint Museum. He also teaches workshops overseas and in the United States, including at the renowned Penland School of Crafts in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.
Tim also creates commissioned pieces, including works for several public spaces in and around Washington, D.C., and won the international competition to create the New Orleans AIDS Monument, unveiled in 2008. Given the genesis of his life as an artist, the latter is especially important to him.
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Ricardo Thornton works in a bookworm's natural habitat. A clerk at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C., he spends his days among books. Whether fiction or non-fiction, paperback or hardback, bestseller or literary unknown, chances are they have passed through Ricardo's hands.
Ricardo's main responsibilities include sorting, stamping and shelving books and other clerical duties. He likes working both independently and as part of the library's larger team, and takes great pride in ensuring that patrons are satisfied with the branch's service and collection. "If the public is happy, we're happy," he says with a smile.
Ricardo's success discredits common misconceptions about the skills of people with intellectual disabilities. He began by volunteering at the library as a young person 32 years ago, as part of a special education program. Ricardo enjoyed the experience and, working with a job coach, eventually gained the skills necessary to become a full-time paid employee. Even today, he continually seeks to expand his abilities; he is currently working on improving his computer skills.
Like a lot of library personnel, Ricardo himself loves to read, but doesn't have the time to do so as often as he'd like. Off the clock, he is an active advocate for people with intellectual disabilities, speaking about his experiences and serving as a role model, especially for young people. His message is, "If I can make it, so can you. Give it your best and the rest will follow. If you do that, you'll see yourself growing and growing every day."
An athlete and ambassador with Special Olympics, Ricardo has travelled as far as South Africa and Morocco. Closer to home, he has been an honored guest at the White House, where he and his family met former President Clinton. In addition to dedicated employee and advocate, Ricardo holds two other important positions — those of husband and father.
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Every day, Louise Thundercloud's job contributes not only to her own self-sufficiency, but that of others. As a home health care aide, she assists elderly people with disabilities with daily life and routines, allowing them to live in their homes and remain independent longer.
As a person with non-evident disabilities herself, including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Asperger's syndrome, Louise uses a range of coping strategies to assist her in carrying out her responsibilities and meeting clients' needs. OCD is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts and/or repetitive behaviors. Asperger's syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder, is also associated with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests, along with significant difficulties in social interaction.
Understanding these conditions firsthand and how they impact her gives Louise a unique perspective on the challenges her clients may face. Her current main client also has OCD, along with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Working part time as one of his caregivers, she assists him with activities of daily living. In addition to personal health care and hygiene, this may mean accompanying him to medical appointments, shopping or getting out and about in the city to a museum or the gym.
"I understand the challenges he faces. For instance, he has a compulsion to touch things he shouldn't, and I can recognize that look when he's struggling," she says. "He also has a fear of crossing the street, and I can relate to how he feels. So I'm working with him on that, and can be patient, because I truly understand."
When not working, Louise enjoys spending time with her adult daughter and expanding her extensive knowledge of her Native American heritage.
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Joy Levin Welan works to advance America's ideals. A trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, she helps enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other legislation. Her cases run the gamut, from accessibility to zoning discrimination, and all work toward the same goal — delivering the American promise of opportunity for all.
Joy obtained her position through the Attorney General's Honors Program, the only route to employment at her department for entry-level attorneys. Selection for the program is based on a number of factors, including academic achievement, law review or moot court participation, internships and clerkships, and relevant extracurricular activities. It's highly competitive, yet Joy made the cut — not surprising to anyone familiar with her resume.
In 2008, Joy earned her law degree, magna cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center, where she was on the staff of the Georgetown Law Journal. Her undergraduate degree is in women's studies from The George Washington University. As a student, she received numerous awards for excellence and activism. She also clerked for the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
Joy, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, doesn't require any accommodations to perform her job on a daily basis. When travelling for work, however, a personal assistant accompanies her to help her with the activities of daily living. Typically, she travels to conduct site visits related to cases she's working on.
As a young professional, Joy hopes her success encourages youth with disabilities to set their career sights high. "There is absolutely no reason why you can't be successful," she says. "There are really great opportunities out there to do work that really matters, not just in law but in a lot of fields. So go for it!"
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Anyone who has ever worked in a busy office understands the importance of organization. The employees at the Montgomery County, Maryland Department of Correction and Rehabilitation's Pre-Trial Services office certainly do — and fortunately have Camille Cain on their team to assist in achieving it.
Camille's main responsibilities include sorting and preparing files for use with clients. Like most employees, she has an on-site supervisor who oversees her day-to-day work. She also receives job coaching through a local support services provider. Her job coach drops in to the office every other week; while there she might model how to accomplish a particular task more efficiently, or simply talk to Camille about how things are going, both in and out of the workplace.
Camille, who has an intellectual disability, obtained her job through a customized employment program that works with the county's departments to assess staffing needs and identify people with disabilities qualified to meet them. Prior to being hired, she went through an interview process, including a work simulation. She works two days a week from 9.30 until 12.30 am and gets to and from work independently using MetroAccess, the Washington, D.C., region's shared-ride, door-to-door paratransit service for people with disabilities.
Camille's been in her position for nearly two years and enjoys a good rapport with her colleagues, who appreciate not only her conscientiousness, but also her sense of humor and "can do" attitude. This positivity certainly shines through when talking about her job. "I love my work," she says with pride.
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Mark Trezise is a detail-oriented employee in a detail-oriented workplace. Working at the Montgomery County, Maryland Department of Correction and Rehabilitation's Pre-Trial Services office, Mark's primary job responsibilities are filing and data entry. He is lauded for his attentiveness and accuracy, which are highly valued skills given the sensitive nature of the information that passes through his hands. His office works with public defendants, providing community monitoring and referral services to increase the likelihood of appearance for trial and reduce the risk of re-arrest.
Mark obtained his position with the county through a customized employment program that works with different departments to determine their workforce needs and identify people with disabilities who have the skills to fill them. He was selected through a working interview process, though his original job description encompassed only filing. However, after quickly discovering how fast he finished his duties, it was expanded to also include data entry.
Mark, who has multiple disabilities, receives onsite job coaching and other services through St. Coletta of Greater Washington, an organization that assists children and adults with intellectual disabilities and provides support to their families.
Attention to detail is something that serves Mark well off the clock as well. When not at the office, he enjoys designing intricate beaded jewelry and sells his pieces through St. Coletta's shops, which offer a variety of crafts by artisans with intellectual disabilities. St. Coletta's motto is "Seeing possibilities beyond disabilities," and its mission includes assisting individuals to discover and develop their skills and talents. Whether artistic or administrative in nature, Mark's work exemplifies this adage.
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The bookworms of Arlington, Virginia have a friend in RJ Martin. A clerk in the circulation department at the Arlington Country Central Library, RJ works hard to ensure that new and returned books are put onto the shelves quickly and accurately. His specialty is the young adult section, which caters to teenagers and is a popular place to meet and study in the late afternoon when the high school across the street lets out for the day.
RJ, who has Down syndrome, enjoys keeping his section organized and helping the library run smoothly, although he admits that, like most people, one of his favorite things about his job is getting paid. He works part time, from 10 am to 3 pm, five days a week. He actually began working at the library as a volunteer in 1998, and obtained his competitively paid position in 2005. Prior to that, he worked at a local grocery store, so he was already familiar to many of the library's patrons.
According to RJ's supervisor, he is a model employee and sets a good example for all of the library's employees in terms of both punctuality and productivity. However, the most important attribute he brings to the job is his positivity, she says. "He never has a bad day. He always arrives with a smile. He never has a problem getting his work done, and he gets along with everyone."
Camaraderie with colleagues is something RJ enjoys off the clock as well. He and his supervisor occasionally enjoy lunch together at a local Japanese restaurant, although RJ also likes cooking at home in his apartment, where he lives independently. When not working, RJ takes acting lessons, and several of his co-workers have seen him perform, to rave reviews. He has also taken computer classes at the Arlington Career Center and plays basketball two nights a week. On the court, on the stage or in the stacks, RJ continually seeks new ways to benefit from — and contribute to — his local community.
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Every day, Kirsten Davidson's work contributes to the safety and health of America's consumers and families. A federal employee who works at the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), Kirsten is responsible for a variety of tasks associated with managing incoming and outgoing mail for the agency, which handles a high volume of correspondence given its mission.
The CPSC is an independent federal agency charged with ensuring the safety of a wide range of consumer products, such as toys, cribs, power tools and household chemicals, to name just a few. Since it was established nearly 40 years ago, its work has contributed to a significant decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with such products.
Kirsten, who is blind and has an intellectual disability, has worked at CPSC for almost half of those years. She works in the Office of the Secretary, where her responsibilities include retrieving and opening letters, stamping them as received and getting them ready for further processing through CPSC's system. At the end of each month, she also assists in preparing mailings to companies whose products were the subject of recent consumer complaints.
Kirsten works part time and gets to CPSC's headquarters using MetroAccess, the Washington, D.C. region's shared-ride, door-to-door paratransit service for people with disabilities. When not working, she greatly enjoys traveling; she has been as far as Norway and Japan with her family and also travels independently to see relatives in Wisconsin.
Kirsten first came on board at CPSC as part of an effort to increase the employment of people with disabilities within the Federal workforce. Her office was in need of more clerical support, and Kirsten had the skills to help fill the gap. "From day one, she always wanted to be the best she can be, to do her job and do it very well," her supervisor says.
Over time, however, Kirsten has contributed more to her office than just her daily work. According to her supervisor, having Kirsten on staff has been a learning experience for all employees, and her positive attitude adds to the office's morale. When asked about her job, this aspect of her personality shines through. "I love it," Kirsten says. "The people I work with are wonderful." Judging by the awards of achievement hanging about her desk, it's obvious that her colleagues feel the same way about her.
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When Carson Bartlett is on duty, regular patrons at the fast-food establishment where he works know to expect a clean environment and a welcoming smile in the dining area. Carson's main responsibilities include tidying tables and generally helping customers if they need anything once they've received their order. He works three days a week, from 11 am — 2 pm, and is especially appreciated by fellow staff members and patrons during the busy lunch-hour rush.
Carson obtained his job through his local chapter of the Arc, an organization that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and promotes their full participation in the community. Today, the Arc continues to assist Carson through job coaching and transporting him to and from work. The organization is also helping him learn to navigate public transportation, and the goal is for him to be able to get to work and back independently over time.
When not on the clock, Carson is usually still out and about in his community. He likes going to the mall to shop for clothes and listening to country and western music. He also enjoys spending time with his older brothers and playing video games, especially tennis, boxing, bowling and golfing on the Wii.
According to his job coach, Carson's job is a great fit for him because social skills have always been his strength. So it's not surprising that the restaurant's manager has received many compliments about Carson's friendly disposition, from not only customers, but also coworkers. The feelings appear to be mutual; according to Carson, the thing he likes most about his job is the people he works with each day.
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Savvy supermarkets often attract customers with "two-for-one" deals. And one in Waldorf, Maryland, recently took the concept to a whole new level when, with one hire, it gained two new valuable employees, identical twins Edwin and Jeffrey Willie.
Although Edwin and Jeffrey work independently of each other, they work the same schedule and share the same basic responsibilities. On any given day, they bag patrons' groceries, gather carts from the parking lot, and handle general maintenance duties such as sweeping, mopping up spills, cleaning bathrooms and taking out trash. They also assist with price checks, and cashiers appreciate their speed in doing so because it helps them keep their lines moving, which is especially critical during crunch times. Currently, Edwin and Jeffrey work the same schedule, three days a week from 1 to 6 pm, helping to cover the busy early evening period when people stop in to pick up items for dinner.
For both Edwin and Jeffrey, who have intellectual disabilities, this is their first paying job, although it is not their first work experience. Previously, both did volunteer work at an assisted living facility in their community, so when they began working at the supermarket, they were already familiar to many of its patrons. While their parents typically transport them to and from work, Edwin and Jeffrey live close enough to walk and sometimes do, and greatly value the ability to work independently.
According to Edwin's and Jeffrey's job coach, the store environment is a good match for them because, in addition to being very capable, they are both naturally outgoing and friendly. These traits are clearly evident when they talk about how much they enjoy their work.
Like many siblings, Edwin and Jeffrey also have a lot in common outside of work. Both like camping, video games and sports, and compete in athletics themselves through Special Olympics. However, their interests diverge on one contentious issue — Jeffrey roots for their hometown Washington DC football team, while Edwin is a fan of the team's long-time rival, the Dallas Cowboys. But ever the conscientious employees, they leave the competition at home.
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When Brendan O'Neill shows up for work each day, he contributes to not only the health and vitality of northwest Washington State's residents, but also its economy. A clerk at Valley Medical Center in Renton, Washington, Brendan assists in ensuring mail pick-up and delivery at the large hospital complex goes smoothly.
Brendan has been working at Valley Medical for 18 years and is highly regarded among other employees for his reliability, accuracy and affable personality. For those 18 years, Brendan has been contributing to his employer and enjoying the satisfaction that comes from a good day's work. He has also been making money and paying taxes.
Brendan's path to integrated employment started when he was preparing to transition out of secondary school. He was in a special education class for students with multiple disabilities when his mother urged the school system to prepare him for a job in the community. She persisted against resistance, and Brendan started at Valley Medical shortly thereafter.
Today, Brendan is an example of the benefits of integrated employment to individuals, families, employers and communities. What's more, he and his mother serve as advocates for expanding opportunities for integrated employment in Washington State and nationwide. In fact, in November 2011, Brendan and his mother, along with his service provider and employer, traveled to Washington, D.C., to serve on a panel at a briefing for congressional staff on the topic.
"Few people thought he could work, but I did," says Joanne O'Neill, speaking of her son. After 18 years of Brendan's successful employment, she's certainly proven the naysayers wrong.
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Rajiv Shah thrives on trouble — troubleshooting that is. As a computer specialist in the public affairs office at the U.S. Department of State, his primary responsibilities include providing computer help desk and technical assistance to employees who work in-house and telecommute.
Rajiv's day starts the minute he arrives, when he assesses the log of calls that came in the night before and whether the problems reported were resolved or require additional technical assistance from him. While he's attending to any outstanding issues Rajiv, who is blind, is essentially doing double duty by also answering additional calls for assistance in real time. During any down time, he works on projects such as maintaining the agency's user list. All in all, it makes for very busy and eventful days.
A self-proclaimed "people person," Rajiv enjoys working with his colleagues and helping them when they have problems with their computers or smart phones. He feels his degree in languages and his love of international affairs, along with a general "geek" mentality, make him well-suited for the job.
Rajiv uses screen reader technology on his work computer and smart phone to help him do his job more efficiently. He was also recently instrumental in helping his Department install a special computer program on its server for troubleshooting issues, which allows him to log in as a support technician from work or home. Even though this system is still in the trial phase, Rajiv says it is working "superbly" and anticipates it will become permanent, allowing him more job flexibility.
Rajiv obtained his position through the Schedule A hiring authority, which allows federal agencies to hire and/or promote people with disabilities without going through the regular competitive hiring process. Individuals are eligible for a Schedule A appointment if they have a severe physical or mental disability and meet the qualifications of the job.
Rajiv credits his parents, first and foremost, for giving him the encouragement he needed to achieve his employment success. "Without their guidance, I wouldn't have been as comfortable with who I am today and my disability," he says. "I've learned what I can and cannot do, and to know when to ask for help." In addition, Rajiv cites the help desk manager at his previous job, in another federal agency, as being instrumental in teaching him the skills he needed to succeed professionally.
Rajiv acknowledges that there are daily challenges in his job because of his disability, such as understanding what is being described over the phone visually and converting that information into something he can then respond to and fix—for instance, if someone has a different font size or color in their document or their e-mail is not formatting correctly. However, with effective communication, he is usually able to resolve problems quickly, and in fact relishes the challenge. "I've amazed myself in what I can do," Rajiv says. "If you don't challenge yourself, you won't really know if you can or cannot do the job."
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"Keep moving!" That's the advice that Shirley Beck offers people with disabilities. And she demonstrates that mantra every day in her work as a self-employed pediatric physical therapist.
Shirley had already been practicing physical therapy for three years when, at age 26, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), an inflammatory disease that affects the nervous system. Even though she was told to "take it easy," she continued working in her field and ultimately formed her own practice that specializes in improving the quality of life for her patients.
Shirley's physical therapy studio is located in her home, where, day to day, she helps infants, children and young adults recover from injuries or improve their movement potential. She specializes in treatment through neuromuscular electrical stimulation and has also authored a book on Torticollis, an asymmetrical head or neck condition that is common in infants.
The primary symptoms of Shirley's MS include mobility issues and spasmodic dysphonia, a type of speech delay. While she can no longer walk unassisted, she leverages a range of devices and productivity enhancements—from a motorized scooter, to forearm crutches, to a home elevator that takes her to and from her studio. She also drives a specially outfitted ramp van, which she says contributes greatly to her independence and quality of life.
Entrepreneurship itself has also added to her quality of life by affording Shirley numerous work-life benefits. For example, being her own boss enables her to set her work schedule to accommodate her own medical and physical therapy appointments. She also has the freedom to "set up shop" in any location — a flexibility she put to use often over the years when her husband's job required her family to move frequently. Her flexible schedule also allows her to pursue her own personal interests such as family time and international travel and adventure, which has included skydiving and bungee jumping. "My disability does not slow me down," she says. And though she recently turned age 65, she has no plans to retire anytime soon!
Many of Shirley's young patients have disabilities as well, and her own experiences with MS help her relate to their emotions and needs. "I tell them my goal is to get them into better shape than I am," she says. "If I can keep moving and do a job I love, so can they."