Share Helen Keller’s vision by participating with agencies and organizations worldwide in the Helen Keller National Center 1999 Awareness Campaign which focuses on the employment of people who are deaf-blind who are skilled, highly motivated, hard working and reliable employees.
This year’s campaign features a young woman, Cindy Gagnon, who was born deaf-blind and has mild cerebral palsy. She works full-time assisting with floral design packaging at one of the retail shops owned by the world’s largest florist, 1-800-FLOWERS. After completing a one-year’s training at HKNC, she moved to a supportive residence where she met her husband. They live in their own apartment, and Cindy shops, cooks and cares for their home. Though she was an independent traveler, she had to learn a new route to work, including boarding a bus and crossing seven streets.
Isaiah Brown, district store manager, said, "Cindy doesn’t goof off, she’s on top of her work and sometimes I think we’re too slow giving her assignments. She’s part of the team here, no one sees her as deaf-blind and everyone communicates with her."
When asked about her job, Cindy smiled and replied, "I like it very much. I pack the flowers. I make good money there, and like my boss."
The unemployment and underemployment of America’s citizens with disabilities remain an ongoing problem, according to a Training Resource Network newsletter (Dec.’98/Jan.99). Data from the US Census Bureau, FY 1996, indicate tha5t less than 33% of adults with disabilities were in the labor force. Also, a large gap in earnings exists between the median monthly wages of people without disabilities and workers with disabilities.
Fifteen years ago people with severe disabilities, such as deaf-blindness, were considered unemployable. "Providing support to individuals with disabilities in community employment has produced tremendous success for many," notes Kathy Mezack, HKNC vocational services coordinator. "The growth of supported employment has been unprecedented the past few years. Starting with only a small number of people in the early 80’s, approximately 150,000 individuals previously not given a chance at any job now hold one. A 30- year study by Dupont found that loyalty is high and turnover rates are low among people who are disabled. 86% of employers say that the attendance of these workers is above average. Today, more deaf-blind people are receiving educational and vocational training in preparation for employment. We know that matching an individual’s work skills and preferences with the proper job is critical in achieving mutual success for employee and employer, and building a career is a personal choice. But, outdated organizational, societal and employer attitudes and policy barriers still limit employment. NOT THE CAPACITIES OF DEAF-BLIND PEOPLE. Like Cindy, deaf-blind people do work at a host of jobs from computer/data entry to food service, teacher, retail clerk, attorney, electronic assembler, chef and more."
Originally proclaimed by Congressional resolutions and Presidential signature 15 years ago, AWARENESS activities and events featuring information about significant vision and hearing loss, or deaf-blindness, now occur throughout the year, Beginning in June, the month of Helen Keller’s birth date.
All citizens, health organizations, civic groups, libraries, schools and agencies are encouraged to plan state and local activities during the month of June, and especially during the week of June 27-July 3. A sample proclamation, a radio public service script, list of activities, 1999 poster, ad slicks, and this press release are available at no cost from the Public Relations Department, Helen Keller National Center, 111 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, NY 11050, or by calling Barbara Hausman, 516-944-8900, ext. 325 (voice), 516-944-8637 (TTY), faxing 516-944-7302, or e-mail: hkncpr@aol.com
The Helen Keller National Center is the ONLY national program, which provides short-term comprehensive vocational rehabilitation and assistance with jobs and residential placement for ALL AMERICANS who are deaf-blind. Local services offered nationwide to these individuals, their parents and professionals in the field through HKNC’s ten regional offices, some 44 affiliated agencies, a National Training Team, Older Adult Program, National Technical Assistance Consortium for Children ∓Young Adults Who Are Deaf-Blind (NTAC) and D-B Link. The center partially funds a National Family Association for Deaf-Blind.
Original address of this page:
http://www.focusnewsletter.org/helenkel.htm
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