Jobs and the disabled

By Darin Stageberg

Last weekend, Peg McNichol wrote an excellent article titled "Wanting to work" in the Southeast Missourian. I want to thank her for writing such an important article on a population that wants to be involved and integrated into the community, especially in the workplace.

Civil rights laws and community-based programs have been implemented in recent years to promote and enhance the integration of individuals with disabilities into the community.

Much of this success belongs to state agencies such as Vocational Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, which specifically provide support, guidance and services to youths and adults with disabilities. Not only do professionals representing these state agencies serve as an asset to consumers, but also to parents, guardians, educators, employers, and other important patrons in the community.

The system is far from being perfect in meeting the needs of this population as a whole (medical, education, transportation, employment, housing). However, Vocational Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Services for the Blind provide a wide array of services that allow individuals with disabilities to make great strides in meeting their needs and goals in life.

The beauty of these agencies is that they provide support, guidance and services on an individual basis, not as a class or group combined, because needs differ from one individual to another regardless of their disabilities. One individual may receive vocational training, while another person will receive job placement and job coaching services. It gives them hope that they can and will become productive members (and taxpayers) of the community.

The comment made by Dennis Marchi of Schnucks -- "In most cases, a high percentage become good, productive workers. You can count on them. They're on time, very flexible in their schedules, and they enjoy working." -- is a wonderful testimony to hear from a highly visible member of the community.

These individuals have skills, abilities and other qualifications that should attract and meet the needs of businesses in the community, despite having the largest unemployment rate among all cultural groups. So often they can be dismissed as potential employees because of how they see, talk, hear or walk.

Fortunately, employers such as Schnucks and many others such as Buchheit, McDonald's, Southeast Missouri Hospital and Super 8 Motel take the time to recognize the abilities and talents of today's candidates, not on their limitations. Again, the advocacy, training, job placement and other services they received from Vocational Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Services for the Blind enabled them to become marketable members in the competitive work force.

I can proudly lift off my cap and say thank you to Vocational Rehabilitation for the services I received from that state agency in the past, which is why I worked for this agency for nearly 10 years. It makes me feel proud when I see wonderful individuals -- with or without disabilities -- who just needed some help to overcome barriers in their lives to become successful participants in the community.

If you're a consumer, parent, educator or a patron in the community and you're interested in learning more about Vocational Rehabilitation, please contact Ron Parker at (573) 290-5788. If you're interested in learning about Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, please contact Donald Goosens at (573) 472-5247. If you're an employer who is interested in seeking qualified candidates to meet the needs of your business, please feel free to contact Tameka Randle of Lakes Country Resource Center at 334-9344.

Darin Stageberg is program manager at Lakes Country Resource Center in Cape Girardeau.