Meet Charlie Zawacki
Charlie is employed by Navigant Credit Union as their mail clerk. He has worked for Navigant for a little over 9 years.
Gary Furtado, CEO of Navigant Credit Union, describes making the successful transition of employing Charlie a group effort.
Charlie is described by the CEO and co-workes as a valuable employee of Navigant. He is considered "one of the guys" and everyone talks about Charlie in a positive way explaining that he does his job conscientiously.
Some of Charlie's duties include delivering inter-office mail and outgoing mail. He describes his co-workers as courteous and says they are great people to work with.
"People with disabilities can get a job outside in the community, instead of working in a group home."
Charlie's final point about a person with disability working outside of a group home and in the community is a great point! Many times persons with disabilities are employed by "disabilities only" companies or groups, but most disabled persons hope to become an integrated part of society and work in the open job market.
The following video, disABILITY: Empowerment through Employment clearly demonstrates the importance of the social model of disability.
In this video you will learn about several individuals with disabilities and their jobs. You will hear how they feel about their jobs, what they like about working, and what having a job means to them. What I like about this video is that it doesn't broadcast the disabilities that the people in the video have. It focuses on their ability to work and do their given job.
The video begins with a quote from president Bill Clinton that states, "Work is about more than making a living, as vital as that is. It's fundamental to human dignity, to our sense of self-worth as useful, independent, free people."
Jeffery (:35)
Jeffery has worked for SW Resources, Inc. for 15 years. He enjoys his job and basically does what ever the company needs him to do. He prides himself on earning a paycheck every two weeks.
Rodney
Rodney works for Job Squad, Inc. He inspects cars and works on big trucks.
Scott (4:45)
Scott works for Goodwill Industries of the Kanawha Valley, Inc. Scott was homeless, but he got a job working at the Capital Complex through Goodwill and now has his own apartment.
Jennifer (5:31)
Jennifer also works for Goodwill Industries of Kanawha Valley, Inc. She was in foster care until the age of 19. She has worked for Goodwill for 7 years. Some of her job duties include: cleaning the restrooms, vacuum and cleaning the glass.
Mike (7:20)
Mike works for SW Resources, Inc. He makes signs and he likes doing so because he knows it will be used for many years. Mike does have mental illness and obsessive compulsive disorder, but work takes his mind away from all that. He has gained freedom to travel, buy a car, and pursue his hobbies.
Jerry (8:45)
Jerry works for Integrated Resources, Inc. He has worked in his job for 3 years. He does all kinds of jobs in the show. He likes to help people who need it. "You don't work, you don't make money."
No comments:
Post a Comment