Vocrehab Perspective, 2011
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Issue 1, 2011 VocRehab Perspective Winter 2011 AbilityAbility WoWorksrks AAwardward winnwinnersers honoredhonored atat ceremonyceremony In celebrationbi off Nationali li Disabilitybili Afterf a devastatingd i fallfll damagedd d Inside Employment Awareness Month, the his spine and left him unable to walk, this issue Division of Rehabilitation Services Cowie learned that DRS had resources DRSDRS participatesparticipates honored six Ability Works Award that could help him return to work. in MultiFestMultiFest winners on Oct. 13 at the West Later he met with his DRS vocational p.p. 3 Virginia Culture Center Theater at the rehabilitation counselor to discuss DDRSRS honors EmployersEmployers State Capitol Complex, Charleston. employment options, available resources ooff the Year Department of Education and the and his goals. With help from DRS, he pp.. 4 Arts Cabinet Secretary Kay Goodwin had hand controls installed in his truck, ThirThirdd annualannual summsummerer campcamp delivered keynote remarks. so that he could get to and from work. pp.. 6 "We come together to recognize the Cowie is happily and successfully CConsumeronsumer Affairs accomplishments of six individuals who employed at ALCO Manufacturing CConferenceonference 20120100 have achieved their employment goals," pp.. 7 that makes products to assist people, said Cabinet Secretary Kay Goodwin. including those with disabilities. His DDRSRS annannualual "We honor them for their abilities and trainintrainingg conference supervisor describes him as a great their tremendous determination to pp.. 8 employee with a strong work ethic succeed. They represent the thousands NNationalational ppublicublic and a positive attitude. aawarenesswareness campaicampaigngn of West Virginians served by the division pp.. 8 each year." Michael Carothers, Clarksburg District DDRSRS ememployeesployees receive James Cowie III, Charleston District, ichael SSA awarawardsds pp.. 9 state winner MCarothers, 23, of Franklin, Grant awarded ttoo ames Cowie WV Humanities CCouncilouncil JIII, 42, of Pennsylvania pp.. 1100 Charleston is a is a career DDRSRS susupervisorpervisor mechanic and counselor with cocontributesntributes ttoo metal fabricator the Venango AAccessWorldccessWorld articlearticle Training and pp.. 1111 for ALCO Manufacturing in Development AAssistancessistance to ememployersployers Center and frfromom JAN St. Albans and the pp.. 1111 state winner of the the Clarksburg District Ability BBaseballaseball ggameame 2010 Ability Works increaincreasesses awarenessawareness Award. Works Award winner. Carothers is a pp.. 1122 former resident of Bridgeport. Ability Works Awards He first met with his DRS vocational Dunbar is the survivor of a motor vehicle rehabilitation counselor to ask about future accident that nearly killed her and caused a employment options, training and resources. traumatic brain injury that threatened to rob her After he and the counselor assessed his interests, of her ability to work. When she contacted DRS talents and abilities, Carothers decided to become a about working toward competitive employment, secondary education teacher. After graduating high her DRS vocational rehabilitation counselor school, he attended West Virginia Wesleyan College provided guidance counseling, testing, résumé in Buckhannon to earn a Bachelor of Science degree assistance and job search help. Dunbar supplied the in sociology. DRS provided financial assistance for most important elements for vocational success: that, and links to other assistance. Now he is a well- persistence and hard work. respected professional working with high school According to her rehabilitation counselor, Dunbar students to help them set and achieve their adult is a perfect fit for the information specialist job, employment goals. because of her strengths that include a proclivity Katrina Blankenship, for neatness, people skills, organizational skills and Wheeling District internal motivation for work excellence. Moreover, Dunbar said, she loves the job. atrina Blankenship, K36, of West Union is Krystal Baumann, an office assistant at the Huntington District Doddridge County Day rystal Report Center and the KBaumann, 23, Wheeling District winner of Huntington is a of the 2010 Ability Works algebra teacher at Award. Huntington High Blankenship has cerebral palsy and sought DRS School and the vocational guidance and job placement assistance Huntington District to work from her home. However, when an winner of the 2010 employment specialist became aware of a sheriff’s Ability Works Award. department job opening that appeared to be a good As a freshman at fit, Blankenship embraced the job and impressed Alice Lloyd College in Kentucky, Baumann lost her her former supervisor, Doddridge County Sheriff left foot and lower left leg as a result of a car wreck. Worthy Underwood. Her father, an assistant high school principal, knew When the federal grant funding her position about DRS, so he helped his daughter apply. expired, Sheriff Underwood recommended her for Baumann persevered through the challenges of an office assistant job at the Day Report Center. recovery while refusing to give up on her goal of Her supervisor, Tammy Satterfield, speaks highly of becoming a math teacher. Upon returning to college, Blankenship’s punctuality, organizational skills and she took heavy course loads and completed her four- cooperative attitude. year teaching degree on time. DRS helped along the way with some vocational counseling and assistance Shannon Dunbar, with books and supplies. Beckley District In August 2009, the Cabell County Board of hannon Dunbar, 36, Education hired Baumann to teach algebra at of Gap Mills, Monroe S Huntington High. Later when a vacancy for a County, is an information coach of the girl volleyball team occurred, she specialist at the Greenbrier enthusiastically took on the second role to help the Valley One Stop in the school and students. Fairlea area and the Beckley District winner of the 2010 Ability Works Award. Veronica Wilson, Martinsburg District eronica Wilson, 38, of Berkeley Springs is a stained glass artist with Frog VValley Artisans and the Martinsburg District winner of the 2010 Ability Works Award. When multiple sclerosis impaired her endurance, coordination and balance, fellow artisans encouraged Wilson to contact DRS to find ways to continue her job. A DRS rehabilitation counselor worked with Wilson to provide workplace accommodations that empowered Wilson to continue her art career. DRS purchased Wilson a mobility scooter and lift for her van to help with her mobility challenges and fatigue. Rehabilitation engineers designed and built her a custom work table, as well as a network of decks to connect the cluster of buildings on the seven-acre grounds of Frog Valley Artisans. DRS participates in MultiFest ince 2008, DRS has spearheaded a Excellence in Disabilities; Appalachian Center for collaborative to sponsor an exhibit at Independent Living; Mountain State Centers for SMultiFest. The 21st annual Multicultural Independent Living; and the Northern WV Center Festival of West Virginia occurred Aug. 6-8 on for Independent Living. Participants contributed the State Capitol grounds in Charleston. The by providing volunteers to staff the booth and by objective of the informational booth was to expand making available a wealth of information about awareness of festival goers about the rights and services and benefits available from their respective potential of people organizations. with disabilities. Although the In addition to DRS, mission of each entity collaborative members differs, all partners include representatives share a common from over one dozen focus on the history, organizations such contributions, shared as the state ADA interests, needs and (Americans with potential of people Disabilities Act) with disabilities. Coalition; Fair The Multicultural Shake Network; WV Festival seeks to Advocates; State enrich the community Rehabilitation Council; by providing a venue Statewide Independent to celebrate diversity Living Council; WV for all citizens through art, music, education, Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; cultural programs and cuisine. Events like this Developmental Disabilities Council; WV Mental provide an opportunity to assist DRS in its Health Consumers Association; WVU Center for outreach efforts. DRS honors Employers of the Year Pictured here are Jan Smith of The Op Shop, Clarksburg District; Chuck Wickline of Sweet Springs Valley Water Co., Beckley District; DRS Director Deborah Lovely; Anita West of RPR Industries, Charleston District; Rose Smith of WorkForce West Virginia, Huntington District; and Dennis Engle of Food Lion Supermarkets, Martinsburg District. he Division of Rehabilitation Services RPR Industries was nominated and selected recognized six employers at an Employer for going above and beyond in working with TRecognition Banquet at Stonewall Jackson DRS to provide an on-the-job training program Resort on Sept. 23. One employer from each of the to allow a client to learn the job of packaging six DRS districts received an award. clerk. The company willingly accommodated the “This banquet is a way for us to show our client's needs related to his disability. The client's appreciation to the businesses nominated motivation and strong desire to be a productive and selected by our vocational rehabilitation employee has become an inspiration to others in professionals for their consideration and the company. contributions to the employment of our clients," said