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Changing disability to ability through awareness

  • Published
  • By Roland Balik
  • 436 Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  National Disability Employment Awareness Month was observed here during the month of October with the goal of educating base personnel about disability employment issues and opportunities, as well as recognizing contributions workers with abilities rather than disabilities have made.

This year's national theme was: "Expect. Employ. Empower."  Applying the theme at the local level was met with enthusiasm by eight NDEAM committee members from a number of different units across the base.

"Our goal is two-pronged," said Sonya Dyer, 436th Force Support Squadron school liaison officer and NDEAM project officer. "One was to raise awareness about the fact that individuals with disabilities can work, have professional careers and lead productive lives. Secondly, was to bring awareness of a person with abilities rather than disabilities."

In October, NDEAM committee members placed disability employment awareness posters in numerous work areas across the base, distributed NDEAM information to personnel entering the base, held a youth poster contest and wrapped up the month by hosting an Awareness Luncheon and Wellness & Exceptional Family Member Program Information Fair, October 28th at The Landings, here.

Kim Utley, store manager of the AbilityOne Base Supply Center, a division of Blind Industries and Services of Maryland, here, is directly responsible for Base Service Store, was one of the most recognizable members on the NDEAM committee this year.

"The reason why I chose to get involved with the committee is because I am a person with a disability," said Utley. "Being a visually impaired person, I'm about educating others about who I am and the many different services we provide here."

Coming up the company ranks since November 1997, as store manager, she is responsible for the Base Service Store, Individual Equipment and Hazardous Material operations totaling 4.8 million dollars in sales, of which $900,000 came from AbilityOne sales.

"A part of what I do here as manager of the base supply center is to coach and support people through their learning process," said Utley. "I am training people who are just like me that are disabled while being a mentor, leader or somebody they can look up to and help them gain confidence and more competent in what they do not only here but in their daily lives as well."

Talking with, looking at or not knowing Utley would lend you to believe she is not visually impaired.

"My company is guided through the National Industries for the Blind to promote National Disability Employment Awareness Month," said Utley.

There are also a number of disabled Department of Defense civilian employees working on the base providing meaningful services to the base and personnel.

Bringing awareness to the forefront, one of the more noticeable signs making base personnel aware of a hearing impaired employees crossing heavily traveled streets by the main Shoppette and the aerial port, are three signs stating "Caution deaf persons in area," warning drivers to be extra cautious, stated Dyer.

"A lot of people have disabilities that are not visible," said Lloyd Schmitz, Awareness Luncheon guest speaker. "Military people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and traumatic brain injuries are out there, not just people who are blind, deaf or in a wheelchair."

Schmitz, a Delaware resident, has experienced various stages of blindness throughout his life due to cataracts, detached retinas and glaucoma, is a strong advocate for competitive gainful employment of individuals with disabilities.

"This doesn't mean working in a sheltered workshop for 21 cents an hour," said Schmitz. "It means above minimum wage."

Attending the luncheon with Schmitz was his wife, Kathleen, who is also visually impaired; and his Leader dog, Sophie, a four-year old Yellow Labrador Retriever.

During the Awareness Luncheon, Dyer presented certificates of appreciation to Brian Frederickson, AbilityOne Base Supply Center retail associate, and Utley, in recognition as ability ambassadors for their outstanding service and support of the EFMP information fair.

"Here at Team Dover, we say that everybody brings value to the team," said Col. Michael Grismer, 436th Airlift Wing commander. "One of our strengths in the Air Force is our diversity."

To learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month and throughout the year, visit the Office of Disability Employment Policy website at www.dol.gov/odep/.