For people with a disability, finding employment is difficult but not impossible, said two service providers for the disabled during the Bridges to Employment Conference in Miami, Florida.

Awareness and determination are key factors in finding employment. “You’ve got to get involved, know what your rights are as a person with a disability,” said Robert Lessne, a rehabilitation services specialist in Miami, Florida. In addition to being your own advocate, you need counselors and service providers who are strong supporters of their clients, Lessne added. “Counselors need to care about you. If I’m a counselor and I’m not doing a good job, fire me.”

Kevin Devine, program supervisor for Best Buddies Jobs in Miami, believes that, in fact, this may be the best time for persons with disabilities to get a job. “We are entering the retirement age for the baby boomer generation,” Devine said. “This is a golden opportunity for people with a disability to plug in to employment.”

According to Devine, 20 percent of people in the U.S. live with a disability; the majority is unemployed, and the more limitations a person has, the more it delays employment opportunities. “We can do better as a country,” Devine said. The key is to help employers see people for their abilities rather than their disabilities. His comments touched a nerve with the audience, who responded with a gush of questions and comments.

Ernest Meteze, who is hearing impaired and physically disabled, spoke through an interpreter: “I have been trying to look for a job for years, but they don’t want to provide interpreting services for me,” he said. “I’ve gotten a lot of training but no job so far. I feel sad, like my disability has taken over my life.”

Martha Fleitman, who works for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Miami, Florida, agreed. “For deaf people, it is very difficult to network. It’s just different for people who can’t speak.” Fleitman is hearing impaired and made her comments through an interpreter.

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