[Mt-blind] [Fwd: Blind worker finds his niche]

[Jerry Hutch]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Blind worker finds his niche
Date: 	Sat, 24 Mar 2007 13:16:17 -0400
From: 	BlindNews Mailing List <blindnews at blindprogramming.com>
Reply-To: 	blindnews at blindprogramming.com
To: 	<BlindNews at BlindProgramming.com>



Billings Gazette, MT, USA
Monday, March 19, 2007

Blind worker finds his niche

By LAURA TODE

Mike Baugh used to say good hand-eye coordination was a necessary attribute in new hires at his manufacturing business, Darcova Inc., which produces gaskets and cup seals for oil rigs.

Since hiring Jeff Haworth, Baugh has had to reconsider.

Haworth is legally blind, and that hasn't kept him from pulling his weight on the compression molding production line.

Haworth has retinitis pigmentosa, a deterioration of the retina. He has no peripheral vision, he said, and what narrow scope of vision he has is very limited. "What I see is like looking though a paper towel roll," he explained.

Lately, he's been operating a center punch, finishing cup seals, but he is trained on four machines. Last Monday, he trained on another machine. Most of what he does is by feel and through memorization.

"The guys that have been here awhile will set up the punches or the press for him," Baugh said. "They tell me they have to actually scramble to keep up with him."

Haworth fits right in with the crew in his dusty white lab coat. The factory is covered in a generous coat of graphite, a main ingredient in the manufacture of the cup seals, and the heavy machines, hydraulic and air compressor-driven, are like a dusty maze in the shop. But, with orientation, Haworth hasn't had trouble finding his way around, and his co-workers help him if he needs it.

"They really haven't had to make many accommodations for Jeff," Baugh said. "Jeff's had to make more accommodations to work with us."

Baugh said Haworth will probably have a chance to learn most of the processes on the production line, and when production picks up, he'll likely go from part-time to full-time. And full-time is what Haworth wants.

"Your ambitions and goals go down the tubes without an opportunity to do something," he said.

Before coming to Darcova, Haworth worked at Buttrey Food Store, and before coming to Billings he worked for Lighthouse for the Blind, in a division that was a subcontractor for the Boeing Co. in Seattle. He has always worked, and he likes the independence, socializing and the challenge that he's found on the job.

He was hired at Darcova through CORE Enterprises, a career development agency for people with disabilities. Haworth's job coach, Jan Ronning, helped with his orientation at Darcova and said he hasn't had any trouble learning how to use the equipment.

"He sets a good standard for anyone who works or wants to work," Ronning said. "He has an amazing work ethic."

Contact Laura Tode at ltode at billingsgazette.com or 657-1392. 

Published on Monday, March 19, 2007.
Last modified on 3/19/2007 at 12:45 am


http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/03/19/features/workweek/25-blind.txt

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-------------- next part --------------
-------- Original Message --------
Subject:
Blind worker finds his niche
Date:
Sat, 24 Mar 2007 13:16:17 -0400
From:
BlindNews Mailing List mailto:blindnews at blindprogramming.com <blindnews at blindprogramming.com>
Reply-To:
mailto:blindnews at blindprogramming.com blindnews at blindprogramming.com
To:
mailto:BlindNews at BlindProgramming.com <BlindNews at BlindProgramming.com>
Billings Gazette, MT, USA Monday, March 19, 2007 Blind worker finds his niche By LAURA TODE Mike Baugh used to say good hand-eye coordination was a necessary attribute in new hires at his manufacturing business, Darcova Inc., which produces gaskets and cup seals for oil rigs. Since hiring Jeff Haworth, Baugh has had to reconsider. Haworth is legally blind, and that hasn't kept him from pulling his weight on the compression molding production line. Haworth has retinitis pigmentosa, a deterioration of the retina. He has no peripheral vision, he said, and what narrow scope of vision he has is very limited. "What I see is like looking though a paper towel roll," he explained. Lately, he's been operating a center punch, finishing cup seals, but he is trained on four machines. Last Monday, he trained on another machine. Most of what he does is by feel and through memorization. "The guys that have been here awhile will set up the punches or the press for him," Baugh said. "They tell me they have to actually scramble to keep up with him." Haworth fits right in with the crew in his dusty white lab coat. The factory is covered in a generous coat of graphite, a main ingredient in the manufacture of the cup seals, and the heavy machines, hydraulic and air compressor-driven, are like a dusty maze in the shop. But, with orientation, Haworth hasn't had trouble finding his way around, and his co-workers help him if he needs it. "They really haven't had to make many accommodations for Jeff," Baugh said. "Jeff's had to make more accommodations to work with us." Baugh said Haworth will probably have a chance to learn most of the processes on the production line, and when production picks up, he'll likely go from part-time to full-time. And full-time is what Haworth wants. "Your ambitions and goals go down the tubes without an opportunity to do something," he said. Before coming to Darcova, Haworth worked at Buttrey Food Store, and before coming to Billings he worked for Lighthouse for the Blind, in a division that was a subcontractor for the Boeing Co. in Seattle. He has always worked, and he likes the independence, socializing and the challenge that he's found on the job. He was hired at Darcova through CORE Enterprises, a career development agency for people with disabilities. Haworth's job coach, Jan Ronning, helped with his orientation at Darcova and said he hasn't had any trouble learning how to use the equipment. "He sets a good standard for anyone who works or wants to work," Ronning said. "He has an amazing work ethic." Contact Laura Tode at mailto:ltode at billingsgazette.com ltode at billingsgazette.com
or 657-1392. Published on Monday, March 19, 2007. Last modified on 3/19/2007 at 12:45 am http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/03/19/features/workweek/25-blind.txt http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/03/19/features/workweek/25-blind.txt
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