Vocational Rehabilitation Workforce Studio » Podcast

Journey of Inches, the Alex Cullison Story

Hear the exciting story of how Austin McQuade obtained his certification as a Manufacturing Technician and quickly found his dream job  despite his disability. Show Notes For the Austin McQuade Story Rick Sizemore is the Director of the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center Rick’s Contact info: rick.sizemore@wwrc.virginia.gov @rickwwrc   540-332-7214. Anne Hudlow is the Director of the WWRC Foundation. Anne’s Contact info: annehudlow@comcast.net or WWRCF.org. For more information on CDA-USA visit their website. http://cda-usa.com/ Transcript Begin Count Down: 4 3 2 1 This is the VR workforce studio inspiration, education, and affirmation at work the workforce and disability employment podcast from the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center, a division of the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitation services. The VR Workforce Studio is published by our foundation at www.rcf.org and is available in iTunes and at vrworkforcestudio.com You are listening to the VR Workforce Studio Austin: Working hard so I can buy a house, have a nice future, have a family; just aiming for the stars really. They’re the best company I have worked for, they are very professional, they are very nice, and the company is like a big family honestly. Rick: On today’s episode of the VR Workforce Studio, the courageous vocational rehabilitation story of Austin McQuade, and how the career pathways for individuals with disabilities lead him to a great job in the automated labeling industry. Hi, I’m Rick Sizemore; here with my co-host Anne Hudlow, who directs the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center Foundation, bringing you these courageous stories of Vocational Rehabilitation Anne: From the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center, where Rick Sizemore has worked for over 30 years, helping individuals with disabilities prepare for employment. Rick: We are celebrating the journeys of those brave and unstoppable individuals with disabilities, who show us all that they are willing to do whatever it takes to overcome the obstacles to independence and employment. And we’re taking a closer look at how Vocational Rehabilitation provides the supports and assistance needed for success in disability employment. Anne: We also feature the professional rehabilitation counselors, who have dedicated their lives and careers, to helping individuals with disabilities, lead more productive and fulfilling lives while building up the workforce. Rick we are always excited to focus the spotlight on companies who hire individuals with disabilities. Rick: Well Anne, today we are going to focus on CDA USA, they were incorporated in Richmond Virginia, back in 2012, from a sister company in France. They’ve been making high quality semi-automatic and automatic labelers, and fillers for over 20 years. Interesting. You go to their website, you can see all these machines, and find a little more about what they do. If you go to the website, you’ll see something else that we have been talking about on this podcast, and how it’s becoming a reality – manufacturing jobs. I am reading from the website right now, “we are currently looking for local sales representatives, and technicians, so if you would like to send us an app, you can Email us,” and it has the contact information. Which by the way; we will include in our show notes at VR-Workforce-Studio.com. Our guest today, Austin McQuade; did just that. He contacted CDA, and landed his dream job. Anne: That’s right Rick, on today’s big inspiration showcase, a highly successful young man who is going to re-trace the steps from his disability, to landing a dream job through Vocational Rehabilitation. Austin McQuade gives us an up-close, and personal look at demands side, workforce driven training, stackable credentials, and how a hands-on learning model,

Transcript Begin Count Down: 4 3 2 1 This is the VR workforce studio inspiration, education, and affirmation at work the workforce and disability employment podcast from the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center, a division of the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitation services. The VR Workforce Studio is published by our foundation at www.rcf.org and is available in iTunes and at vrworkforcestudio.com You are listening to the VR Workforce Studio Bruce (Snippet): “…individuals with disabilities want to be productive no matter what it is and so… you know they want to feel like they’re empowered by going out and doing a good job to, you know they want to be productive in life and if given the opportunity and you do hire a person with a disability I think you’re gaining a valuable employee or gaining a contributing member to society…” VR Workforce Studio jingle Music introduction Rick: On today’s episode of the VR Workforce Studio; Drawing without Hands the Amazing Story of Bruce Delliger. I’m Rick Sizemore director of the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center. Anne: And I’m Anne Hudlow director of the WWRC Foundation, and together we’re opening up the VR Workforce Studio, so individuals with disabilities with disabilities can share their courageous stories of Vocational Rehabilitation. Along the way we also talk to the champions of business and industry that hire individuals with disabilities Rick: On today’s show a successful business man and critically acclaimed artist, known for his intricate and unbelievably realistic pencil drawings of nature. His work can found in homes and galleries all around the world, but what’s even more amazing is the clever highly unusual and ingenious techniques Bruce Delliger uses to create these masterpieces without using his hands. Anne: We’ll also talk with Self-Employment Enterprise Specialist Larry Roberts from the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, and his reflections on what it takes to make it in business being self-employed as an individual with a disability Rick: Bruce Delliger is an artist with a spinal cord injury and only has limited use of his hands. You simply won’t believe which body parts he uses to hold the pencil and draw on the pallet! Anne: Bruce received the Art to Art Pallet Award in Ohio and has won two best In-Print Awards from the Printing Industry of Virginia among many others; he has also been featured in numerous magazines, newspapers, and television programs for his amazing talent. Rick there’s a quote from the Art to Art Pallet that says that “Bruce has never used his unusual method of painting as a sensation, but has let his work stand on its own merit; the refusal to be weak and unyielding in his passion of natural beauty is finally paying off”. Rick: Bruce Delliger Welcome to the Podcast, let’s get started with your story of disability. Bruce: Basically an old farm boy; country boy. I grew up in the country and worked on the farm pretty much all of my life and I was getting ready to leave middle school and start my freshman year at Broadway high school. I was an upcoming football player at that particular time. So I was doing some weight training, but I also had failed my 8th grade English course so I was taking summer school and It was during the break of our summer school, July and it was over the break and my father asked me if I wanted to go with him to assist a friend of ours bale hay down in Orkney Springs, Virginia and so I can remember that day it’s like you know (what) psychologists call it a flashbulb memory and I’d gone with my father. I remember riding through the mountains with him and we finally got down to the property where we were going to help bale hay and of course you know middle of summer time, dealing with hay you get it everywhere you know. So we worked a few hours. My first cousin and I; our job was to stay on th...

Visit the WWRC Foundation Facebook Page for video of today’s podcast with a sign language interpreter.     Show Notes: Rick Sizemore is the Director of the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center Rick’s Contact info: rick.sizemore@wwrc.virginia.gov @rickwwrc   540-332-7214 Anne Hudlow is the Director of the WWRC Foundation. Anne’s Contact info: annehudlow@comcast.net WWRCF.org Amanda Christopher is a graduate of Hollins University and Virginia Commonwealth University. A native of the DC metro area, Amanda worked in public relations for the American Red Cross and in development at Sidwell Friends School before joining the Virginia Community College System as the Workforce Communications Coordinator. Vanessa Rastberger is the Director of Workforce Solutions at the Manufacturing Skills Institute, the workforce affiliate of the Virginia Manufacturers Association. She has been an integral part of MSI’s statewide and national expansion and manages partner development through the MSI Academic and Workforce Partner Network. You can follow Doug Foresta on Twitter @dougforesta. Doug produces numerous workforce podcasts. Find out more about Doug at www.workforce180.com/podcast . Sam Rothrock is a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor at the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center. Joe Ashley is the Grants and Special Programs Director for the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Dr. Joe Ashley has been a leader in the states Vocational Rehabilitation Program for decades, and now leads a team that is implementing a significant new career pathways initiative. Transcript available soon.

Rick Sizemore here with Anne Hudlow for today’s Special Edition Quickcast Anne: As we look ahead to the 2016 Hire Ed Thats H-I-R-E Hire Ed Conference; Imagine. Rick: The Virginia Community College System concludes its 50th Anniversary Celebration this year, we now look to the next 50 years to “Imagine” what is possible. Anne:  The Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center and the Foundation is thrilled about this opportunity because it bring us together with community college leaders, workforce development professionals, partner agencies, and many others to explore the ways we can all respond to the needs of businesses and individuals here in the Commonwealth. Rick;  And That positions Virginia as a national model for workforce training. As we shine the spotlight on the accomplishments of our colleges  including the historic workforce credentials funding plan. Anne:  I know we will be thrilled to be there Imagining the future with an Array of Virginia’s workforce professionals. Rick:  New to the Conference this year is our live Podcast.  As we not only Imagine new and creative ways of sharing the workforce message but actually connect our session and the conference to the exciting world of possibilities in iTunes, Stitcher Radio and VR Workforce Studio’s Podcast Website. Anne:  In our live podcast , We’ll Meet Rod Early, and hear his inspiring and courageous story of vocational rehabilitation and returning to work following a near death accident. Rick:  We’ll interview an All Star Panel with Vanessa Rastberger from the Virginia Manufacturers Association (Manufacturing Skills Institute), Joe Ashley form the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Service, Sam Rothrock from Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center … Anne:  and Amanda Christopher from the Virginia Community College System.   We’ll be talking about how podcasting opens doors for business engagement and provides a powerful platform for sharing success stories-especially workforce success stores.  Rick how many times have you heard leaders say….we need to share our success stories…. Rick:And that is what our podcast is all about. Anne – Sharing the courageous success stories of vocational rehabilitation. Rick: This all before a live studio audience we’ll get into jobs driven training, WIOA,  Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities, Workforce Credentialing and much more.   For more info on the  2016 Hire Ed Conference visit event.crowdcompass.com/hireed16 or download the VCCS Events App (free!) and click on Hire Education Conference.

Hear DeWanna Christian’s Courageous Story of Vocational Rehabilitation, Surviving Meningitis and Living to Excel as a Rehabilitation Professional. Rick Sizemore is the Director of the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center Rick’s Contact info: rick.sizemore@wwrc.virginia.gov @rickwwrc   540-332-7214. Anne Hudlow is the Director of the WWRC Foundation. Anne’s Contact info: annehudlow@comcast.net or WWRCF.org. For more information on emergency preparedness visit http://www.vaemergency.gov/  https://www.fema.gov/ or https://www.ready.gov Chip Stratton is the Director of Safety and Risk Management at WWRC and is available at chip.stratton@wwrc.virginia.gov . DeWanna Christian is available at dewanna.christian@wwrc.virginia.gov . Special thanks for Sally Murphy (vocals) and Richard Adams (recording and production) of the VR Workforce Jingle, composed by Rick Sizemore. Transcript for DeWanna Christian This is the VR Workforce Studio: Inspiration, Education and Affirmation “AT WORK.”  The workforce and disability employment podcast from the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center, A Division of the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Service. The VR Workforce Studio is published by our foundation at wwrcf.org and is available in iTunes and at vrworkforcestudio.com. You are listening to the vrworkforcestudio. I looked like I had been in a fire. My fingers had shriveled up. So I had… so initially they thought they were going to do umm… amputations, like at the ankles, umm… but then infection set in, so then they had to go, you know, just below the knee. I guess I see them as challenges and I don’t really dwell on them that much so I can’t really pinpoint, but I can tell you there’s challenges every day. VR Workforce Studio Music Transition Rick: On today’s episode of the VR Workforce studio in our big inspiration showcase, the amazing story of DeWanna Christian. Hi, I’m Rick Sizemore, director of the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center. Anne: And I’m Anne Hudlow, director of the WWRC Foundation, and together, we are opening up the VR Workforce Studio so individuals with disabilities can share their courageous stories of vocational rehabilitation. Along the way, we talk with the champions of business and industry that hire individuals with disabilities. Rick: And the vocational rehabilitation professionals that have dedicated their lives and careers to helping individuals with disabilities to go to work. And today Anne, I’m so excited. DeWanna Christian is here. Her story will leave you spellbound. Meningitis as a teenager; multiple, radical surgeries required to really save her life. She’s a double amputee, works from a wheelchair and we have her here to hear her amazing story of going to college, learning to drive, and a great career that’s really resulted in being her dream job. Also on today’s program, Chip Stratton joins us in the VR briefing room, after our interview with DeWanna. He is a safety and risk management expert trainer. He’ll be talking with us about emergency preparedness at work and at home for individuals with disabilities. DeWanna Christian leads the Rehabilitation Counseling Division at the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center, is a certified rehabilitation counselor, holds a Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University. DeWanna, welcome to the program. DeWanna: Thank you. Anne: DeWanna, you are very successful, but I know that that path to success was not an easy one. Our stories are mainly about disability employment. Can you tell us how you became disabled? DeWanna: I was a senior in high school and there was an a...

Seven Months of Iron Will…From the Hospital Back to My Manufacturing Job NOTE: To listen to the podcast, click the play icon above. Show Notes Rick Sizemore is the Director of the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center Rick’s Contact info: rick.sizemore@wwrc.virginia.gov @rickwwrc   540-332-7214. Anne Hudlow is the Director of the WWRC Foundation. Anne’s Contact info: annehudlow@comcast.net or WWRCF.org. Vanessa Rastberger is the Workforce Solutions Manager at the Virginia Manufacturers Association. Contact Vanessa at 804-643-7489 ext. 123. Special thanks for Sally Murphy (vocals) and Richard Adams (recording and production) of the VR Workforce Jingle, composed by Rick Sizemore.   Transcribed by Doug Council. Transcript for Rod Early Story. This is the VR workforce studio, inspiration, education and affirmation   “AT WORK.”   The workforce and disability employment podcast from the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center, A Division of the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Service. The VR Workforce Studio is published by our Foundation at wwrcf.org and is available in iTunes and at vrworkforcestudio.com. You are listening to the vrworkforcestudio. ¯Powering music transition¯ And I broke down because that was the day that I knew I was going to be up. That I was going to get back up a get walking. ¯ VR workforce studio ¯ ¯Music transition¯ Rick: On today’s episode of the VR Workforce Studio we are on the Career Pathway to manufacturing with individuals with disabilities. I’m Rick Sizemore, Director of the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center. Anne: And I’m Anne Hudlow, Director of the WWRC Foundation and together we are… ¯Rewind Sound effect¯ Rick: Uh, got to stop you Anne. Anne: Oh, Ok. Rick: Little quick story, Anne: Ok, This week I was at the Performance Management Summit in Richmond, VA with all the data analytics and VR leadership of the country and they had one central theme and that is to tell the story of vocational rehabilitation so I look in my pocket at your brand new, very flashy business card and I see this phrase and it hits me. The opening of our program where we say and together we are, you got to share this new phrase you came up with. Anne: Oh, ok. It’s sharing the courageous stories of vocational rehabilitation and don’t you think that’s fitting? Rick: That is the very essence of this podcast. You get the award for phrasing our podcast this week so, Anne: Aw well thank you, way cool, way cool so we have Rod Early talking about manufacturing on deck with his unbelievable story a 7 month journey from the hospital back to his manufacturing job and guess who rejoins us today, Vanessa Rastbeger from the manufacturing skills institute. Anne: Oh great, so Rick it’s been almost a year since Vanessa has been here talking about manufacturing. Rick: So let’s to a little rehab rewind. Anne: Yes let’s go back to what she said. ¯Rewind Sound effect¯ Vanessa: If we don’t increase the productivity of our workforce, industry is saying we won’t be here for the long term. That is very scary to me. If we don’t change our mindset and take action to insure our workforce has critical thinking and troubleshooting skills across a range of areas that we can validate. We are jeopardizing our global competitiveness ¯Rewind Sound effect¯ Rick: She talked about reducing the skills gap and the interest gap for youth and getting them excited about manufacturing jobs. Anne: Oh great, now we have two bright, young VR consumers who just completed the “Dream it. Do it.” academy. We’ll talk with them to see if we accomplished our goals with the academy. Rick: We’ll we are also going to check in with Brett Vassey head of the Virginia Manufacturers Association as we look ahead to the 20...

  Exciting News from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification with Scott Dunnell Scott Dunnell Director of Marketing and Strategic Alliances at CRCC at 847-944-1304 or email at SDunnell@CRCCertification.com Transcribed by Latrice Stewart Rick: On today’s episode of the VR Workforce Studio Podcast, a special feature presentation from our vocational rehabilitation briefing room, as we welcome Scott Dunnell from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. Scott is here to talk with us about some of the exciting new developments at CRCC. Scott Dunnell is the Director of Marketing and Strategic Alliances. In addition to overseeing CRCC’s strategic marketing plan, Scott is responsible for cultivating relationships, partnerships, and alliances among key individuals and organizations to further appreciation and value of the CRC certification. Scott’s extensive experience includes strategic marketing and business development for educational institutions, health care organizations, associations and other not for profit organizations. Publications to his credit include his book “Brand Compassing”, navigating toward greater equity and brand value as well as numerous awards for excellence in branding and graphic design. Scott it’s a pleasure to have you here on the VR Workforce Studio Podcast. Scott: Thank you for having me and hello to everybody out there. Rick: Scott, what’s the history and the main focus of CRCC? Scott: Well as many of your listeners probably know, CRCC has been around for a long time it’s the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. It was founded in 1974 and it is in fact the world’s largest rehabilitation counseling organization and it’s dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities. And we do this by certifying rehabilitation counselors at the master’s level and this is setting the standard for competent delivery of quality rehabilitation counseling services through the exam that we give these people. Rick: Scott it seems to me our world and our profession and the way we communicate is changing so rapidly and has changed over the last few years. How is CRCC moving into the future to meet the needs of counselors and the rehabilitation community? Scott: I think when you look at 2012-2013, I think that CRCC realized that they had to make some changes beyond just the one product that they were offering and so they brought me in in 2013 to develop the marketing program. At the same time, we also worked on products and services and we did a lot of research, not only with our CRC’s, but also the rehabilitation counselors in general to try to figure out what we needed to do to expand our products and services in order to increase awareness of it and also the demand for the certification. And what that has done in fact, is all of that research has led to products and services which now include what we call the CRCC community and that is the first online community built exclusively to serve all rehabilitation counseling professionals. It has three components to it and the first one is our online job board which we call CRCC Aspire and that helps connect employers who hire rehabilitation counseling professionals to our CRC’s and also our CRC applicants. Those people who are currently in the process of achieving certification so they have that exclusivity to put their resumes out there online on that job board and employers are able to go in and really find the best of the best. The second part is the online professional networking platform and that is what we call CRCC Engage. And this was actually created to empower our subscribers all of our not just CRC’s but rehabilitation counselors in general, to create meaningful, engaging dialog amongst themselves and what we’ve seen just in the first year. We have over 3,

Show Notes for the Brian Evans Story Rick Sizemore is the Director of the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center Rick’s Contact info: rick.sizemore@wwrc.virginia.gov @rickwwrc   540-332-7214 Anne Hudlow is the Director of the WWRC Foundation. Anne’s Contact info: annehudlow@comcast.net WWRCF.org Scott Dunnell, Director of Marketing and Strategic Alliances at CRCC: 847-944-1304; e-mail at sdunnell@CRCcertification.com. Special thanks for Sally Murphy (vocals) and Richard Adams (recording and production) of the VR Workforce Jingle, composed by Rick Sizemore. Other music used with permission from Audio Hero. Transcribed by Evelina Mack, reviewed by Sarah Donkers – Business and Information Technology. Transcript of the podcast follows: This is the VR workforce studio, inspiration, education and affirmation   “AT WORK”.   The workforce and disability employment podcast from the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center, a Division of the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services. The VR Workforce Studio is published by our Foundation at wwrcf.org and is available in iTunes and at vrworkforcestudio.com. You are listening to the VR Workforce Studio. Brian: And so to anybody with a disability, you’re exceptional. So when you look at these – these obstacles that come in your life, don’t look at them like, “Oh my gosh, this is too much to overcome.” Look at yourself and say that, “I can overcome this because I am a human.” You know, that, “I’m an exceptional species, that I’m able to overcome an unmovable object. When I do do this, I can look back at myself and say that I am amazing.” And that the way you know you’re amazing is over only by what you overcome, not by the things that go your way. People singing: VR Workforce Studio. Rick: On today’s episode of the VR workforce studio: I hate it when people say I’m only Human: The Brian Evans Story. Hi I’m Rick Sizemore, director of the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center. Anne: And I’m Anne Hudlow, director of the WWRC Foundation and together we are bringing you the inspiring and sometimes unbelievable success stories of vocational rehabilitation. Rick: We’re celebrating the journeys of those brave and unstoppable individuals with disabilities, who show us all that they are willing to do whatever it takes to overcome the obstacles to independence and employment. And taking a closer look at how vocational rehabilitation provides the supports and assistance needed for success in disability employment. Anne: And Rick no disability employment story can be complete without the champions of business and industry that hire individuals with disabilities … Rick: … or the professional rehabilitation counselors who have dedicated their lives and careers to helping individuals with disabilities to lead more productive and fulfilling lives while building up the workforce. Tracy Topolosky is a certified rehabilitation counselor, and joins us as part of the inspiration showcase today to discuss her important work with Brian. Tracy: Thank you, Rick. Good to be here. Anne: And later on today’s show, we have a special guest from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. Or as, uh, Tracy might say, the CRCC. Scott Dunnell is here to talk about the national organization that certifies rehabilitation counselors to do this great work. Welcome Scott. Scott: Thank you. It’s a real pleasure to be here and I’m really looking forward to hearing Brian’s story. Rick: Brian is standing by what an amazing story of his near death motorcycle accident and the road to recovery, vocational rehabilitation and his new perspective on life, not only an individual with a disability but as the “human who defines success by moving immovable objects.” Simply unbelievable. All of this on today’s episode – I hate it when people say I’m only Huma...

Kaylee Rushing is one of the first graduates of a new program offered by WWRC and CVS Health to help individuals with disabilities prepare for jobs at CVS Health. Show Notes for the Girl with the Semicolon Tattoo Rick Sizemore is the Director of the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center Rick’s Contact info: rick.sizemore@wwrc.virginia.gov  @rickwwrc   540-332-7214 Anne Hudlow is the Director of the WWRC Foundation. Anne’s Contact info: annehudlow@comcast.net WWRCF.org David Casey @kcdiversity See the CVS Video shot on location at WWRC at wwrcf.org Hear the workforce 180 podcast at www.workforce180.com/podcast Special thanks for Sally Murphy (vocals) and Richard Adams (recording and production) of the VR Workforce Jingle, composed by Rick Sizemore. Other music used with permission from Audio Hero. Be sure to check out photos of the WWRC Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in the galleries. Click here   Transcript of the podcast follows: This is the VR workforce studio, inspiration, education and affirmation   “AT WORK”.   The workforce and disability employment podcast from the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center, a Division of the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services. The VR Workforce Studio is published by our Foundation at wwrcf.org and is available in iTunes and at vrworkforcestudio.com. You are listening to the vrworkforcestudio. This tattoo is a semicolon it means the story is not over, life goes on and then the purple on the outside is because I am a survivor of this too. It means that you are a survivor of depression and suicide and anxiety and so many other things, it’s like basically it’s a symbol for all. Music Transition Rick: On today’s episode of the vrworkforcestudio” the girl with the semicolon tattoo, the story isn’t over, life goes, on the Kaylee Rushing Story” in our big interview showcase today. Hi, I’m Rick Sizemore, Director of the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center. Anne: And I’m Anne Hudlow, Director of the WWRC Foundation. Today we chronical the vocational rehabilitation journey of Kaylee Rushing. You’ll hear Kaylee describe the extraordinary obstacles she has faced along the path to her ultimate goal. Kaylee Rushing: Oh! I’m employed. Rick: And that goal is going to work. Anne: You’ll hear how Kaylee became one of the success stories of CVS health’s new partnership with WWRC to provide jobs-driven training for individuals with disabilities. Despite multiple disabilities, abuse, bullying, and the devastating depression that followed her brothers suicide, Kaylee has emerged with a new tattoo of a semicolon that announces to the world that the story isn’t over, life goes on. Rick: And it’s that award winning smile that made Kaylee one of the centerpieces of a huge celebration on a stage right here at WWRC in front of a capacity crowd just minutes ago. There were hosts of dignitaries and all cheering for Kaylee and her accomplishment. She’s one of the first graduates of this innovative new program that helps individuals with disabilities get jobs. Kaylee Rushing, the girl with the semicolon tattoo up next. vrworkforcestudio Rick: So let’s set the stage. Not more than an hour ago, we were on the stage, with Kaylee the Governor of Virginia, Terry McAuliffe, a host of executives from CVS Health, and numerous other dignitaries. Anne: And Rick the energy in the room is enough to operate our recording equipment. Kaylee is smiling and she could just light up a room with her with her personality. But Kaylee,

Blind Man with a Vision the Joe Ashley Story.   Special thanks to Joe for his willingness to interview and share his story. Joe Ashley works for the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Andrew Stowe is a rehabilitation counselors and works for DARS in Charlottesville, Va. Doug Foresta is a podcast producer. Thank you Doug for the new segment “Foresta Five.” Find out more about Doug at www.workforce180.com/podcast . Anne Hudlow is Executive Director of the WWRC Foundation and co-host of the VR Workforce Studio. Rick Sizemore is the Director of the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center   Transcript follows: Transcribed by: Douglas Council, a current student at WWRC in the Business and Information Technology program. If you are interested in hiring a wonderful typist call 540-332-7162. (Different Voices are transcribed in different colors, a unique feature of Doug’s transcription skills.)   This is the VR workforce studio, inspiration, education and affirmation   “AT WORK”.   The workforce and disability employment podcast from the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center, a Division of the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services. The VR Workforce Studio is published by our Foundation at wwrcf.org and is available in iTunes and at vrworkforcestudio.com. You are listening to the vrworkforcestudio. He was at a teaching hospital and the gentleman said, “Well, you have retinitis pigmentosa. You’ll be blind by the time your thirty five and there is no treatment.” Mom burst into tears and that was the start of the process of trying to figure out how I was going to deal with this over time………….. Singers: vrworkforcestudio. Music transition Rick: On Todays Episode of the VR Workforce Studio; A Vision for Disability Employment. Rick/Anne: Through the Eyes of a Blind Man. Rick: Hi I’m Rick Sizemore, Director of the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center. Anne:   and I’m Anne Hudlow, Director of the WWRC Foundation Rick: and we are bringing you the stories of people whose lives have been profoundly affected and, well sometimes forever changed by disabilities. Like our Inspiration Showcase Big Interview today…. Blind Man with a vision. Anne a question for you, you remember high school maybe college or some other leadership course where you had to close your eyes and imagine what it would be like to be blind. Anne: Sure Rick. I certainly do, yea Rick: I think at one time or another most of us have thought about what it would be like over time to lose your vision slowly. Anne: On today’s episode, we’ll hear how Joe Ashley’s vision slipped away over time until he was completely blind. But our podcast is so much more than stories about people with disabilities these are Stories of how through vocational rehabilitation these unique and determined people have become independent and employed. Rick: That’s right Anne. Stories of people who show everyone that individuals with disabilities have an enormous capacity to overcome the obstacles to independence and employment. And Joe’s happens to be a two for one, his story that is. He is not only a person with a disability who’s had to overcome challenges to be successful in his vocation, but he’s dedicated his life to vocational rehabilitation and helping others along the way to their goals of employment. Following our Inspiration Showcase Big Interview, Anne is going to take us on a trip down to the mansion and we’ll hear how Governor McAulif...

Jennifer Britts, the woman with a fierce attitude on four wheels.  Champion ATV Racer recovers from a serious accident and now sets a new standard for disability employment in the insurance industry.  Contact: rick.sizemore@wwrc.virginia.gov  annehudlowe@comcast.net   jbritts82@hotmail.com.  See photos of Jennifer in the gallery and visit wwrcf.org for more information on the safegiat.”  Be sure to check out Jennifer’s photos in the gallery. Transcript Follows This is the VR workforce studio, inspiration, education and affirmation   “AT WORK”.   The workforce and disability employment podcast from the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center, A Division of the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Service. The VR Workforce Studio is published by our Foundation at wwrcf.org and is available in iTunes and at vrworkforcestudio.com. You are listening to the vrworkforcestudio. A couple of things that day, telling me not to race. Every medical professional who has seen the video, they ask the same three questions. One, how am I alive? Two, how did I not end up with a cervical level injury and three, how did I not end up with a severe brain injury. Singers: vrworkforcestudio. Rick: Hi I’m Rick Sizemore, Director of the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center. Anne:   and I’m Anne Hudlow, Director of the WWRC Foundation Rick: and we are bringing you the stories of people whose lives have been profoundly affected and, well sometimes forever changed by disabilities. Stories of how through the vocational rehabilitation process these unique and determined people have become independent and employed. Anne: That’s right, but you know it’s not just that; it’s the stories of people who redefine what it’s like to have a disability. Stories of people who show everyone that individuals with disabilities have an enormous capability to overcome the obstacles to independence and employment. They set a new standard of what it means to be a “great employee” and along the way we’ll hear from the champions of business and industry that hire individuals with disabilities and the professionals that lend a helping hand in the vocational rehabilitation process. Rick:   Today in the VR Workforce Studio – the woman with the fierce attitude on four wheels, “The Story of Jennifer Britts Today”. A champion ATV Racer who has collected trophy cases full of 1st place wins in races like the Virginia Cross-Country Series and the Extreme Off-road Event by VXCS. Jennifer’s racing career however came to a tragic end in a near death racing accident that left her with a spinal cord injury.   Yet through an extraordinary recovery from complex medical injuries and a long road of physical and vocational rehabilitation she is now blazing new trails and living life to the fullest. Using a wheelchair, she is still involved in sports, owns and drives her car and most importantly is bringing a new spark into the insurance industry in the work that she does in a new career, bringing that same fierce attitude on four wheels into her new life and work. Jennifer Britts is here in the studio; it is a pleasure to welcome you to the podcast, Jennifer. Jennifer: Thank you Rick: Well we are really excited to have you here in the VR Workforce Studio, Jennifer. We’ve looked forward to talking with you for quite a while now. Take us back to the beginning. Do you remember the first time you rode an ATV? Jennifer: Not the first time. I think it was something that I had always done.

WWRC is plowing through the winter of 2016 with our census near 350, and almost all Center programs are running near or at capacity. We appreciate the constant communication with DRS’s new District Managers and Business Development Managers as we continue to refine our Vocational Training programs. Tracy Topolosky, DARS Fishersville, is continuing her special assignment to evolve service to consumers with medical rehabilitation needs. She is continuing to grow the number of counselors WWRC is working with to provide Medical-to-work rehabilitation therapies CVS Pharmacy The first three consumers from WWRC to complete the CVS training module as part of the Materials Handling Program at WWRC are now participating in internships with two CVS stores in Staunton, and one in Waynesboro, Virginia.   WWRC is coordinating with CVS’s Workforce Development Manager and District Managers through LaPearl Smith, DARS BDM. Everyone agrees that seeing these smiling faces at these various stores is worth all the work that has gone into the DARS initiative to work with CVS. WWRC also offers a special thanks to the consumers Field Counselors, Kim Shepard, Ami Williams, and Nikki Thompson, for their support. According to CVS, there are multiple jobs available across Virginia at their stores and they are thrilled with the startup of WWRC’s training facility, which was donated by CVS to the WWRC Foundation.   WWRC’s Manufacturing Academy Several students have been selected for WWRC’s “Dream It Do It” Manufacturing Academy. This will open the door to the goldmine for consumers and let them take a look into the world of possibilities that are becoming available in modern manufacturing. The Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA) has said that one of the first goals in building Virginia’s workforce is to reduce the interest gaps in these jobs. WWRC’s first Academy is scheduled from May 30 through June 3, with approximately a dozen consumers who have an interest in learning about manufacturing. Jim Leech will be heading up the Academy with support from the entire WWRC Team and our partners in the Field. Consumers will build a fully functioning solar-powered water purification plant using water from WWRC’s lake, and then bottle the water. They will also get lectures and introductory information on manufacturing from Jim, who is a retired engineer with decades of experience in manufacturing in facilities like “The Hershey Company.” Jim also started the Mechatronics Training program at Blue Ridge Community College, and provided training to numerous plants throughout Virginia. He joins the WWRC team to spearhead the Academy and he will build-out the Manufacturing Technology Training program at WWRC through the summer with the first cohort of students to begin around August. Our staff have been busily working with the Manufacturing Skills Institute to get WWRC Instructors, Jim Leech, Steve Sweeney and Dwight Foster, certified to teach the curriculum that prepares students to sit for the national exam and obtain their Manufacturing Technician 1 (MT1) credential. In addition to this, WWRC has retooled its Vocational Evaluation checklist and interest inventory to help guide DRS Counselors in selecting students who are likely to be successful in the MTT program. Finally, it is through the partnership with the Joe Ashley, in the Grants and Special Programs area, that WWRC is able to evolve this program with support of Innovation and Expansion funds, as well as support from the Career Pathways Grant. Part of WWRC’s role, as this program evolves, will be to help others learn techniques and strategies that will enable someone with a disability to be successful in obtaining the MT1 Certification and, ultimately, employment. VMA anticipates that there could be upwards of 60,000 jobs in modern manufacturing in the next couple of years. Lastly, WWRC has been extremely fortunate to benefit from ongoing consultation with our BDM team,...

Transcript of podcast follows Rick Sizemore (Rick) Welcome to the VR workforce Studio. Today on Episode 12 we answer one of the most compelling workforce and disability employment questions of the modern age. “Where is the door to the goldmine?” You’ll get the answers in an interview with a retired senior engineer from the Hershey Company and past president of Margin Development Training. Compelling answers and strategies to help individuals with disabilities not only find the door to the goldmine but we open it up and take a look inside at the opportunities that exist for those interested in the new wave of jobs in manufacturing. I’m Rick Sizemore along with Co-Host Anne Hudlow (Anne) here in the VR Workforce Studio. We are bringing you the inspiring stories of how individuals with disabilities are overcoming the obstacles to employment as we celebrate the champions of business and industry that hire individuals with disabilities as well as the vocational rehabilitation professionals who dedicate their lives and careers to helping individuals with disabilities go to work so they can lead more productive lives, build up our workforce and move the Virginia Economy forward. Stories from the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center published by the WWRC Foundation at WWRCf.org Rick – Anne we have lots of exciting things going on. Anne – I love the show title- Where is the door to the goldmine. Well I know where one door is….because we continue to hear is how forklift training and experience often provides a gateway to employment in numerous fields, especially the manufacturing environment. I talked to a WWRC Trainee, Aaron Laznow and he said the first time on a forklift was a little unnerving but with practice he now feels confident about the fork truck and in getting a job. I was a little nervous at first because you don’t know if you are going to scrape it on the side or the top. But once you get the hang of it, its just like driving a car except your steer it with wheels in the rear. I think it will help me get a job because the more you know the more you are likely to get the job you want. Anne – And walking through that employers door with the skills needed to get that job is what WWRC’s program is all about. We are really excited about Aaron and everyone who is training at WWRC. Our Foundation is designed to help vocational rehabilitation at WWRC. If you’d like to know more check us out at wwrcf.org. Rick – Jim Leech is a retired senior engineer with over 20 years of project management and process system design experience with the Hershey Company in Stuarts Draft, Virginia. After leaving Hershey, he joined Blue Ridge Community College as the Program Head for their Manufacturing Engineering Technology program where he instructed and developed four of the curriculum’s course books including texts on Industrial Technology, Business Management, Manufacturing Economics and Industrial Automation. Prior to Joining the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center where he is now employed as the Manufacturing Technology Training Instructor and with the responsibility for the program’s curriculum development, Jim operated a management consulting business entitled Margin Development Training, LLC which consulted with plants throughout the Shenandoah Valley on margin improvement and skills training for maintenance and technology based employees. Jim now works with individuals with disabilities at the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center helping them prepare for job in manufacturing.   Jim Leech welcome to the VR Workforce Studio. Jim – Glad to be here with you today, Rick. Rick– Jim we are constantly hearing about how manufactures are looking for skilled and credentialed workers in Virginia and how the pipeline of potential candidates is a major issue.   You’ve worked in manufacturing a long time,

In this episode we’ll conclude our interview with the VMA as well as highlights from the VMA Workforce Symposium Panelist with co-host Vanessa Rastberger. Transcript will follow at a later date: