Steven Gastreich is the Communication Center’s newest employee, or CSR, and the first who is totally blind.  As a newborn, he was diagnosed with Retinopathy of Prematurity.  To successfully accomplish his job, Steven uses a screen reading software program called JAWS.  The program reads everything on his computer to him through the same headset he uses to interact with customers.  While the customer speaks in Steven’s one ear, JAWS dictates in the other.

It’s like having two people talking to him simultaneously.  How many of us could perform well under such a circumstance?  Also, imagine trying to navigate your favorite website with your monitor turned off.  That’s just what Steven does routinely with the use of JAWS.  He proclaims, “By using a screen reader I’m able to be employable and handle the same workload as my sighted colleagues.”

His employment endeavors, however, haven’t been as bright. “My journey to employment has been a long frustrating one.  It’s been years of some hope, but mostly despair—with several doors being slammed in my face.” Steven admits.

Before coming to Wiscraft, Steven describes what he (and many other individuals who are blind) faces while seeking employment:

“I guess you could say that my quest toward employment started when I was accepted at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater.  I chose this school for various reasons.  It was located far enough away from home for me to gain independence, but close enough should I need anything.  I majored in Speech Communications.  I was hoping for a career in radio broadcasting.

But after graduation, the resumes and audition tapes went out with no luck.  With the help of the Wisconsin’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, I eventually found my way to Ameritech.  They were looking for Customer Service Representatives.  With all the issues of accessibility, it took over a year and a half to employ me.  I started there in February of 1996, but was let go 3 months later due to concerns of my speed using the computer.  Screen readers weren’t what they are today.  So, I was back job hunting again.  It was like being on a rollercoaster, in that just when I thought I found a positive lead, it would all fizzle out with yet another rejection letter.

But in 1998, I landed a job with Mount Mary College as a Telephone Admissions Recruiter.  In January of 2000, all of us were let go due to budget cuts.  So, for the next two years, it was more of the same.  In 2002, I decided to go in a whole new direction.  I went back to school to work on a Master’s degree in, of all things, theology.  I believed that the Catholic Church might find a place for me as a lay minister, but a job was not on the horizon.  I could not secure a ministry job to save my life!  For a time in 2008, I worked as telephone surveyor.  That was short-lived, as once again, work was timed, and they couldn’t allow the extra time it took with a screen reader.  So, there I was, back to square one.”

How many of us have had to deal with such barriers?  Steven, however, overcomes.

“I was in the process of finding a new Vocational Rehabilitation counselor this fall when I read about a position at Wiscraft.  I sent my resume and the next day I was called to set up an interview.  I interviewed on Tuesday and was hired Wednesday.  Furthermore, I didn’t have to worry about accessibility issues as the adaptive equipment was already there!

I am really loving my job.  There also doesn’t seem to be any accessibility concerns like in the [other] jobs.  So let’s just hope that I’ll be here for a good long time!”

Steve, we hope you’re here for a long time too.  Not only do we know he’s doing well, our vendors have noticed.  “I was amazed at Steve’s professionalism when dealing with clients. He was very polite, well spoken and always gave a ‘thank you for your time’,” explains our computer technician.

Why did no one else give such a great employee a real opportunity to show what he’s got?  Does anyone among us enjoy job hunting?  Remember how nervous you were before, during, and even after the interview?  Now imagine the threat of discrimination following you into the interview AND even the job itself.

That’s why Wiscraft’s here.  When 7 in 10 of our fellow Americans who are blind have no job, Wiscraft leverages such a great talent pool.  Its employees, and even the community, drive our success.  Check out JAWS and other adaptive software at www.freedomscientific.com.