Improving Employment Outcomes Through Awareness E19
Recognizing National Disability Employment Month (NDEAM special guests Julie Oliver and Steve Tepper joined David Steinmetz in the conversation regarding the need for Hiring Managers to change their perception of blindness and as Julie mentioned removing conscious or unconscious bias from the hiring process. The trio gave insights on how to breakdown barriers to employment for people who are blind by increasing awareness of abilities not disabilities, improving transportation and demonstrating that the fallacy that reasonable accommodations are too costly.
Hiring Managers will gain insights into the the vocational rehabilitation process for peiple who are blind. These skills that are developed lead to a more valuable employee who will stay with the organization, improve company culture and brand awareness.
Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired has been empowering people with vision loss since 1947. Our highly skilled and experienced multi-disciplinary team of professionals offers individualized training utilizing state of the art technologies and proven rehabilitation practices.
ACBVI assists clients in coping with vision loss – with courage and dignity and a “Can Do” attitude. We are proud to provide the resources our clients need to achieve independence and a full participation in the spheres of life they choose. We celebrate each and every blind and visually impaired person who develops the skills and a tenacity to go to work, go to school, and actively participate in society.
Steve Tepper has been serving non-profits for over 25 years, providing a voice for those who often times don’t have one.
Steve has been with the Arizona Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired for almost 2 years and is awed by what he sees their clients achieve on a daily basis.
Steve and his wife Karen have two girls with one at ASU and the other in Horizon Honors High School.
Connect with Steve on LinkedIn and Facebook.
The Foundation for Blind Children was founded in 1952 by parents of blind children who wanted services for their blind children in Phoenix, instead of having to send them to the State Institution for the Blind in Tucson.
The Foundation for Blind Children serves the blind and visually impaired of all ages, from birth to currently 102 years old. As the only agency of its kind in Arizona, the Foundation for Blind Children is an essential resource to families and children with blindness or low vision.
With three Valley locations (East Valley, West Valley and Central Phoenix), we strive to serve as “the” community’s resource for blind, visually impaired, and multi-handicapped children, adults, and their families.
Julie Oliver serves as the Vice President of Programs at the Foundation for Blind Children (FBC), a 70-year-old organization dedicated to providing education and services to individuals with visual impairments. Julie is a committed non-profit leader who excels in program development, team building, fostering a culture of excellence, and making a positive impact on the lives of those with disabilities.
In her role as Vice President of Programs, Julie leads the strategic direction of nineteen programs ranging from education and rehabilitation to employment and advocacy. Leading a team of dedicated program directors and managers, Julie’s focus is to expand FBC’s programs, implement best practices, and grow the field of vision professionals.
Before taking on her current role, Julie served as the Director of Rehabilitation Services, where she led a team of 20 vision professionals. During this time, she established successful collaborations with government agencies, school districts, and community partners.
Prior to FBC, Julie was a senior leader in healthcare data analytics. In 2018, she made a pivotal decision to return to her nonprofit roots. From her very first interview with FBC leadership, Julie recognized the organization’s extraordinary potential. To her, FBC represents unlimited opportunities and a chance to provide top-tier programs, all while creating avenues for students and their families to thrive.
Connect with Julie on LinkedIn.
About Your Host
As the manager of Community and Public Relations, David Steinmetz uses his expertise, education, and personal experiences to “change the perception of blindness.”
Diagnosed with RP, a blinding retinal disease, at the age of 19, David uses his personal story to drive change that leads to improved employment outcomes and community integration for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Mr. Steinmetz graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Economics. Additionally, Steinmetz has continued his education by graduating from the Business Management Training (BMT) program provided by Darden Graduate School of Business, University of Virginia.
In 2008, David was the national recipient of the National Industries for the Blind Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement award. This prestigious award recognized Mr. Steinmetz for his career achievements and community service work.
David Steinmetz is a member of the Governors’ Council on Blindness & Visual Impairments, is a Board Member at the Arizona Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired (ACBVI) and serves his community through the Chandler Lions Club.
Connect with David on LinkedIn and Instagram.
About the Show
Changing the Perception of Blindness; One Conversation at a Time is dedicated to breaking down barriers, de-mystifying blindness and promoting real world solutions that empower people who are blind to live a full and inclusive life.
Host, David Steinmetz connects with organizations, industry professionals and thought leaders who are working to bridge the gap that creates a world accessible for all.
About Arizona Industries for the Blind
Arizona Industries for the Blind is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating employment opportunities for people who are blind. It’s employees, more than half of whom are blind, deliver a variety of products and services, including a full-service Warehousing and Distribution Center, confidential Digital Data Scan (DDS) services for private businesses and government and the operation of Base Supply Centers located at each of Arizona’s three military bases under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Labor’s AbilityOne program.
