CENTRAL STATES CONFERENCE
Envision Puts Spark Back in When I lost my sight, I felt like it was the end of the world because I didn’t know there were jobs for people who are blind. Once I got here, Envision put the spark back in me. All I could think was Wow, there is life for people like me!
Sedrick Veal boxes trash bags as part of his role as a bag/folder picker.
issues and celebrates the many contributions made by inclusive workforces. The 2019 theme, “The Right Talent, Right Now,” emphasizes the essential role that people with disabilities play in America’s economic success, especially in an era when historically low unemployment and global competition are creating a high demand for skilled talent. From the moment he edrick Veal is not the arrived in Wichita, Sedrick same man he was seven knew Envision was the right years ago when two open place for him. heart surgeries, each of which “When I lost my sight, I resulted in temporary brain felt like it was the end of the death, took away his eyesight. world because I didn’t know The desperation that once there were jobs for people plagued the Louisiana native who are blind,” he said. “That has been replaced with purfirst year, I was completely pose. Any feelings of uncerdepressed. I would just sit tainty have given way to an facing walls, eat and go to overwhelming desire to lead bed. Finally, I started to move and serve others. around and found out about Veal’s transformation Envision. Once I got here, began the moment he Envision put the spark back applied for a job at Envision, in me. All I could think was, and his story reinforces Wow, there is life for people the importance of National like me!” Disability Employment For the past three years, Awareness Month observed Sedrick has looked forward annually in October. to getting up in the morning NDEAM raises awareness and going to work as a bag about disability employment folder/picker at Envision
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Industries where he is surrounded by real, authentic people. And now as part of Envision’s Upward Mobility program, he is taking typing classes to refresh his skills and open himself up to new career paths and a possible return to college to become a social worker. The William L. Hudson BVI Workforce Innovation Center is a major source of inspiration for Sedrick. He continues to be encouraged by what he and his fellow Employee Advisory Group members learned at its 2018 opening. “The BVI Workforce Innovation Center is an overwhelming opportunity for people who are blind or visually impaired to spread their wings,” he said. “The sky
Sedrick Veal and his wife, Chiffonda, enjoy themselves at 2019’s Evening with Envision gala.
Photos Courtesy EnSight
12 OUTLOOKMAG.ORG FEB 2020
