Meet Shannon (Washington)!

Shannon is a woman in the snow.

Shannon is an employment specialist under the Spokane Pod for Northwest Center.

What has been most HELPFUL for finding or keeping a job in the community?:

I would say to be true to yourself and ask for help if you need it. I would also believe in yourself and that you are capable of doing everything. I always have believed in myself and knew I could do anything I want if I put my mind to it.

What has been a CHALLENGE in finding or keeping a job in the community?:

I would say people not being aware and judge you based on your disability. One story, I was getting my master's degree and I had to document my disability to the professors to get the right accommodations. I had a professor judge my writing based on disability. She told me I couldn't get my master's and thought this is not the right fit for me. Deep down, she wasn't seeing my assignments but just my disability. Last December, I did get my master's.

Tell us in a few words or sentences why Employment First matters to you! Why do you work toward people with disabilities working? # Real Work for Real Pay?:

I want everyone to be independent and do something that makes them happy.

NDEAM poster 2021.
El cartel es de forma rectangular con un fondo de color óxido intenso. Una representación en color crema de los Estados Unidos y sus territorios se extienden a lo largo del cartel y está cubierta con ilustraciones de personas de diversas razas, tamaños y discapacidades con trajes coloridos. Escrito en negro en el centro del mapa está el tema de NDEAM 2021, America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion. Bajo el tema en letras más pequeñas están las palabras Mes de Concientización Nacional del Empleo de Personas con Discapacidades. A lo largo de la parte inferior (de izquierda a derecha) está el logotipo de DOL, seguido del logotipo de ODEP, seguido de las palabras Office of Disability Employment Policy United States Department of Labor. En la esquina inferior derecha está el sitio web de ODEP, dol.gov/ODEP, con el hashtagNDEAM debajo.

Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month!

#NDEAM

#EmploymentFirst

#RealWorkRealPay

Web

Here’s a link to submit your story, or one of someone you serve. Please make sure you partner with the person whose story you are sharing.

Submit your Story at this link.