Workers in Action Shelly Hanscom Walmart, Princeton “It’s difficult to job search when you have a disability,” said Shelly Hanscom, who has multiple sclerosis. “I would get called in for an interview, but when the interviewer saw my cane, I would never get the job.” Hanscom’s job counselor directed her toward Industries, Inc. for assistance. The organization helped Hanscom complete a job application at Wal-Mart and earn a position at the store in Princeton. Someone from Industries, Inc. attended the orientation with her to ensure she understood the tasks and expectations. Hanscom began as a cashier during the holiday season and was asked to stay on to work in the apparel department. “I sort clothes and handle returns,” she said. “It’s kind of like working at home…picking up after people!” A representative from Industries, Inc. continues to stay in touch with Hanscom to check in about the job and ensure it is going well. “People can’t let their disability dictate their lives,” she advises. “Every day is a new day. You just have to keep trying.”
Ashley Berg | Jo-Ann Fabric, Brainerd Ashley Berg, who has a learning disability, credits a large part of her career success to the OSP in Brainerd. “The best way for me to maintain a job is to learn from a list,” said Berg, who got work experience at a pet store before her current job as general employee who “does a little bit of everything” at Jo-Ann Fabric in Brainerd. “In a few weeks at Jo-Ann Fabric, I learned their expectations of me and I got the hang of it.”
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Berg also sits on the advisory board of the OSP to ensure that it continues to help others. “OSP taught me how to live on my own, which is just as important as job skills,” she said. A lot of people with disabilities graduate high school not knowing what they want to do or what they are able to do. I hope that a lot of people can find out about OSP and learn where they want to go in life.”