OurLIC SPECIAL REPORT: Employers Discover New Pool of Extraordinary Talent at VISIONS Seminar  3/20/2012

The enthusiasm was so high for the discovery that before the day was out, an estimated 20 job placement opportunities were identified.

Employer panelist, Les Barnes, London Lennie's Restaurant shares his pleasant discovery and experience.   Panelist candidate Elizabeth Suarez wins over the room with natural humor..and a big smile.       Full video coverage and follow up Q&A are available in the left column in 7 segments of approximately three to five minutes each. visions_workforce_20120320_1502-1503 visions_workforce_20120320_1504-1505 visions_workforce_20120320_1506 visions_workforce_20120320_1507 visions_workforce_20120320_1508 visions_workforce_20120320_1509 visions_workforce_20120320_1511

Long Island City, NY March 20, 2012 - Employers always like to identify resources and talented candidates for jobs and assignments that can result in a competitive edge, or an improvement in the way a business process is accomplished. First Les Barnes. owner of London Lennie's Restaurant described how he placed someone in his restaurant's high volumn kitchen, not sure about the safety aspects because of the heavy equipment...and then raved about the discovery he made and the results. Then Rosely Nieves and James Farber, Queens Public Television introduced one of their employees who has helped to change some of the TV Stations technology through creative innovations in technology. Employee Panelists Elizabeth Suarez, Roger Harris, and Josh Cintron provided anecdotal stories about interviews and on the job experiences to reveal the full picture and the opportunity that they bring to employers.  They also drove home the need for further understanding and awareness of the benefits of employing people with vision loss. From customer service to a administration, finance, and high tech development, the impressive accomplishments of employees and candidates became perfectly clear to those in the room.  What also came through loud and clear were the voices of people who were saying "YES I CAN" and "I just want to work". Even louder, what the group gathered began to understand is that people with vision loss often have developed keen talents and skills that are extraordinary and highly desirable for careers. Technology is leveling the playing field for those with vision loss, so barriers to entry to the workforce are coming down. Canddidates demonstrated TABLETS and other hand held device which  enlarger type on screen and even  talk to the user.  ZoomText enlarges and enhances everything on a computer screen. But even more importantly, hidden behind these talented people is a team of other mentors  who begin working with them at the age of 10 to identify talents and prepare people with vision loss for their careers. In fact, the people that are available through the Vision's Workforce Development program are highly qualified for the jobs where they are placed, and have excellent work place attitudes. Participants learn about the benefits of hiring qualified employees with vision loss. At the Visions vocational training center located at 135 West 23rd Street in Manhattan, Visions trains candidates to be completely work ready.  The job readiness services provide the ability to offer employers time and money savings by cutting down the time and expense that it takes to find and hire qualified, educated, and hard working employees. Visons Pre-screen candidates Provide computer training Job Coaching Peer meetings Soft skill preparation Asssist with crafting resumes and cover letters Visions carefully matches candidates to jobs and educates employers regarding accommodations.  People hold positions in every imaginable career area: Call Centers Nurse Teacher Custodian Accountant Web Developer Food Service Worker Customer Service Security Guard Secretary Scientist Attorney Overall this event was a thought-provoking and informational experience for everyone involved. OurLIC attended the VISIONS Employer Awareness and Outreach Event and is making a full video available of this remarkable and enlightening session hosted by Visions,  The Office of the President of Queens, and NY State Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped.   For further information, please contact: VISIONS 212.625.1616 Brenton Hard  146 Michael Cush x 139 Rad Mazon x 156 For information about supporting VISIONS in Queens, please contact: Ruth Schlossman Queens Advisory Board 212.625.1616 or Arthur Rosenfield OurLIC 646-920-4652 Employer panelist, Les Barnes, London Lennie's Restaurant shares his pleasant discovery and experience. Panelist candidate Elizabeth Suarez wins over the room with natural humor..and a big smile. Enthusiastic pledge to hire an intern at Flushing Hospital as CEO Rita Mercieca zeros in on "the heart" personal commitment of the panelists. Queens Public TV employee orginally started as an intern from VISIONS Demonstrating technology Roger Harris, Panelist candidate Brenton Hard, VISIONS NY State Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped Queens office of NY State Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped Nancy D. Miller, LMSW Executive Director/CEO VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

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