APSE Job Seeker Story: Lindsey
Guest Blogger: An AZ APSE Board Member
Arizona APSE wants to highlight the stories of job seekers with disabilities all over our state. Everyone’s experience is different and can provide valuable insight into how we advocate for their success. Today we will meet Lindsey Eaton, a 27-year-old with autism.
My name is Lindsey Eaton and I am 27 years old. I have autism. Growing up, I watched many of my family members work competitive paying jobs and I knew I wanted to work. I had the opportunity to participate in the Project SEARCH program in Arizona at Medtronic. I completed this program and then secured a job.
Unfortunately, I experienced a barrier in getting Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services. My first counselor told me I would never work.
I have successfully held many jobs that allowed me to work competitively. But my passion has always been something to do with kids within an office setting at a school. In early 2022, my parents reached out to the principal of a local private school. I found out about an opening at Christ Lutheran School to be their Office Assistant part-time. I had my interview and I accepted my job. I started my job in August 2022 and I love it. I help out with tasks like shredding, copying, delivering lost and found items to the students in all grades, kindergarten through eighth grade, and passing out hot lunches to the students. In an effort to be a team player, I often offer to assist with other tasks if someone asks for help.
When I started, I received VR services through HOPE Group. My job coach helped me learn my job including how to manage boundaries in relationships with co-workers, how to deal with changes in my schedule, as well as helping to implement systems like visuals for certain tasks, such as how to safely load hot lunches into an oven warmer. Since I started my job, I have grown immensely and have learned many skills including how to deal with changes in my schedule, how to advocate for myself, and how to communicate with my supervisor professionally over email. I have natural supports in place, including supportive co-workers who are beyond kind and supportive. They check in with me throughout the day at work. My supervisor and mentor is beyond supportive, and kind and she allows me to ask her any questions I have throughout the day, both in person and at the end of the day through our daily email updates. With these natural supports in place, I was recently able to graduate from VR services. I was originally kind of nervous to graduate from services but now I have full confidence moving forward. I have a supportive team of people behind me including my supervisor, job coach, DDD support coordinator, and amazing VR counselor.
My job has given me a purpose and helped me learn how to be a team player. The two days that I work are often the best days of my week. I encourage employers to hire people with disabilities. Give us a chance to work for your company. We are reliable, dependable, and hard-working. We often outlast people without disabilities.
Arizona APSE thanks Lindsey for sharing her story. We would also like to thank her for joining our Board of Directors this year! We hope this is a reminder to everyone that all people can work with the right supports.
