October 13 – Linette Roberts (NDEAM Success Story)

Celebrating Our Successes!

Reflecting the important role that different perspectives play in workforce success, this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) theme is “Inclusion Drives Innovation.” Observed each October, NDEAM celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and educates about the value of a workforce inclusive of their skills and talents.

The Philadelphia “Employment 1st, Employment NOW!” Steering Committee is celebrating this year’s event with a month of employment success stories. Each day you will be receiving an email containing a new story about someone who is contributing to their community through employment. We invite you to join us as we celebrate their successes!

I Can Do It!

Linette Roberts is an engaging 38 year old woman with many dreams and aspirations and a spirit of determination to succeed. Linette works at Vision for Equality (VFE) as a data collector for Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q). In that role, she works with different staff at VFE and meets a lot of people. Her job consists of taking notes and keeping track of information she collects in the course of monitoring visits. She has been employed at VFE for over 4 years and will be starting her fifth year monitoring cycle this fall.

Linette holding a copy of the IM4Q monitoring documentWhen asked what she likes best about her job, she says with a great big smile, “I love everything”. Linette spoke eloquently about what working means to her at the recent Disability Pride Day at the National Constitution Center. Linette originally started at Vision several years ago at the urging of her friend, Yvette. She left when Yvette left but decided she would like to come back.

In addition to her work at Vision, she volunteers at Star Harbor Senior Center. Linette held two different jobs prior to Vision and has established a solid work history and resume. She has found most of the jobs and volunteer experiences on her own.

Linette has a lot of energy and a “can-do” attitude. She is definitely a people person. She has varied interests and enjoys social activities with family and friends. She is looking forward to going on a family vacation this fall. She loves life. Linette has a five year plan. She would like to have a job that provides enough income so she could live on her own in an apartment, maybe with a dog. Career wise, she would like to develop computer skills. But she is not yet set on one path. She also enjoys children and might like to operate a day care center. She has experience babysitting and has done some volunteer child care work. Keep your eye on Linette. Whatever she sets her mind on, she can do it!!! Linette Roberts,

 – submitted by VFE / IM4Q

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