By: Jennifer Moxley
CHARLOTTE — With record-breaking unemployment, many people are struggling to find work.
The current job market is especially difficult for people with disabilities. Even in a good period for employment, people who are deaf, blind of have some other disability often have a hard time finding companies that will hire them.
That’s where Preferred Alternatives steps in.
Tuesday, the North Carolina-based agency worked with Cynthia – a deaf and visually-impaired woman seeking employment in the Charlotte area – to help her get ready to find work.
Cynthia, who relies on an interpreter to communicate with people who don’t know sign language, went through a mock job interview with Preferred Alternatives and Harkey Tile and Stone to work on overcoming her fears.
“Everyone deserves a chance at a job,” said Jeff Harkey, of Harkey Tile and Stone. His company helps with the practice interviews so people like Cynthia can find a job. “This way, these people can be prepared. They’re not walking into something they’re not familiar with.”
Job coaches with Preferred Alternatives go along for the interviews and help their clients work through the process.
“I think 95 percent probably are too afraid to go out and approach someone because they’re afraid of the problems with the communication they might have or they’re afraid people are going to look at them funny,” explained Jordan Wright, a coordinator for Preferred Alternatives.
The organization started work last spring, and so far Preferred Alternatives leaders say they’ve been successful at placing their clients into jobs.
