Lexington grad helps people with disabilities find jobs

MOUNT GILEAD – Patty Ortiz has difficulty walking.

She recalls going to a job interview and having the potential employer tell her not to bother even getting out of her car because of the stairs.

Such is the job market for many people with disabilities. Scot Howard, a 1992 Lexington High School graduate, tries to break down those barriers as an employment specialist and program developer for Greenleaf Job Training Services.

Greenleaf, a Columbus-based company, is an employment center for people with differing abilities.

Howard is one of those people. He was born with a condition that causes children to lose their central vision and sometimes their peripheral vision.

Howard had laser surgery on both eyes when he was only 10 months old because his retinas were deteriorating.

“If they hadn’t done the surgery, I eventually would have gone blind,” Howard said.

Howard says he now has one “good” eye with 20/100 vision. The other eye is 20/300.

He remembers having to sit in the front of class while attending school to see the chalkboard. One counselor evidently thought Howard’s vision difficulties would hold him back.

According to Howard, that counselor discouraged him from taking college prep courses, telling him he wouldn’t pass.

“Of course, I didn’t listen,” he said. “I’m real competitive.”

Howard attended Wright State, a university known for working with people with disabilities.

Next month, he will have been at Greenleaf for 13 years. In addition to helping people with disabilities prepare for job opportunities through interviewing skills and resume writing, Howard works with employers.

“We’re prescreening the applicants,” he said. “We’re not trying to put a round peg in a square hole.”

Howard tells employers that people with disabilities tend to stay at their jobs. Such loyalty is one of the selling points.

“Most employers are very receptive once they catch onto the process and what we do,” Howard said. “Of course, there always are some employers who struggle with the concept right out of the gate.”

Ortiz, 59, has struggled to find a job. She hopes to be a receptionist or some type of office worker. She also believes in Howard.

“He’s very encouraging. He doesn’t say: ‘You’re not suited to be such and such,’ ” Ortiz said. “You feel like you have a friend helping you find a job.”

Howard said he remembers being overlooked because of his poor vision.

“Having a disability myself, I know how I’ve been treated,” he said. “I know how I want to be treated and reciprocate that with the people I work with.”

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

Twitter: @MNJCaudill