My start with HireAbility Vermont:
My experience with HireAbility Vermont has been absolutely unbelievable. It’s like, all of a sudden, all of these amazing people have gathered around me for support, and everyone is just so patient and understanding and incredibly knowledgeable and generous. I feel like I’m on the path to a career that will be much more suited to me. With the help of HireAbility Vermont, I am reinstating my teaching license. I received a bachelor’s degree back in the early 90s, and then… life happened. I never actually had my own classroom beyond my student teaching. Now with just three classes, I’ll be able to reinstate my teaching license. My goal, my dream, is to have my own classroom.
I worked with the State of Vermont’s Assistive Technology Program and they were incredible. They have access to all kinds of equipment that you can try out to see if it’ll work for you. It all kind of seems a little too good to be true. There’s money to help me with the equipment, so that I can get set up ergonomically at home. One of my goals is to do as much of my work as possible from home.
HireAbility is also helping me revise my resume, which is looking amazing. It’s incredible how much confidence that process has helped build.
I’m embarrassed to say I have a disability. I don’t like saying it. I feel like I don’t deserve all this support. What really brought tears to my eyes, and still does, is when I told my counselor that and she said, “You know what, every single person I work with says that.” Hearing that breaks my heart.
What HireAbility Vermont means to me:
So, what does it mean to me? It’s empowering. HireAbility has so many resources available. They are truly transforming people’s lives and improving their quality of life. Everybody, who I’ve been in contact with has been so incredibly kind, respectful, and encouraging. We’re all human. I found courage in myself to just be proud of who I am and the way I am. To not feel bad about what I can’t do and instead focus on what I can do.
My advice for anyone who is thinking about connecting with HireAbility Vermont:
It’s so hard for people to ask for help. That’s something that I think many of us have in common. It’s not a sign of weakness; it’s actually a sign of strength to be able to ask for and accept help.
Life is hard enough, but if you’re having difficulty finding a good job simply because you’re unable to do certain things physically or mentally, HireAbility helps break down those barriers and helps you get your life back. Don’t hesitate.