This National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), we’re proud to celebrate the incredible contributions of employees who support inclusive work environments and advocate for individuals with disabilities in the workforce. NDEAM is a time to recognize the importance of ensuring that all people, regardless of ability, have equal access to meaningful employment. At Humanim, we’re proud to spotlight one of our most dedicated and innovative job coaches, Lionel, who exemplifies this commitment every day.
Lionel is an expert in his role, providing methods and strategies to enable those we serve to be productive and successful in the workplace. He routinely comes up with innovative ideas and shares them with members of the vocational team so that everyone can benefit from his insights. Courteous and helpful to others, Lionel is highly respected by those with whom he comes in contact and is an exemplary role model to all. Lionel always shows his coworkers, the individuals we serve and their families respect, while listening to their thoughts and concerns. Beyond being a great listener, Lionel is known for always enthusiastically welcoming new employees to the organization and helping them feel at ease in their new role.
Three years ago, when a co-worker working within Deaf Services was forced to take a leave of absence, Lionel, with very limited signing skills and some reservations, was able to step in and provide vocational support to five deaf individuals. While it was intended to be a short-term role, Lionel excelled so much that he is still working with Deaf Services. Lionel used the position as an opportunity to improve his signing skills. The employers of the deaf and hard of hearing individuals working with Lionel consistently remark that they are thankful to have him as a resource, serving as a connection between them and the individuals, ultimately making a better work environment for everyone.
Lionel continues to learn how to better assist the individuals he serves and develops methods for helping them to better understand the realities of being employed. He always goes the extra mile to provide compassion and takes time to listen. He recognizes crisis situations when they occur, and provides whatever assistance or methods are needed for a positive outcome. Lionel is always willing to roll up his sleeves and involve himself with whatever needs to be accomplished. Just recently, when one individual on his caseload was not thoroughly cleaning his work area, Lionel picked up some cleaning products and did some first-hand modelling. It’s a small example, but it exemplifies Lionel’s hands on approach.
Lionel likes to joke about how he never says no, as his philosophy concerning issues or problems is “set them up and knock them down.” Meaning, he is always willing and able to figure out a way to get the job done and adjust to changes in structure. Humanim is lucky to have Lionel!