Disabled employees vital to Air Force’s mission

  • Published
  • By Air Force Personnel Center and Keesler News staff
  • Keesler Public Affairs
The Air Force strives to raise awareness of programs for people with disabilities, not just during National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month in October, but throughout the year. 

Heather Williams, a Keesler civilian for more than two years, is one of 139,342 employees with disabilities currently working for the Air Force. She lost a leg to cancer when she was 13 and wears prosthesis. 

Mrs. Williams went to work for a Gulfport law firm in 1996 after earning a bachelor's degree in paralegal studies from the University of Southern Mississippi. 

When Hurricane Katrina slammed south Mississippi more than three years ago, she lost her job. She came to Keesler in October 2005 to work at Keesler Federal Credit Union. She began her federal career the following June as a secretary in the 81st Supply Squadron. Now she's a military pay technician in the 81st Comptroller Squadron. 

"I just applied for a job and got it," Ms. Williams said. "My disability didn't come into play." 

The only time she had any difficulty doing her job was when she had to give permanent change of station briefings in old Cody Hall while hurricane repairs were completed at Sablich Center. 

"The briefings were held upstairs and there were no elevators in that old building, so they moved the briefings downstairs," Ms. Williams remembered. 

"Heather has provided exceptional dedication to mission accomplishment, extraordinary job performance and demonstrated unparalleled technical expertise in her position," said Tech. Sgt. Freda Burks, 81st CPTS financial services flight chief. "Her efforts have been extraordinary, yielding numerous accolades for her professionalism and job knowledge from countless members. In fact, one customer stated that she gave the best and most comprehensive finance briefing that he has ever attended. 

"She's solely responsible for all processing of commanders, colonels and general officers at Keesler and has been commended from every level for her outstanding performance," Sergeant Burks mentioned. "She's been our squadron's civilian of the quarter, Dragon of the Week in the Keesler News and earned our flight's most valuable peer award." 

The Air Force provides reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. This includes ensuring work areas are handicap-accessible, providing licensed practical nurses or assistants for employees, offering Braille or large print documents and other assistance. 

The federal Client Assistance Program can provide scooters, special chairs, computer and teleconferencing equipment and other aids for employees with disabilities. 

Across the Air Force, other employees have overcome physical challenges to accomplish the mission. 

At Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Raymond Jenks is instructional technology flight chief for the 37th Training Support Squadron. Although the 14-year employee is paralyzed from the neck down because of a spinal injury, he's recognized as a mentor, problem-solver and the go-to guy for the toughest projects, according to Lt. Col. Stephen Landry, his squadron commander. 

"He's a great guy and his expertise is invaluable," said Colonel Landry remarked. 

"There are so many (disabled) people out there who are so smart," Mr. Jenks pointed out. "They are just not very assertive. Frankly, a lot of people are scared and don't know how to move forward when something like this happens." 

Susan Boyd, a senior engineer at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, doesn't let multiple sclerosis slow her down. The disease prevents her from walking and affects the dexterity of her hands, but she's frequently seen zipping through the office on her scooter or wheelchair, always hard at work. 

"I've found that persistence and a positive attitude are the keys to success and happiness in both your career and personal life," said Ms. Boyd. "My MS has changed the way I work only in that I have a lot more difficulty with mobility. It just makes the general logistics of the job more difficult. I have to do a lot more planning for things I'm going to attend. 

"When another co-worker and I had trouble accessing our boss' office with our scooter and wheelchair, they redesigned the doorway," she added. 

At Keesler, the manager for the People with Disabilities program is June Clemenes, 376-8720.