Team Sheppard recognizes disabled workers

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jacob Corbin
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  When someone sees a person with a handicap of some sort, they tend to only see what's wrong with them, what they can't do.

The message at the inaugural National Disability Employment Awareness Breakfast was clear though when you see someone with a disability, don't focus on it, focus on their abilities.

Team Sheppard does just that, with over 11.8% of its civilian workforce having a disability of some sort.

Sherry Murray-Garret, 82nd Training Wing Equal Employment Opportunity chief, said Team Sheppard employs a large percent of disabled individuals and watches out for them. She said in her time here, there have been only a handful of EEO cases involving those with disabilities that went farther than simple mediation.

"We strive to take care of our own," Mrs. Murray-Garret said. "We're a family. We're Team Sheppard."

Doris Lackey, the chief of plans and programs, at the 82nd Contracting Squadron, said the people she's encountered at Sheppard have done everything they could to accommodate her.

Mrs. Lackey, who had polio as a child, is unable to walk unassisted.

Pearlene Carr, a procurement technician with the 82nd CONS, also said Team Sheppard is very supportive. Mrs. Carr has a left-side deficit resulting from a stroke.

Mrs. Carr said she has never let her disability stop her, and has followed the advice her mother gave her - she set a goal and continue to push towards it.

Mrs. Murray-Garret said if Sheppard neglected its disabled personnel it would be missing out on very talented people.

"There are some wonderful people with disabilities out there," she said. "Take care of your people, because they'll take care of you."

She said there are numerous tools and resources available for people wanting to accommodate disabled employees, from software and tools to training for those resources. Two such organizations are Tricare's Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program and the Job Accommodation Network.

After spending time with those who have a disability, one might begin to wonder how disabled their injuries and conditions have truly left them.

"I admire (those with disabilities)," Mrs. Murray-Garret said. "We tend to have pity parties for ourselves. But then you see people who are disabled who just charge on, (who don't let anything stop them)."

For more information on National Disability Employment Awareness month, please visit http://www.dol.gov/odep.