OKLAHOMA CITY -- Robert Girard has what it takes to get a job -- work experience, advanced training, and a strong desire to make products with his hands in a woodworking or metal shop.

A Chickasha resident for many years, Girard, 35, has power tools, the necessary skills and performance awards from previous jobs, but many employers are reluctant to give him a chance. That’s because Girard has Usher syndrome.

The condition caused deafness and retinitis pigmentosa, an eye disorder limiting his vision to the central area directly in front of him.

Technically, Girard is deaf-blind, a disability that many associate with Helen Keller, the author and lecturer who remains one of the best known Americans with deaf-blindnessome 40 years after her death.

Unlike Keller, however, Girard has useable vision.

“People don’t need to be afraid of hiring a person who is deaf-blind,” Girard said through a sign language interpreter. “If an employer will give me a chance, I‘m willing to do whatever I need to do so I can be productive and support myself.”

Girard’s Visual Services rehabilitation counselor Janie Fugitt hopes that new incentives, such as stimulus fund payments to employers for hiring and training qualified workers with disabilities, will help him find a job soon. The agency may also pay a percentage of the new employees’ monthly salaries for a short time with the understanding that they will be hired on a permanent basis if they meet the job standards.

Fugitt coordinates with Joan Blake and Services to the Deaf Direct Care Specialist Keri Nutt to help Girard locate and follow up on job leads. Dale Rogers Training Center Job Coach Vivian Kelleher is an important part of the job search team.

Girard moved from Chickasha, where his family still resides on the farm, to improve him employment chances.

While he waits to be hired, Girard makes and sells wooden crafts with holiday or fantasy themes -- the kind that people put in their yards. He uses carbon paper or an overhead projector to sketch designs, an electric saw to cut the shapes and finally paints and assembles the finished pieces.

“I can see to do this work,” he explains, “and I don’t get hurt.”

Others also see his potential.

”Robert works hard to find a job and has done all the right things,” said Joan Blake, specialist on deaf-blindness for the Division of Visual Services in the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS). “He should be wildly successful, but he comes up against a brick wall.”

To increase public awareness about the needs and abilities of Oklahomans with severe sight and hearing impairments, Gov. Brad Henry declared June 21-27 as Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week in Oklahoma

While specific employment numbers are not available for deaf-blind workers, U.S. Census data indicates that 37.7 percent of Oklahomans with all types of disabilities, ages 16 to 64, are employed, compared to 80.4 percent of individuals in the same age range with no disabilities.

To boost Girard’s employment chances, DRS’ Visual Services sent him to the Helen Keller National Center in Sands Point, N. Y., for assessment and intensive training focused on employment skills, travel, computer use, and financial and household management.

Rehabilitation of the Blind Specialist Christine Baldwin worked with Girard on travel skills and orientation to his apartment, bus routes and safe travel routes to potential jobs.

“Robert might need DRS to provide an interpreter when he’s first on the job, but once he learns the job he won’t need an interpreter most of the time, Brinkley said.

Girard also communicates with written notes.

“People with vision and hearing losses can do many jobs very well and can live independently in their own homes, like Robert does, assisted by special technology,” Joan Blake said. “About the only thing they can’t do is get in the car and drive.”

“Sometimes the boss and co-workers are not willing to work with me,” Girard said, “but those who gave me a chance in the past found out I can be a benefit to the company.

For more information about available services for Oklahomans who are deaf and blind, contact Joan Blake at (405) 522-3417.

or email jblake@drs.state.ok.us /.