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“Do you have access to reliable transportation?”

This seemingly simple question, often asked on a job application or interview, can pose incredible obstacles to a person with a disability. Despite their ability to work and contribute, many individuals with disabilities do not have a driver’s license or access to a vehicle or reliable public transportation, making specific job opportunities inaccessible.

Creating this vital connection to employment, PRIDE Industries provides more than 21,000 rides per month and over 90 routes per day to individuals with disabilities working at PRIDE Industries or with businesses in the community. PRIDE Industries Transit has a fleet of 60 vehicles that cover 52 routes in Placer, Sacramento, Yuba, Nevada, and Sutter Counties in Northern California. PRIDE Industries’ Employment Services also helps individuals navigate public transportation.

Accessible vehicles are not only essential for providing transportation for people with a wide range of disabilities but also senior citizens and those with mobility restrictions. PRIDE’s Transit occasionally helps out in the local community, including for wildfire evacuations.

For more than 13 years, Dan Buchanan has worked as a Bus Driver for PRIDE Industries, transporting employees with disabilities and helping them access opportunities to jobs, paychecks, and independence. He shares his experiences below:

Meet Dan:

“As a Bus Driver, I’m like a captain of a ship. I have the sole responsibility to get employees safely to their destination, starting with the pickup in the morning at their homes and drop-off at work at the Roseville, CA, HQ, or other day programs. Then after a four-hour break, I start the second half of my shift, picking them up and getting them all back home.

When I first got my job at PRIDE, I had zero experience with people with developmental disabilities and felt a little overwhelmed at first. However, it didn’t take long to see how sincere, friendly, and honest the employees that I transport are. Everyone has their own personality traits that you get to learn as time goes on. Most importantly, my passengers love to have fun and tell jokes. My bus has been nicknamed “the party bus.”

As the “captain,” I am also charged with making sure everyone has a pleasant and safe ride, which can be challenging in such a small space with 16 people. To help, I created seating charts on some routes. If the passengers have a respectful attitude, they can sing and make as much noise as they want to!

The best moment of my day is dropping off employees and picking them up at the patio. You get to see so many friendly people that you have transported over the years, and it brightens your day. All of the passengers become very fond of their bus driver, as we spend 2 to 3 hours a day with them. I often receive cards, hand drawn pictures, or a craft item; you can tell that they have spent a lot of time on these objects, and it is very thoughtful.

I have seen how access to transportation makes a difference in people’s lives, as a job gives them meaning and self-respect. When you have been their driver for years, you get to see how employment helps them grow through life. One employee stands out, as I have driven her since the day she started working at PRIDE ten years ago. I have watched her grow into a confident and outgoing person, and I am very proud of her accomplishments and finding a career.”

Joey Villarreal is on his way to make history; after finishing his apprenticeship, he will become the first licensed plumber in the state of Texas who is deaf. Working as a General Maintenance Worker for PRIDE Industries for the last eight years, Joey built up his skills while maintaining military and federal buildings.

“Coming to PRIDE was completely different than any other job,” said Joey. ” I had worked at a print shop where I was the only Deaf employee and struggled with communication. My friend John Ferrales, a General Maintenance Worker at PRIDE’s Ft. Bliss, TX location, encouraged me to apply to PRIDE, and I was hired in December 2011.”

The unemployment rate among individuals who are deaf is incredibly high. Fewer than 40 percent of people with a hearing disability work full time, according to the Yang-Tan Institute at Cornell University’s analysis of 2016 American Community Survey data. Despite the misconceptions that deter businesses from hiring deaf and Hard-of-Hearing employees, they can meet and exceed the job requirements, if given the opportunity.

“The General Maintenance Worker position at PRIDE is perfect for me, as I enjoy working with my hands and figuring out creative ways to fix things,” said Joey. “There is no better feeling than when I’m able to solve a problem that no one else can figure out.”

To facilitate communication, Joey uses VRI (a service that offers a sign language interpreter on-demand) to communicate with co-workers and customers, in addition to the on-site PRIDE ASL (American Sign Language) Job Coach and the IMO App to video message (for ASL signing). With these tools, Joey was able to start mastering a trade while expertly serving PRIDE’s customers.

After years of earned expertise working in the plumbing department, Joey felt ready to advance in his career. “Joey has been a great asset,” said Facilities Supervisor Mike McKibbin. “He has an incredible wealth of knowledge that he shares with the rest of the team, he can repair anything from pneumatic pumps, water lines, and general plant utilities.”

While maintaining his current position last summer, Joey started his apprenticeship under Plumber Lewis Ikey. The plumbing apprenticeship requires 8,000 hours of work, and he will become eligible to test for his journeyman license in 2023.

“Joey always does wonderful work and is always willing to take the time to show new employees (including me) around the facility,” said Raina Stevens, PRIDE Job Coach, and ASL Translator. “We appreciate his efforts towards making our facility a better place to work.”

Joey recently represented PRIDE Industries in the community by giving a presentation to high school students about his experience as a Deaf person in the workforce and finding a career in the technical trades field. “It felt important to encourage the students to aim high for their goals and get an education and on-the-job experience.”

Congratulations Joey! We are looking forward to seeing you earn your plumbing license and making your mark in history.

“I have always wanted to help others achieve their goals. Working for PRIDE has given me this opportunity, as I teach and mentor others in the technical trades field.”

Did You Know?

Fewer than 40% of people with a hearing disability work full-time

“I grew up in Roosevelt, NJ, a small borough with fewer than 1,000 residents. Several members of my family served in the military, including my Grandfather, who told me stories about World War II in Germany. My Uncle volunteered to serve in Vietnam, and my older brother joined the Air Force, and their stories inspired me to join as well.”

“After graduating from high school, I worked at my Uncle’s diesel mechanics shop for a year. The mechanical skills I learned built a foundation for the rest of my career. I initially tried to enlist in the Air Force, but I have a slight hearing impairment and they declined my application. However, the recruiter for the Navy followed me out of the recruiting center and convinced me to join.”

“After enrolling in 1993, I went to the Naval Station Great Lakes to complete basic training near North Chicago, in Lake County, Illinois. Fortunately, my brother told me everything about transitioning to military life, and I found it a smooth experience. I started as an Apprentice, where you build skills based on basic aviation maintenance and cleaning. It was an enjoyable experience, as I was drawn to engines and the power plant division.”

“After training, I served at Naval Air Facility Atsugi in Japan on the USS Independence. My first time serving abroad was a cultural shock. Slowly, I adjusted to my new lifestyle and enjoyed visiting Okinawa and Iwo Jima.”

“In 1995, I served in Operation Southern Watch, the enforcement of a ban on Iraqi warplanes and helicopters. I worked on the flight deck of the USS Independence, that relieved the USS Kennedy. It was an intense experience, we were constantly on target and had jets ready to fly. We never had to defend ourselves, but the tension was thick 24/7. Serving in that campaign made me proud, but I was relieved to return to Japan.”

“I continued to serve on the USS Independence and was often on the sea for months at a time. Our battle group was forward deployed, meaning that in a moment’s notice, we were prepared to go out to sea. I worked on maintaining the 514 Tomcat Aircrafts (same as the one in Top Gun).”

“I retired from the Navy in 1997 and moved back to New Jersey. Unlike my transition to military life, becoming a civilian was hard. First thing I had to do was find a job. Fortunately, my military experience gave me an advantage, and I found work as a mechanic at a methane power plant.”

“For other veterans struggling to return to civilian life, I would advise them not to be ashamed to ask for help. Talking to other veterans helps with the transition progress, you learn that you are not alone.”

“In 2011, a recruiter contacted me about joining PRIDE Industries at their JB-MDL (Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst) Integrated Facilities Management contract. I already had a well-paying job, but PRIDE’s mission of expanding job opportunities for people with disabilities convinced me to join, as this is a cause that’s personally important to me. I was hired as a Small Engine Mechanic and now work as a Small Engine Lead. My coworkers and working on a military base are the best part of my job; they make it all meaningful.”

“Outside of work, I have been a volunteer firefighter and EMT for over ten years with the Roosevelt Volunteer Fire department, which also serves as the town’s police department, traffic control, and public works. We might only get 30 calls a year – but we are always ready. When I first joined, there were only four members. We’ve had ups and downs over the years, but eventually we got up to 18 members.”

“As a military veteran, I am proud to support my country and community.”

“For other veterans struggling to return to civilian life, I would advise them not to be ashamed to ask for help. ”