Equus Celebrates National Disability Independence Day!
Equus is proud to support the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on its 31st anniversary. On July 26, we celebrate this important civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation and all public and private places. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. Learn how our partners at Eastern Indiana Works helped Brenda Piper on her career journey.
Meet Brenda Piper
Brenda was only two-years-old when doctors determined that her ability to see the world would progressively deteriorate as she aged. It wasn’t until Brenda was 16-years-old that this reality had truly set in. Being deemed legally blind, Brenda was informed that driving would never be an option for her, but in her determination to work, she became very familiar with public transportation. “I’ve spent my whole entire life waiting for rides,” Brenda said.
For the next 50 years, Brenda spent her time relying on city buses or rides from friends and family to accomplish daily living activities. After being jobless for more than three years, but never hopeless, she visited the Muncie Eastern Indiana Works Career Center to gain assistance in returning to the workforce. Career coaches worked in tandem with Brenda to update her resume and helped her apply to opportunities of interest.
After many honest efforts, job searches and applications, Brenda contacted career center staff to celebrate that she had accepted a job offer at a local restaurant. She is thrilled to say that all her hard work and patience paid off as she is excited for the next step in her career journey.