Workers with Disabilities: Talent for a Winning Team

  • Published
  • By Michael Fletcher
  • 97th AMW Public Affairs
ALTUS AFB --  "I may be the only person at Altus Air Force Base that gets their knee rebuilt each year," said John Soncrant, an integrated systems mechanic in the 97th Maintenance Directorate avionics shop. He pulled up his pants leg to show off a titanium leg and a computerized knee joint. Less than two blocks from his avionics shop he turned a corner on his motorcycle and was hit by a car, leaving his leg attached by only a few muscles and tendons.

Aeromedevaced to Oklahoma City, doctors were unable to save his leg and he spent 10 months in rehabilitation before returning to work.

"My job is repairing printed circuit cards - detail work with electronic test equipment, so there were just minor adjustments that had to be made for me to rejoin the shop," Mr. Soncrant said. "Basically the changes in my working environment were accommodations for a wheelchair access for those days that my leg has sores and I can't wear my prosthetic leg."

Daniel "Arch" Archbold, 97th Maintenance Directorate, is an engine scheduler and production controller, responsible for the central engine control assistance database for jet engines. He has been legally blind for most of his life but has been a civil service employee for 19 years. Being legally blind hasn't stopped him from being a past swimming champion or maintaining a 165 bowling average. Adjustments to his work area required only a large monitor and larger fonts.

Of the 1,205 civilian employees on Altus AFB there are 99 registered with disabilities or handicaps.

Congress in 1945 established October as the official month to recognize contributions that individuals with disabilities have made to the workforce. The theme for this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month is Workers with Disabilities: Talent for a Winning Team.

The Office of Disability Employment Policy has the lead in planning NDEAM activities and materials to increase the public's awareness of the contributions and skills of American workers with disabilities. Various programs carried out throughout the month also highlight the specific employment barriers that still need to be addressed and removed. In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to "National Disability Employment Awareness Month."