Lighthouse gives Dyess jobs to visually impaired locals

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Carolyn Viss
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Dyess' service center hires an unusual group of cashiers and shelf stockers - they might not be able to see what they're selling, but they keep up with the flow of patrons as well as or better than any other customer service personnel. 

The San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind, an organization that employs the visually impaired, won a contracting bid in 1998 when the 7th Logistics Readiness Squadron decided to convert the shop from military-run to civilian-run. David Riley, who's legally blind, jumped at the chance to work here. 

"I like the opportunity to come to work on base," said the 42-year-old who's suffered from optic nerve atrophy since birth. He uses a closed-circuit TV and computer combination to magnify regular type by up to 16 times, allowing him to read text that he wouldn't ordinarily be able to see. 

Mr. Riley said he's been using the technology since 1992. He received his training in Dallas, one of the Lighthouse "hubs" so to speak, said Manuel Serrata, the base service center manager. Other training centers are in Austin, San Antonio, and major Texas cities. He also frequently uses a handheld magnifier, which allows him to read shelf labels and tags on the merchandise. 

"I've worked for the IRS, grocery stores, and workshops before," Mr. Riley said. "I really like working here, because a lot of the things that I used to help manufacture, like pens, are things that I get to sell." 

Perfect vision is 20/20, Mr. Riley said. Legal blindness occurs at 20/200. His left eye - his "good" eye - is 20/700, and his right eye is 20/1400. That means with his good eye he can see at 20 feet what most people can see at 700 feet. He can count fingers only if they're as close as two feet. 

"Without this technology, I wouldn't be able to read or use a computer," Mr. Riley said. "I use it to ring people up and read their equipment issue letters from government purchase card holders, which tell me what they're authorized to purchase. This is my tool - just like a carpenter uses a hammer, I use this computer to do my job." 

Mr. Serrata said that when the 7th Contracting Squadron awarded the contract to the Lighthouse, they refurbished the supply store at their own expense and installed the special computers. 

Although the Dyess store has openings for two visually impaired employees, Mr. Riley is the only blind Abilene resident who qualifies for the job here. He spends his own money for a local transportation company to bring him to the base, which costs extra since it's considered outside the normal Abilene route. But he never complains. 

"I love working here," he said. "People are pretty cool about (my disability). Mine's not as obvious as some people's because I have partial vision, but usually when people find out they've received it well and are very patient. I've never had anyone complain that I'm not going fast enough. Besides, I'd rather be a little slow and stay accurate." 

And "I can't" isn't part of his vocabulary either. 

"I never say 'I can't' unless I've exhausted all my resources," Mr. Riley said. "If I've tried everything I can think of, asked for suggestions, and am just not physically able, I'll get help; but I don't give up easily." 

His friendly personality is perfect for a customer service role, said Staff Sgt. Timothy Thornton, 317th Aircraft Maintenance noncommissioned officer in charge of mobility equipment, who comes to the store two to three times a week for unit supplies. 

"I've always had great customer service here," Sergeant Thornton said. "I've never had to wait in line for very long at all, even when there are a number of people at the checkout. David and I have developed a really rapport."