Success Stories

Ryan McDonald

Ryan McDonald has been deaf since birth. His hearing parents, however, raised him to be a typical young boy playing baseball and football with the neighborhood kids. Ryan never considered his deafness to be a disability, only a stumbling block in communicating effectively with others.

Ryan knew he wanted to become a draftsman when he approached the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services for help. He enjoyed the precise nature of this craft, and knew it was a job he could perform despite his deafness. Based on this vocational goal, MDRS assisted Ryan in obtaining the education necessary to earn a drafting degree from Hinds Community College. Continuing their assistance, the staff at MDRS began to prepare Ryan to adapt successfully in a hearing world.

Ryan’s biggest obstacle was that his deafness combined with his natural shyness made it difficult for him to communicate in the business world. When responding to questions posed by MDRS staff, he would only communicate with one-word answers. “It was a very slow process,” states Greg Goldman, the MDRS Interpreter assigned to Ryan’s case. “We worked diligently with Ryan on mock interviews, because we knew he would need to have those skills to get a job.” After weeks of coaching Ryan on how to answer questions during an interview, he finally began to feel comfortable. Eventually, the MDRS Employment Coordinator assisting Ryan in his search for a job moved him from the mock interview setup to actual interviews with potential employers. As Ryan’s interviewing skills improved his confidence level grew until, finally, he landed the job that would best utilize his education and skills.

Michael Baker, Jr., Inc., a Jackson-based engineering firm, was the first company to realize Ryan’s potential. “When MDRS contacted me about hiring Ryan, I looked at his qualifications and his abilities first,” states Bob Beasley, Senior Geographic Information Technology Project Manager at Baker. “He had very strong drafting skills and he presented himself well in the interview. Even though I had never given any thought to hiring someone with a disability, I thought Ryan certainly deserved a chance.” As part of the job placement program, MDRS paid Ryan’s salary during a job tryout period. Additionally, a trainer was provided to work with Ryan on the job for four weeks, and interpreter services were offered to ensure effective communication between Ryan, his supervisor, and his co-workers. After the job tryout period ended, MDRS facilitated the provision of on the job training for Ryan. In addition to his training, MDRS also purchased assistive technology devices to insure his safety and productivity at work. These devices included a TTY machine for telephone communication and a visual fire alarm device installed at his desk.

“None of us here at Baker had been around someone who is deaf so the support we received from MDRS was important in helping us feel comfortable communicating with Ryan,” states Mr. Beasley. In the beginning Mr. Beasley even learned sign language, but rarely needs to use it. Ryan is a skillful lip reader, and the staff uses notes and the office computer network to supplement their communication with him.

Mr. Beasley also believes that Ryan’s deafness, instead of being a hindrance, has actually kept him from being distracted like the other employees sometimes are. Ryan has been a hard worker, a quick learner and has expanded his skills far above the level of technical draftsman. Additionally, his social skills have improved. His interpreter from MDRS, who remains in contact with Ryan, has noted the changes in Ryan since being employed at Baker. While he used to isolate himself, he is now seen engaging in conversation with his co-workers and is much more self-assured and outgoing.

Ryan’s experience at Baker has proven to be a growing experience for him as well as his co-workers. Everyone understands that he is hearing impaired, but he also has proven that he has the skills necessary to do the job. “If MDRS were to send me another job candidate, I would have to consider them based on my experience with Ryan and the support the agency has given us,” adds Bob. “I couldn’t walk away from the chance of getting another good employee.”