'Finding a job isn't easy when you're in a wheelchair.' (UWV Facebook)
UWV Facebook – “Finding a job isn’t easy when you’re in a wheelchair. But that didn’t stop Frank from pursuing his career in communications. A job coach put Frank in touch with a design firm where he could work as a communications specialist. “I’m now in a place where I can be myself and totally come into my own!
Frank is in a wheelchair due to a lack of oxygen at birth. “I studied journalism, but ended up not getting my degree. After college, I had several jobs in communications and journalism. I started at a local broadcaster in 2008. Then the economic crisis hit and I had to look for other work. Some other jobs followed, but they were only temporary contracts. At one company there was no elevator, so I was on the first floor, while the rest of the employees were on the second floor. Sometimes you have to deal with literal barriers. Employers often see a wheelchair as a problem.
When I got in touch with Nadia, owner of Ictoria, the first conversation was immediately nice. Ictoria is a digital creative agency and is hired by other companies for web design and communications. I had just worked at Philips for a while, but when my contract here expired I developed health problems. Even though I was not yet fit enough to work, my job coach at UWV already shared my resume with Nadia. And Nadia was so enthusiastic that she called me immediately. Not long after that, I started working at design agency Ictoria, as a communications specialist. In this role, I advise companies on their communications.
I am not yet working full-time and have partial Wajong benefits. But my goal is to get back to work full-time. In the meantime, I have also started an education, to expand my knowledge in the field of communication!
Also read Tommy’s story. Despite his visual impairment, he found a suitable job as a guide at a museum where blind and visually impaired people take you into their world: https://u.uwv.nl/v21j8ywo
Click on the link for the original post on the UWV Facebook channel.
