Alexander Secretary with Visual Impairment Nominated for Award

Tauny Chaffin of Alexander has been nominated as a candidate for the Annual Consumer of the Year Award to be presented by Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Services for the Blind (DSB). The overall winner will be named at the end of the year.

“When Mrs. Chaffin began receiving services from DSB, she was a homemaker. She fully participated in the development of her (rehabilitation) plan and in turn actively participated in implementing the goals outlined in the plan to achieve an employment outcome,” Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Mary Douglas said, explaining why she nominated Chaffin, who now works for a state agency, Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, and earns competitive wages and benefits.

Chaffin said she was diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma. “I was born blind, and I attended Arkansas School for the Blind (ASB). I first learned about Division Services for the Blind while I was in high school. I got involved in the job training summer program, which was a program for students called JTPA (Jobs Training Partnership Act), and I was assigned as a secretary at DSB. While working there, I learned about the different programs that were offered to the blind and visually impaired community and developed some work skills. During my senior year I met with a counselor from DSB to plan my career path that I wanted to take. DSB paid for me to attend Draughon's Business College in Little Rock Arkansas, and I obtained a certificate in Word Processing.” After graduating, she found a temporary job as a secretary at ASB.  

“Several years went by, and I contacted DSB again. My counselor put me in contact with a job placement person, and I got a full-time job at Burlington Coat Factory as a Sales Associate. While I was there, I received an Outstanding Employee of the Year Award through the American Council for the Blind. My supervisor would always say I was her best right hand and that she wished she had about five of me to go around the store,” recalls Chaffin.

“I decided to make a career change. I knew I could do better, so I contacted DSB and asked them to send me to Lions World Services for the Blind to brush up on my computer skills. I received my second Word Processing certificate. When I completed the program, I had a job working for the state as a Secretary II and later as a Personnel Officer I. My supervisors would say that I have excellent organization skills. Then my daughter was born with some medical issues, and I decided it was best for my family for me to be a stay-at-home mom,” Chaffin said.

“I was home for five years and had to have three different eye surgeries and had some difficulties during and after surgery. With the high cost of living and other family issues, I knew I needed to go back to work, so I contacted DSB again. I had the option of becoming a Vending Stand Operator or look for a job with the state. I was already invested in retirement by working for the state previously. I worked for the Vending Stand Program as extra-help until I found a full-time position. I am presently working for the state as Administrative Specialist I and love the agency that I work for. In the future I am planning to attend college to get a Bachelors or Masters Degree, so I can get a promotion,” she said.

Chaffin says she is a member of the American Council of the Blind, the National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments, and the Arkansas Association of Rehabilitation Support Staff.

“I would like to thank DSB for the services that have been provided to me. Without God, counselors, co-workers, supervisors, friends, relatives and teachers, I would not be as successful as I am today,” Chaffin said. “DSB has provided training, job placement, independent living skills and, in the past, assistive technology equipment in order for me to be able to do my job.

Chaffin also received visual aids and dental restoration which boosted her moral and courage to enter the competitive work market, her counselor said.

 “My family is very supportive with my disability,” Chaffin said, explaining her husband’s mother, now deceased, was visually impaired, along with his sister and other relatives who are visually impaired. “My son grew up around it, and by my daughter being visually impaired, I will help guide her in the direction she needs to go.”

Chaffin is more than a number to DSB; she’s a success and an inspiration. DSB is privileged to recognize Chaffin for a job well done and trusts that success will continue to follow this deserving individual, who has demonstrated that with determination, blindness is not a barrier to competitive employment. Hundreds of Arkansans with a disability return to work each year after receiving vocational rehabilitation services.

DSB provides vocational rehabilitation services to individuals who are blind or severely visually impaired and whose goal is successful employment. DSB also serves youth and older blind individuals. People wanting information about DSB’s programs and services can call 1-800-960-9270 or 501-682-5463 or visit the DSB website at http://www.arkansas.gov/dhs/dsb/NEWDSB/index.htm.