Debbie has worked in the mailroom of the Phoenix IRS Building for the past 3 years as a Beacon Group AbilityOne employee. Her job entails processing and sorting mail, receiving and logging packages, and greeting and assisting IRS employees with their mail.

Prior to working in the AbilityOne program, Debbie worked for the IRS for 36 years at the Glendale office. She retired in 2019, but decided to start working again and is happy she was able to return to the IRS through Beacon’s AbilityOne program.

Debbie enjoys working with Beacon staff as well as the IRS employees she interacts with on a daily basis. “It’s one of the best parts of the job,” she says.

However, what makes the job a perfect fit for her is the organization’s focus on her abilities—what she can do very well—rather than their disability. This has built self-esteem and confidence, which in turn helps her be a better employee day in and day out.

An important pillar of the AbilityOne program is providing accommodations for employees. When an employee needs an accommodation or training in a certain area of their job, Beacon is quick to respond and provide the necessary supports.

“They [Beacon Group] know my limitations and they don’t push it,” says Debbie. “I know what I can do well, and Beacon works with that.”

For more information about the AbilityOne program, click here.