DoD recognizes disabled Bolling AFB employee

  • Published
  • By Aletha Frost
  • Air Force District of Washington
AIR FORCE DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON --  The Defense Department officials recognized the work and contributions made by disabled contract employees during a ceremony held at the Pentagon Oct. 21. 

Among those recognized at the event was Keith Tyson, a retail associate employee at the Blind Industries and Services of Maryland's Office Eagle Supply Center, at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. Mr. Tyson, who is legally blind, has worked at Office Eagle for eight years.

Mr. Tyson, a Washington, D.C. native, lost sight in his right eye at the age of four and by his teenage years, had lost the remainder of his sight in both eyes to glaucoma.

Mr. Tyson uses several pieces of assistive equipment to help him in his daily tasks at Office Eagle, such as a talking hand-held barcode scanner, talking registers and computer voice applications so he can check the availability or price of a product.

Mr. Tyson can recall information on over 2,000 line items identified by their 13 digit barcode numbers and their placement in the warehouse. Within eight months of his employment, he had mastered the layout of the store and the warehouse.

He also was instrumental in developing software used to train other associates on how to independently check out customers.

"Keith has not let his disability hinder his work performance or dedication to the mission; he's the type person who cares and is concerned about his customers," said Keisha Scott, his supervisor. "Keith always places the customer's needs above his own."

"My favorite part of my job at Office Eagle is interacting with customers," said Mr. Tyson.
Mr. Tyson has an endless list of friends that he has met through the years and it's not unusual for them return to Bolling AFB and to make their way to Office Eagle to ask about Mr. Tyson.

"In some small way, our associates do their part to help serve the U.S. military and support Bolling's mission," said Rene Alonso, Office Eagle marketing director. "Whatever we can do to get them the supplies they need or the clothing they wear in a timely manner will be one less thing for them to worry about. The sheer fact that they understand our mission, to create job opportunities for blind people, holds more value than we can ask for. It's truly a win-win situation for everyone."

For Mr. Tyson, work does not end at the close of his duty day. He is active in his community as well. He is member of his church' s choir and plays the piano. He and his wife also provide a couples ministry at their church. He is a devoted to his son, who is beginning to show early signs of glaucoma. Mr. Tyson wants to prepare his son to have the same, if not more, opportunities in life than he has had to be a productive member in society.

"I feel proud to help the customers, especially the Airmen and knowing that I am helping support them," said Tyson. "I really enjoy working where I am now."

The one word used by Mr. Tyson's supervisor and co-worker to describe him is "amazing." He gives 100 percent in every task that he is assigned. No job is insurmountable to him, he just presses on without hesitation to accomplish the mission.
The AbilityOne Program, formerly known as the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act, is a federal initiative that works with private and public organizations to generate employment opportunities for Americans who are blind or who have other severe disabilities. DoD employs 33,000 people work under the program, including more than 2,000 wounded military veterans.

"AbilityOne gave me the opportunity to work and be able to take care of my family. They gave me a chance to give back to those who serve in uniform," said Mr. Tyson.