Teen with vision impairment finds independence in job program

JOHNSTOWN, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- People with disabilities face higher unemployment rates, but a visually impaired teenager from Broadalbin is getting a chance to beat the statistics.

Isabella Hanson, 15, is working for Summer's Best Ice Cream in Johnstown through the Work Experience Training program at the Northeastern Association of the Blind at Albany (NABA). It aims to give minimum wage jobs to those rejoining or starting off in the workforce.

The shop made accommodations for her such as making the print on various signs larger so she can read them. The owners said Isabella hit the ground running, and she's been loving it.

"She's doing great," owner Mark Hayes said. "She seems to be adapting very well. It's only her third day here, and she's almost, like, 'Get out of my way. Let me do it.'"

"Thanks here to Diana and Mark and all of my wonderful coworkers," Isabella said. "I get to have coworkers now, and so it's really nice."

Isabella said the program has helped her gain independence and advocacy skills.