For Immediate Release
October 24, 2018
Media Contact: Kandy Cayce
Division of Services for the Blind
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| Burse is honored by the Department of Human Services: From the left, Nekemia Burse accepts an achievement award from the Department of Human Services Division of Services for the Blind presented by Kaylebrae Clark, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. Clark is holding the award for Next Day Telecommunications, Burse’s employer, who could not attend the presentation. The award was given to recognize the company as an outstanding business partner for its commitment to promoting the employment of persons with vision impairment. |
Assistant Manager with Vision Impairment Earns Achievement Award
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Nekemia Burse of Little Rock, who is visually impaired, has been named the area’s outstanding Consumer of the Year by the Department of Human Services Division of Services for the Blind (DSB).
Burse has exceled at Next Day Telecommunications and was promoted to assistant manager in less than a year. She was hired after successfully completing a DSB on-the-job training program and company trainings to improve customer service skills and the ability to operate the many communications programs used by the company.
Kaylebrae Clark, DSB Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, nominated Burse for the achievement award because of her determination to overcome adversity, serve others, and succeed at work. She was selected from the north Pulaski County area.
The award presentation was made at the noon meeting of the Little Rock Founders Lions Club on October 24, at World Services for the Blind.
Her employer, Next Day Telecommunications, was recognized by DSB as an outstanding business partner for its commitment to promoting the employment of persons with vision impairment.
Burse explained she was diagnosed with Keratoconus, a condition where the cornea, the white ball-shaped lens of the eye, thins and bulges outward into a cone shape. She was losing vision rapidly and was in imminent danger of losing her eyesight. DSB paid for the surgery necessary to preserve her vision and enable her to work.
Burse said she is thankful for DSB’s services. In addition to job placement services and medical assistance, DSB provided counseling and guidance and offered assistance from the DSB Technology Lab.
Burse is involved in church programs that assist with feeding the community and is an active Parent Teacher Association member.
This is the 11th year that DSB has given Consumer of the Year awards to recognize individuals who have managed their rehabilitation plans, gained marketable skills, secured good jobs, and become role models for others. An overall state winner will be selected at the end of the year.
DSB provides vocational rehabilitation services to adults who are blind or severely visually impaired and whose goal is successful employment. The division also serves youth and older blind individuals. For information about DSB’s programs and services, visit the DSB website at https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/dsb/Pages/default.aspx or call 1-800-960-9270 , 501-682-5463, or deaf relay 711.
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