Hershey Ag Helps a Wrightsville Man Get His Future in Gear

Duane Smeal wouldn’t put his dreams in park. He was determined to utilize his CDL training and attain a job as a truck driver.

With the assistance of a private non-profit agency, AHEDD and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation in York, Duane received the opportunity he had been waiting for with Hershey Ag. This new job called for Duane to drive a tractor-trailer and deliver feed and animals to local farms.
Office Manager Dave Brubaker admits he was concerned that Duane’s hearing impairment and learning disability would prevent him from doing well in his work, but no more. "Duane has proven me wrong." Brubaker gladly concedes. "We had an opening. We said ‘we have to give him a chance to make it or fail.’ He surprised us on just how well he does at the job."

The job duties are extensive. Duane loads nine compartments in his eighteen-wheel truck with feed. He makes deliveries to various farms in Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. Once a week, he loads and delivers live farm animals, as well.

This long and tedious list of duties are a great deal for any employee to master. Brubaker believes that finding anyone who would consistently complete these tasks would be difficult. "In the job market today, finding people that show up for work everyday and are willing to do what they are asked to do, these types of individuals are almost non-existent. I would say Duane has been very dependable. When I ask him to do something, he has no problem doing it."

From the beginning, Hershey Ag could sense that Duane was very determined, so they were willing to go the extra mile in training. Therefore, in order to accommodate Duane’s hearing impairment as well as his cognitive limitations, his dispatcher, Dave Brubaker, writes out daily instructions for Duane to follow. "It has definitely taken extra effort on our part. It still takes a little extra effort. I commend him (Duane). Once he learns his job, he is good at it. He takes care of our equipment. He is a good driver and takes pride in his work." Brubaker states.

Hershey Ag advises other employers to consider hiring persons with disabilities and not pre-determine what they are capable of doing.

Duane Smeal’s career is now moving forward in full gear. His employer and other supports advise continued development and training. However, the largest mountains Duane needed to climb are now just scenery in his rear view mirror.

 

Many employers from across the Commonwealth have had success in hiring individuals with varying disabilities and are willing to talk with other businesses about these experiences. If you have questions about accommodations, sources for applicants with a disability, tax credits, local resources, or any other issue related to the employment of persons with a disability, contact Ms. Stacy M. Liddick of the PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS LEADERSHIP NETWORK (BLN) at (717) 763-0968 or via e-mail at stacy.liddick@blnofpa.org

The Pennsylvania Business Leadership Network (BLN) is a statewide, employer-driven program designed for business leaders to promote hiring practices that enable qualified people with disabilities to enter and succeed in the workplace. At this time, membership to the PA BLN is free.
Employers are encouraged to participate in the BLN because it makes good business sense to expand the available pool of job applicants, it provides opportunities for positive public relations and the BLN is an organized source for information about the recruitment and training of people with a disability.