November 9, 2000

2 WKU Staff Members Honored By Department
For The Blind

Bowling Green, Ky. - The Kentucky Department for the Blind has honored two members of Western Kentucky University's Division of Public Affairs.

Kimberly Shain Parsley, a communication specialist, will receive the Vocational Achievement Award, given to an individual with a disability who has overcome physical and other obstacles to employment to reach a vocational goal.

Sheila Conway Eison, director of university communication, will receive the Partnership of the Year Award, which is given to an individual who contributes to the mission of the Department for the Blind by hiring an individual with a visual impairment.

The award, which was presented Wednesday in Shelbyville, is the second in two weeks for Parsley. Last week in Louisville, she received the 2000 Personal Achievement Award from the Kentucky Rehabilitation Association.

Parsley hasn't let blindness stop her from attaining her goals, but society's perception of the disabled nearly did.

When she graduated from Western in May 1997, Parsley expected to quickly find a job. "I had worked hard to get my degree and really thought I wouldn't have a problem getting a job," she said. "My disability wasn't an issue to me, but I found out it was an issue for everybody else."

Kentucky has the fourth largest population of disabled people in the nation, but is next to last in employment of the disabled, she said. "Kentucky has a long way to go,"

Parsley said, adding that the disabled not only must be hired in greater numbers but must receive the same opportunities for employment advancements.

After more than a year of looking for a job, Parsley grew tired of the interviews and rejections. "My self-confidence was down to nothing," she said.

In February 1999 she applied for a job in the WKU Division of Public Affairs. In June she was contacted for an interview. "I had been rejected twice that week and I almost didn't come to the interview," she said.

But Parsley decided to try one last interview before regrouping and reconsidering her options. She's glad she did.

Eison's glad she did, too. "When interviewing for Kimberly's position, we had no indication or knowledge of her blindness," Eison said. "She had outstanding credentials and writing examples."

Parsley's blindness wasn't an issue, Eison said. The selection committee was unanimous in recommending that Parsley be hired.

"The open-mindedness that the committee showed in hiring me, especially Sheila, really did change my life," Parsley said.

Eison said she's honored to receive the Partnership of the Year Award because of the human element involved. "I was looking for a good writer and good editor," said Eison, who also is editor of On Campus, a publication for the WKU community. "Kimberly had those qualities and a tremendous creative ability. I don't understand how people couldn't see it."

Although one award is for personal achievement, Parsley notes that she's had plenty of help from others, including her family and counselors in the Department for the Blind.

"I look forward to the day when disabled people aren't getting awards for getting jobs," said Parsley, who is assistant editor of On Campus. "I look forward to the day it is not exceptional but happens every day."