New Faces at IDB

Though our newest employees have already been here for some months, it's time to introduce these recent additions to the staff at the Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB). Two of them have begun performing their regular job duties after spending time as students in the Orientation Center, while another is shifting to his regular duties after covering a different job. All bring new energy and ideas to IDB. We welcome them all.

Jessica Badding was hired as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and joined IDB on March 10. She promises to be a tremendous asset to IDB. She obtained her B.S. in Human Services and Psychology from Buena Vista University in August of 2007. She earned her Masters degree in Vocational Rehabilitation from Drake University in May of 2013. Jessica is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), has a great deal of experience providing case management services to clients in a community rehabilitation setting, and will work very well with IDB's clients as they work toward their employment goals.

Shannon Oakley is IDB's new Transition Specialist and joined the department on March 17. Shannon received a B.S. in Marketing from Iowa State University in 2004. While working in a variety of capacities, she honed in on her true passion for serving others. She will earn her Masters degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling from Drake University in December of 2014. Shannon has provided rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities in various capacities, including those of high school age, and will provide outstanding services to our students in transition.

Enrique Mejia joined IDB's staff on April 1. He fills the Rehabilitation Technology Specialist position that was vacated by Laurie Merryman. He earned a B.A. degree in History from California State University where he also became well versed in a variety of areas pertaining to non-visual access technology for the blind. Enrique had been employed as an Assistive Technology Consultant with the Braille Institute of America in Los Angeles, California since 2010. Mr. Mejia provided assessments and instruction to blind clients of all ages and also served as a consultant for teachers of blind students.

Enrique comes to us with great recommendations and will be a tremendous asset to our technology team. He has already made an important contribution by covering the computer skills class in the Orientation Center while the position is being filled.

Delores “Dee” Martin began her duties as an Intake Specialist on April 7th. She is responsible for receiving Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and Independent Living (IL) referrals and completing much of the data that is needed for VR/IL applications. Dee was a clear choice for the job considering her skill set and work experience. She came out of retirement from her former State of Iowa position at Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services. She also worked for IDB in the IL division from 1986 to 1989 and has an understanding of our department’s positive philosophy of blindness. Her excellent interpersonal skills, communications savvy, and cultural sensitivity makes this multi-tasking self-starter a valuable asset.

Karen Kemnitz actually began work at IDB on November 22, 2013 as a Reader Advisor in the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped on our building's Fourth Floor. She is a graduate of Mankato State University where she earned a B.S. degree in English, with a minor in Library Science. Ms. Kemnitz brings over fifteen years of work experience in public, academic, and state government libraries to her new position. Karen was needed in the Library immediately upon her hiring and is now spending some time in the Orientation Center, absorbing the positive philosophy of blindness that is at the heart of IDB's work.