UWV Facebook – ‘Finding a job isn’t easy when you’re in a wheelchair.’ But that didn’t stop Frank from pursuing his career in communications. A job coach put Frank in touch with a design company where he could work as a communications specialist. ‘I am now in a place where I can be myself, and totally come into my own!’ 

Frank is in a wheelchair due to oxygen deprivation at birth. ‘I studied journalism, but ultimately did not get my degree. After my studies, I had several jobs in communications and journalism. I started working for a local broadcaster in 2008. Then the economic crisis hit, and I had to look for other work. Some other jobs followed, but they remained temporary contracts. At one company, there was no lift, so I was on the ground floor, while the rest of the employees were on the first floor. Sometimes you have to deal with literal barriers. Employers often see a wheelchair as a problem. 

When I got in touch with Nadia, owner of Ictoria, the first conversation was immediately nice. Ictoria is a digital creative company and is hired by other companies for web design and communication. I had just worked at Philips for a while, but when my contract there ended, I expierenced health problems. Even though I was not yet fit enough to work again, my job coach at UWV already shared my CV with Nadia. And Nadia was so excited that she immediately called me. Not long after, I started working at design company Ictoria, as a communications specialist. In this role, I advise companies on their communications.

I’m not working full-time yet, and am on partial Wajong benefit. But my goal is to get back to work full-time. In the meantime, I’ve also started a training course, to expand my knowledge in the field of communications!’

Also read Tommy’s story. Despite his visual impairment, he found a suitable job as a guide at a museum where blind and visually impaired people take you into their world: https://u.uwv.nl/v21j8ywo

Click the link for the original post on the UWV Facebook channel.