Antoine Johnson’s path to BISM has been winding, alternating between student and employee. While he was diagnosed with glaucoma at an early age, that never kept him from pursuing a pathway toward independence and autonomy.
Over the years, he has held many jobs, including one for BISM’s now-closed Vending Services Division. In that role, he was part of a team responsible for installing vending machines across Maryland. One thing that has never wavered for Antoine was a positive work ethic and a determination to succeed. But when complicated medical issues arose, he had to pivot. He moved back home and took some time to recover.
After some time, as Antoine’s health began to improve, he sought to reenter the job market. His hunt brought him back to BISM, where he enrolled in the Workforce Readiness Assessment Program (WRAP). Started in 2020, WRAP is designed to help blind individuals like Antoine find pathways to rewarding, stable employment.
During Antoine’s two-week experience, staff assessed his tech skills and his ability to complete daily tasks effectively and on his own. Then, WRAP staff created a custom coaching plan that would help Antoine shift to a successful career in manufacturing. Throughout, he received resume reviews, guidance on how to navigate interviews, and feedback on mock interviews.
He credits WRAP with teaching him how to interact professionally with coworkers and supervisors. He uses this skill daily as he works in tandem with other associates to ensure that machines are loaded properly and packed boxes are carried out on time.
Less than a month after completing WRAP in August 2024, he was hired as a warehouse associate at BISM’s Baltimore headquarters. Today, he can be found carefully packing trash can liners into boxes to be sealed, stamped, and stacked for shipping.
For others who are in pursuit of employment through workplace development programs like WRAP, he offers the following words of encouragement: “Push yourself to be who you want to be. Don’t let anyone dictate who you want to be by your sight or disability and be an advocate for yourself.”
