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JUPITER, FLORIDA Celebrating Damian tater

Damian Tater, human resources specialist at the Jupiter, Fla., distribution center (DC), helps team members with workers’ compensation and disability claims. Working at his computer, he coordinates medical care with clinics, sets up physical

therapy appointments and prepares insurance forms. Tater, however, is legally blind, a disability that hasn’t slowed him down or prevented him from excelling at his job. “Sometimes I don’t even think of myself as visually impaired,” says Tater, who believes his disability is not a disadvantage. “I’m still capable of doing so much.”

Tater has a degenerative eye condition that has impaired his vision since he was six. But that never stopped him from pursuing a good education. After attending the University of Central Florida, where Tater received a bachelor’s degree in business with a minor in human resources management, he began an internship at our Jupiter DC with assistance from the Florida Division of the Blind. Three months later, Tater was offered a full-time position and has been a Walgreen team member since March 2008.

Thanks to what Tater calls “really cool technology,” he is able to perform his job with a software program that has a speech synthesizer and a video magnifier that uses a video camera to project a magnified image onto a computer monitor. These tools aid him at doing what he enjoys most – easing team members’ concerns about their injuries or illnesses. He does this by explaining the process, answering questions and helping to get people back on the job when they are able.

“Damian’s optimism helps team members look at the positive side of any situation,” says Dana Lynch, human resources manager of the Jupiter DC. “He’s an inspiration and has taught us to look at our jobs in more creative ways.”

Outside of work, Tater has a love for reggae music, jerk chicken and Caribbean food, which he sometimes shares with his department. He’s also the coordinator of the Palm Beach Jerk and Caribbean Culture Festival that attracts about 12,000 people to West Palm Beach annually. “We hope to get Damian involved in planning some events and parties here at the DC,” says Lynch.

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Damian Tater, human resources team member in Jupiter, Fla., uses technology developed for computer users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing what’s on their computer screens.

Our goal is to fill 20 percent of our production jobs with people with disabilities.GrowAbility

of production

8% of production

jobsGOAL: 20%

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Easy Access Tips, resources and websites about disabilities

The agencies and organizations highlighted below provide support and services to help individuals with visual impairments.

> www.ilr.cornell.edu/edi/ accessforall/sight.htm

This Cornell University website provides information about tools and techniques for people with visual impairments in the workplace. Learn about voice synthesizers for computer use, Braille keypads, voice activated dialing, closed circuit TV systems, magnification tools and other ways to increase productivity.

> www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/ ddvi.htm

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides vision impairment resources and publications for families. The website includes the Kids Quest program, an online educational tool to help answer children’s questions about vision problems and how people with visual impairments perform daily activities.

> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ service_dog

This link explains how specially trained dogs can assist people with disabilities. There is also information about the life of a service dog, how they are trained and how to treat a service dog when you encounter one.

Ask RAnDy

Randy Lewis, senior vice president of supply chain and Logistics, answers your questions. If you have a distribution question, please send it to ask.randy@walgreens.com.

QDid we accomplish our goal of hiring 1,000 people with disabilities by 2010?

A I’m pleased to report that we have employed 808 people with disabilities. And while we came short of our “1,000 people with

disabilities by 2010” goal, we’re proud of our achievements during the economic downturn that has affected business and hiring opportunities.

The work we did to aim for our goal of 10 percent has helped us grow and change into an organization that can successfully employ qualified people with disabilities. Thanks to everyone who helped us evolve into the inclusive workplace we are today. We’ve witnessed and celebrated many successes with the hope that these stories will inspire Walgreens team members – as well as other companies’ employees – to value, embrace and think of ways to improve inclusive workplaces.

When I asked the leadership in our distribution centers about our future hiring goals, managers agreed that no less than 20 percent of our workforce should be comprised of people with disabilities. Our new goal, “To 20% and Beyond!” can be found at the top left of this poster. I’m thrilled to see our goals extended and elevated. Future Aim HIRE posters will report our progress. Thanks for your continued commitment.

Aim HIRE is published quarterly for Walgreens distribution center employees. Send story ideas and photos to: Aim HIRE, Walgreens Corporate Communications, Mail Stop #2166, 200 Wilmot Road, Deerfield, IL 60015 Editor Iris Iglarsh | iris.iglarsh@walgreens.com Consultant Deb Russell | deb.russell@walgreens.com Writer Deborah Sandlow Design Hennessy Design Group, Inc.