Photo:  Jose Moreno, center, holding his 2005 Achievement Honor Roll Award, with brother Martin Martinez and mother Maria Martinez.

Jose Moreno, who is both deaf and blind, is successfully employed in the career of his choice at Great Lakes Woods in Holland.

He became an MCB client while in his junior year of high school.  MCB staff provided services and funding to help him attend summer training at the Helen Keller National Center for the Deaf/Blind and successfully complete high school. During that time, he was recognized by the mayor of Holland for his volunteer work and was honored as a model citizen. He then attended a nine-month program at Northern Illinois University and completed training at the MCB Training Center in Kalamazoo. He was accepted into the cabinetmaking program at Michigan Career and Technical Institute in Plainwell-the first DeafBlind student to enroll. Within four months of graduation, he interviewed for a job with Great Lakes Woods in Holland, and he was immediately offered a job.

He is highly regarded by his employer and co-workers, and he has earned several raises during his employment. In December of 2005, he received a Michigan Commission for the Blind 2005 Achievement Honor Roll Award. These awards are presented annually to clients of the Michigan Commission for the Blind who have been selected for their excellence in achieving their goals for employment and/or independent living.