Blind persistence pays off

NEW mbar Ltd employee Mark Kay-Smith (left) works on his inventory skills with storeman Scott Silsbee. TC281008DT01

Mark Kaye-Smith has been doggedly trying to get a job in Te Awamutu over the last couple of years—and at last has succeeded.

Paul and Debbie Vickers of mbar Ltd had seen his efforts and were impressed with his commitment, but couldn’t see how an engineering workshop could offer employment to a blind person — until recently. While attending Lean Manufacturing training Mr Vickers was looking at different systems for managing inventory and was thinking ‘I need a system so simple that a blind man could do it’. This thought was followed by a memory of Mr Kaye-Smith sitting at a desk outside Deano’s Wilderness Gear in Alexandra Street with a sign in front of him asking for employment.

The idea was born. Mr Kaye-Smith was tracked down to see if he was interested — he was keen but had no computer experience. After some computer training and consultations with The Blind Foundation and Work Bridge, Mr Kaye-Smith started work for mbar Ltd last Monday.

In a case of what really felt like the blind leading the blind, Mr Vickers and Mr Kaye-Smith have gone through the red tape with The Blind Foundation, Work Bridge and Winz and are now looking forward to the support of these organisations in what is very much a partnership arrangement.

‘‘There is an amazing amount of support and tools available to assist in helping Mr Kaye-Smith ‘see’ what he needs to get the job done,’’ says Mr Vickers.

The systems will evolve over the next few months as Mr Kaye-Smith starts with a couple hours a day working alongside Scott Silsbee, the current store man, checking stock in and generally getting to know his way around. Richard Braithwaite, of Strategia, the Lean Manufacturing coach currently working with mbar is very interested in the process.

‘‘It is exciting that mbar has embraced the simplicity of the Lean concept to this extent,’’ he says.

The staff at mbar are already enjoying Mr Kaye-Smith’s sense of humour and incredible zest for life.

‘‘Everyone is keen for his employment to be a success and we look forward to sharing that with him,’’ says Mr Vickers.