# National Disability Employment Awareness Month Spotlight – John Dance

/ Published Oct. 31, 2023
RICHMOND, Va., 
*During the month of October, the nation observes*National Disability Employment Awareness Month*. Defense Logistics Agency Aviation recognizes the contributions of all workers with disabilities, past and present, to cultivate supportive, inclusive policies and practices that benefit employees and people alike. With that, we would like to share another story from one of our team members, John Dance.*

John Dance began working at DLA Aviation in April 2023 as a contract administrator through the ​Procurement Process Support Directorate, Procurement Training Division’s Pathways to Career Excellence training program.

Dance is visually impaired, or legally blind. He lost functional vision in his mid-30s due to retinitis pigmentosa, which is a disease that causes gradual degeneration of the retinal cells.

Dance was working as a programmer analyst in the private sector when he lost his vision but stayed in his profession for another 15 years. When the company he worked for shut down, he changed careers to become a contractor for Defense Contract Management Agency in the position of team lead contract specialist in the Post Award Closeout Division. After two years at DCMA, Dance joined the PaCE program at Aviation.

Through his professional career Dance has adapted and advanced and also trained others.

Representatives from DLA’s Equal Employee Opportunity program reached out to Dance to share his experience in the workforce while faced with disabilities.

**How did you keep on pushing forward with your disability in the workforce?** One of the things about being visually impaired is that you are not in control of many things in your life. For me, this is where faith comes in. I keep going forward because I trust and know that God will make a way. I also try to focus on and be thankful for the things I have, instead of worrying about things that are out of my control.

We are fortunate that current technologies have opened a lot of opportunities for people with disabilities in the workforce. For example, I have a narrative screen reader that reads what is on my computer screen.

I would like to encourage people with a disability seen or unseen to not use their disability as an excuse and just do whatever it is that they want to do.

**Why do you think it’s important to recognize National Disability Employment Awareness?**Given the right support, persons with disabilities can be an important part of a diverse and inclusive work force. By recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the federal government is showing its commitment to providing support to employees with disabilities. 

                During the month of October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month recognizes America’s disabled workers, past and present, and celebrates their contributions. (Graphic by U.S. Department of Labor)                            National Disability Employment Awareness Month Spotlight - Aisha Thompson                            During the month of October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month recognizes America’s disabled workers, past and present, and celebrates their contributions. (Graphic by U.S. Department of Labor)            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: U.S. Department of LaborVIRIN: 231016-D-D0441-1002