One woman’s quest to help break down the barriers individuals with disabilities face when striving for gainful employment.
R uby Garcia knows the optical business. She’s been a part of it since the mid-90s. As a dispensing optician, she loves helping customers find just the right eyewear fit.
Garcia also knows about learning disabilities. Her older brother was born with a disability and has limited speech. However, he can function as an adult and is a respected worker.
Garcia can recognize a good fit when she sees one. So in her current role as executive officer for the California State Society for Opticians (CSSO), she’s taken action.
Earlier this year, CSSO signed on to take part in an initiative to get more individuals with learning disabilities into the optical industry. The group enrolled its first cohort for people with disabilities in a pre-apprenticeship optician program in April through a joint program with Orange County and Chabot College.
Garcia’s desire to help disabled people get into her line of work, involving filling out scripts for eyeglasses or contacts, is driven by her family background. She’s the youngest of 12 – six boys and six girls. The next youngest is her brother, David, who was born with a disability and has limited speech.
“Intellectually, he’s a 14-year-old, but he can function as an adult, driving semi-trailers, telling me about road directions, and he’s always on top of the news, ready to explain that to me,” says Garcia. “He’s a faithful worker and respected.
“He taught me how to be patient with people and kind-hearted.”
While she hasn’t pushed him to become an optician, she’s been in the sector long enough to know people with disabilities can do her work.
“Most opticians sit about 80% of their time at work, and the majority of functions are repetitive.” Says Garcia. “So many people with disabilities could easily learn the career practices of optician work.”
“Without training, non-licensed opticians are leaving their jobs within four-to-five months. Turnover creates barriers, and the lack of training is causing a shortage.”
Ruby has worked as an optician since 1996, a career switch from running a small business in wardrobe color consulting. During this time, she was pitching for work to a large optical shop, Linden Optometry, in Pasadena, CA.
Ruby Garcia is a longtime dispensing optician and the executive officer for the California State Society for Opticians (CSSO). She is spearheading a program intended to help individuals with disabilities find employment within the optical industry. (Courtesy)
“They liked my presentation and offered me a job selling luxury eyewear by Cartier,” says Garcia. “I was intrigued to test the ground selling eyewear by recommending the shape and color of the frame to suit consumers.”
Three months later, Ruby was impressed by how many people bought expensive eyewear, with the average sale at $2,500.
“The magic for me was the positive responses from each customer to feel great about their eyewear purchase,” says Garcia. “It was fascinating to meet people from all over the world as I learned about their job careers, interests, and unique characters.”
Ruby was in her element at Linden Optometry, where she eventually was selling up to 60 Cartier eyewear pieces monthly.
“As dispensing opticians, we get the best part of the customers’ experience,” says Garcia. “We help them see the world that they were missing through details. It’s a truly delightful daily experience to contribute to the happiness they feel when they can see better.
“The beauty of our jobs is that we meet the entire world of people who need vision correction. From famous people to poor people, politicians, priests, monks, nuns, athletes, newspaper people, executive moms – so many people enrich you with their life stories.”
Among her peers though, she has not witnessed that same kind of diversity. This worries her. Particularly since the sector is facing staff shortages. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates job openings for opticians will grow 6% – or 5,900 vacancies – each year through 2030.
A hurdle for would-be opticians is passing the American Board of Opticianry exam. It is not compulsory, but Garcia suggest it can be “too challenging.” In fact, the state of California had a passing rate of 40% just a few years ago. The current rate is more than double that.
“Without training, non-licensed opticians are leaving their jobs within four-to-five months. Turnover creates barriers, and the lack of training is causing a shortage,” says Garcia. “Employers aren’t hiring with diversity in mind. (As a result) whites and females predominate the industry.”
Garcia, who now works for JCP Optical, is addressing her diversity concerns in her role at CSSO. And she’s focused on helping people like her brother enter a rewarding and well-paid career.
CSSO is taking part in the Ready, Willing, and ABLE program. Online training for the program is accessible for learners with disabilities, with each module available in visual, audio, and specially structured. Students can review learning materials as often as they like to help knowledge stick.
Garcia expects the first cohort to graduate in March/April next year. This year-long training aims to open doors for people with disabilities to find work as apprentice opticians. Currently, 80% of participants are women, and the rest are men; 75% overall are Hispanic, 15% are black, and 10% are white.
They’re supported through Zoom meetings to encourage group discussions, such as on ethics and time management, and get to hear from and quiz doctors from ophthalmology practices. Garcia also is running five “traveling labs” where students meet potential mentors to help them through their practicums and first job.
“For these new students, finding the right job to explore a positive career may be tricky,” says Garcia. “A mentor is essential for them to have during this period.”
Once hired, they’ll become registered apprentices earning $18 an hour. They’ll learn about eye anatomy, astigmatisms, refractions, measuring and adjusting frames, and more.
As Ruby watches the unfurling of her dream of helping people with disabilities find rewarding careers as opticians, another big idea is on her horizon.
“My long-term dream is to open the World of Optics Museum. I would love to hire people with disabilities to work in the museum.”
That may be one way to address the lack of diversity in her sector, and she’s making sure her legacy will be much more.
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Deborah Williamson is vice president of special projects and operations at the Institute for Workplace Skills and Innovation America (IWSI America). She currently is the Project Manager of IWSI America’s Ready, Willing and ABLE program to establish registered apprenticeships for individuals with disabilities.
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