Custom Shelving Solution Makes a Difference in the Life of Young Adult with Disabilities

PRLog (Press Release) – Aug 22, 2007 – Madison Heights, MI – August 21, 2007 -- The Shelving Store discovered its customers making innovative uses of its chrome-wire shelving through a photo contest on its website.  Contest entrant, Kimberly Voss, submitted the contest’s most notable photos showing how The Shelving Store’s chrome-wire shelving was helping people with disabilities.  “It’s hard to believe that creating a custom shelving system can make a difference in someone’s life, but it has!” said Voss.  Voss is a dedicated advocate for individuals with disabilities.  She is also the founder and president of Ashley’s Mom, Inc., a storefront and informational website (www.ashleysmom.com) showcasing creative ways of providing meaningful education for children with learning differences.

Voss’s photo entry featured her daughter Ashley, the company’s namesake, using The Shelving Store’s chrome-wire shelving at Ashley’s Mom, Inc. headquarters where Ashley, 22, is employed.  Ashley was born with Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect.  Due to complications from open heart surgery, she also suffers from multiple neurological conditions and severe visual impairments.  “With such poor employment opportunities afforded to Ashley and individuals like her who are managing multiple disabilities, it has been my goal to offer a potential place of employment,” said Voss.  The building housing Ashley’s Mom, Inc. headquarters must be completely accessible.  Ashley works in an office that receives the most natural light.  The open wire design of The Shelving Store’s chrome-wire shelving allows for maximum light penetration for visibility, which benefits people with severe visual disabilities like Ashley.  

Additionally, The Shelving Store provides more chrome-wire shelving size options than any big box retailer and the countless dimension options are extremely useful in accommodating people with height and other physical challenges.  “There are units that can be purchased at national home supply stores but they did not have the features that benefited Ashley so I was thrilled to be able to get the appropriate height and width, purchase additional shelves, etc. from The Shelving Store,” added Voss.

“We weren’t aware that our chrome-wire shelving could be so beneficial to people with visual impairments and other physical disabilities.  We were thrilled to learn that our products could be integral to a work environment that offers real opportunities of employment to individuals with severe disabilities,” said Joe Schodowski, president of The Shelving Store.

“I would love for people to begin to think about how they design their work environments to accommodate the needs of all rather than a few.  The last 22 years have not been easy but Ashley and I have both learned a great deal and most importantly believe employment provides her an important sense of usefulness and self worth,” concluded Voss.

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