Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month Oct. 24

Randy Atkins, left, and Jimi Kyle will share their inspirational stories on Oct. 24 as the college celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Alumni to Speak Oct. 24

Two Walters State Community College alumni will return to the Morristown Campus to share their inspiring stories as the college celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month.  Randy Atkins and Jimi Kyle will speak at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24, in the Duggins Foundation Room of the Dr. Jack E. Campbell College Center.

Atkins graduated from Walters State in 2010 and earned a bachelor’s of business administration from King University. He is the owner of Rooster’s Vending Service, which operates in four counties. He is legally blind due to an inherited eye disease, retinitis Pigmentosa. He plans to share how he navigated the road to employment with a disability and the resources that are available through vocational rehabilitation services.

Kyle graduated from Walters State in 2015 and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree from Tennessee State University. Kyle suffered an aneurysm in 2006, spending months in a coma. He had to relearn many things he had taken for granted, including the ability to walk. He has worked for Family Dollar for since 2009 and is now an assistant store manager. He plans to share his experience in living and working with a disability, including available community programs

This event is open to the community, and everyone is invited to attend.