Great Collaboration Leads to – A Job Seeker Success Story

Hassan Yusuph, a Somalia native, has lived in the United States for two years.  Hassan has faced many challenges during his lifetime, and through it all, he has persevered and kept a positive outlook on life.  When Hassan was 4 years old, he developed spinal stenosis and lost the use of his legs.  Hassan grew up in extreme poverty, and his family was unable to afford a wheelchair.  When Hassan was a young adult, he witnessed the effects of civil war in his home country, and fled to South Africa to begin life as a refugee.

Hassan arrived in the Tri-Cities in 2015.  He was surprised to learn that Permobil, maker of TiLite wheelchairs, had a Pasco location.  From the time Hassan saw his first TiLite chair, he believed that TiLite chairs were the best in the world, but he never dreamed that he would own one.  Hassan’s dream soon came true wh

en he toured Permobil, met company Vice President John Roach, and was presented with a TiLite chair of his own.

Hassan thought highly of Permobil, and set his sights on working there.  He had been working with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and the Adult Program of Career Path Services to help him find employment.  Hassan sent Mr. Roach an email inquiring about a job.  He submitted an application and was interviewed for an assembly position, but wasn’t initially hired.  DVR approached Permobil about On-the-Job Training (OJT); they were excited about this opportunity, and agreed to participate.  DVR and the Adult Program collaborated to facilitate the OJT.  Hassan was hired in the spare parts department, and is now successfully employed with Permobil.  “I wouldn’t be working at Permobil today without the help of DVR and the Adult Program,” stated Hassan.

As stated in a January 28, 2018 article in the Tri-City Herald, “As a chair user, his perspective is really important.  He’s been fantastic.  He’s incredibly knowledgeable about the product,” said John Roach, a Permobil Vice President.  Plus, there’s that smile.  Yusuph has “a really sunny disposition” that’s uplifting, Roach said.