Truly the very best thing about CIS is our staff: however one found their way to CIS, the common denominator is a deep-rooted commitment to making a positive impact in our local communities.
We’re excited to continue our series of staff spotlights with this one on Aaron Anderson, IT& Data Assistant at CIS. Aaron has a fascinating background and brings his own experience to his work at CIS: after becoming a wheelchair user in 2014, he started a graduate degree in Rehabilitation Engineering, then started another MS in Industrial Design at Jefferson University here in Philadelphia.
“Studying design…helped me look at problems differently,” Aaron told us. “I had great professors who wanted us to interact as much as possible with the end users and give them real input on the design process. I was so motivated to work on these co-design projects in which we would work together with people with mobility disabilities to solve everyday problems.”
Check out the full interview below!
“I am fortunate I get the opportunity to support one person virtually as they work in the disability rights field and I’m realizing how much work there is to do advocating for fair employment standards.”
Aaron anderson
What brought you here to CIS?
After becoming a manual wheelchair user in 2014 none of things I did for work before interested me any longer. in 2018 I started a graduate degree in Rehabilitation Engineering at Pitt and then when COVID hit in 2020 I moved to Philly to start another MS in Industrial Design at Jefferson. Studying design is a lot of things but it helped me look at problems differently. I had great professors who wanted us to interact as much as possible with the end users and give them real input on the design process. I was so motivated to work on these co-design projects in which we would work together with people with mobility disabilities to solve everyday problems.
After graduating with my MSID in May 2022, I began working at CareerLink Suburban Station as a Disability Navigator, which mainly involved assisting participants to overcome any barriers to their chosen employment. While there I had the very good fortune to meet several amazing CIS staffers who are on the PhillyWINS team! So CIS was definitely on my radar.
While at CareerLink I also had the amazing experience of working with Hope Deeden and the youth at Project Career Launch as they prepared to enter the workforce for the first time. We did mock interviews, had many discussions about etiquette and fantastic discussions about working with other people and how challenging that is for all of us. We talked a lot about asking for accommodations, and how that could come up when starting at a new job. We went shopping at the Wardrobe and we all practiced tying a necktie. I have done so many things since I was that age, but I can remember the first job I had and how nervous I was about the interview. It was amazing to be able to put my varied experiences to good use!
What do you do at CIS?
I joined CIS in April of this year, so I’m still getting used to things here. I am a Data and IT Assistant and occasionally support some participants remotely with work tasks. I also assist participants with any issues they might have using Uber and requesting rides.
What’s something meaningful to you about your work here / what do you love about it?
I enjoy working with great people here. I really like being able to help people solve problems that are impacting their work life – no matter if it’s an IT issue or practicing interviewing to get more comfortable with talking to people.CIS is also a great place for learning and trying new things. I am fortunate I get the opportunity to support one person virtually as they work in the disability rights field and I’m realizing how much work there is to do advocating for fair employment standards.