PHOENIX -
Feeney told Credit Union Journal the Business Enterprise Program puts blind individuals into their own businesses. Examples include running snack bars, cafeterias and vending machines in government buildings. The jobs can range from small military mess halls up to vending machine routes all over Phoenix, he said. The BEP is a federal program, but in Arizona it is run by the Department of Economic Services. Desert Schools FCU is one of two private-enterprise buildings participating in the BEP in Arizona, Feeney said. Although three of four blind people in the U.S. are unemployed, he puts in 60 to 70 hours per week operating the cafeteria.
CU Journal: As your sight was deteriorating and you investigated careers, was a position counting money one you thought would be available? What positions did you explore?
Feeney: I lost my sight in 1990 while attending NAU, Northern Arizona University. I was hoping to go into public relations. I investigated the Business Enterprise Program in 1993 but didn't take it on at the time. I have owned the business that manages the cafeteria here for almost four years. I didn't think I would be sitting at a cash register all day when I first got into it. I assumed I would be running the cafeteria from the office; in charge of invoicing and menu planning.
CUJ: You must have a great deal of trust in the honesty of the CU's employees about their purchase and the money they're giving you, how did you develop that trust, and what have you learned from this?
Feeney: When I first started, if someone said I've got a bottle of water and here's a $5 bill, I had no choice but to trust them. Over the three years, I've gotten to know most of the customers and they are very honest. The more I know my customers the more I trust them. I've heard of problems at other places, but I've never had any problems at this facility. These people are trained in service and honesty, and that shows when they are on the other side of the cash register.
Please know there was never any point where I didn't trust anyone, even in the beginning.
CUJ: What challenges in your position can still be troubling, and what systems/procedures have you developed to overcome some challenges sighted people might not think of?
Feeney: I've got the same challenges running a restaurant as any sighted person. I don't think being blind makes getting a $5-bill versus a $10-bill my biggest challenge. My challenges are someone not showing up for a shift, or if the wrong item gets ordered. I have technology to help make things a little bit easier, such as a talking calculator, talking mouse and a talking computer. I have to be a little more organized than a sighted person when it comes to keeping the money organized. I have to keep the bills and coins separated at all times; I can't just throw them in a drawer or a bag. But I've been at this blind thing long enough. I don't think of it as any more difficult.
CUJ: How many folks would you say you know by voice, and do they often buy the same things?
Feeney: I bet I know 60% or more of the people, but I don't know all of them by name. I can say the names of about 40% to 50% of my customers. Some people might come through three times during the day: coffee, food, bottle of water. Others do order the same thing every time, such as a muffin and a coffee. That helps me figure out their names. There are some people I've talked to every day for two-and-a-half years and I still don't recognize them. It depends on how distinctive their voice is and what they purchase.
CUJ: Are you a member of the credit union, and how do you handle your own financial transactions?
Feeney: I am a member. I handle most of my own transactions and don't do them any differently than a sighted person. When I get money back-which I usually don't do for business-they have to identify the bills for me, and then I fold it and separate it to know what it is. I can tell the difference between coins, but there is no difference in bills.
CUJ: As someone who once had sight, would you please share with us what you miss seeing? What would you urge sighted people not to take for granted in seeing?
Feeney: The things I miss the most are seeing people, animals, sports, mountains, hot air balloons. I miss things I participated in when I could see. Definitely people-I miss seeing smiles on faces, beaches and blueprints. I used to be a designer and miss doing those and seeing the designs.
Take nothing for granted. I didn't think I'd lose my sight as fast as I did. No one knows if they'll be able to see tomorrow, or even be here tomorrow. Take nothing for granted.
