Miss-Delectable
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The Modesto Bee | Signs of Friendship
Lots of people make friends with their co-workers. Few go so far as to learn a second language to communicate with them.
That's the story of Timothy Lopez and Brandon Bearce.
The duo have been hauling away piles of discarded furniture, yard debris and other materials for three years as employees of 1-800-GOT- JUNK?, a junk removal service with a branch in Stanislaus County.
The first time they met, Bearce was "a little skeptical" about working with Lopez, his randomly assigned partner on a junk removal truck.
Lopez, 25, was born deaf and has limited speech because of his disability.
Bearce's doubts were erased when he saw Lopez in action.
"He loves working. He works hard and fast. We can move stuff at a really fast pace," said Bearce, 25.
They started scrawling notes to each other or sending text messages on their cell phones to communicate. Lopez taught Bearce a few simple words in sign language to use on the job, such as "time" and "finished."
Bearce got a sign language instruction book and started to study. He was signing sentences within a few months. Three years later, he's fluent in sign language.
"What struck me was the way that (Bearce) stepped up to the plate. He learned a whole new language," said Jim Bakich, the general manager for 1-800-GOT-JUNK? in the Modesto area. "(Lopez) may be deaf, but deaf isn't him. He's an inspiration."
Lopez grinned widely as the two tore apart cabinets Monday at a job site in Modesto. Bearce teased him with a series of quick gestures. Lopez shot back a reply in sign language, and they both shook with laughter. They kept the joke to themselves.
"Best friends" is what Lopez signed a little later that afternoon when describing their relationship, smacking the side of their work truck with his closed fist for emphasis. "Best friends."
"They really know each other's moves. They are a true team. They communicate nonverbally in everything they do, so sometimes it will just be a head nod, and they know what that means," Bakich said.
About one-third of adults with a sensory disability -- including vision and hearing impairments -- are employed in Stanislaus County.
By comparison, more than half of all adults of working age in the county are employed, according to the 2006 American Communities Survey for Stanislaus County.
It has become a little easier for hearing-impaired or deaf individuals to find work since the Americans with Disabilities Act passed in 1990, said Ann Irwin, a staff interpreter for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Service Center in Fresno.
But they still face major hurdles. Communication is the biggest issue, especially in a workplace with only one deaf person on staff, Irwin said. That can lead to misunderstandings.
People with hearing impairments tend to have less work experience on their résumés because employers are hesitant to hire them, Irwin said. Many lack college degrees because of the challenges involved with attending school, she said.
"Traditionally, if deaf people don't have a good education, their opportunities for getting into jobs are kind of limited," Irwin said.
Lopez is familiar with those setbacks.
He's been trying to land a second job at night for months -- to help pay for his 2007 Dodge Charger -- but hasn't had any luck, despite glowing references from Bakich, his supervisor.
Meanwhile, he's got his daily work routine down solid. Lopez and Bearce show up every morning for a staff meeting, where they receive their assignments for the day.
Bearce interprets the 20- minute meeting for Lopez, often asking questions on his behalf. Bearce drives the truck to the job site and talks with customers. Lopez is in charge of navigating and of directing the junk removal.
What's the best part about working together?
Bearce's ability to sign, Lopez said, through his partner. "Sometimes it is hard for me to communicate with other guys because they don't know what to do."
Bearce's response is quick. "He can't tell on me."
Lots of people make friends with their co-workers. Few go so far as to learn a second language to communicate with them.
That's the story of Timothy Lopez and Brandon Bearce.
The duo have been hauling away piles of discarded furniture, yard debris and other materials for three years as employees of 1-800-GOT- JUNK?, a junk removal service with a branch in Stanislaus County.
The first time they met, Bearce was "a little skeptical" about working with Lopez, his randomly assigned partner on a junk removal truck.
Lopez, 25, was born deaf and has limited speech because of his disability.
Bearce's doubts were erased when he saw Lopez in action.
"He loves working. He works hard and fast. We can move stuff at a really fast pace," said Bearce, 25.
They started scrawling notes to each other or sending text messages on their cell phones to communicate. Lopez taught Bearce a few simple words in sign language to use on the job, such as "time" and "finished."
Bearce got a sign language instruction book and started to study. He was signing sentences within a few months. Three years later, he's fluent in sign language.
"What struck me was the way that (Bearce) stepped up to the plate. He learned a whole new language," said Jim Bakich, the general manager for 1-800-GOT-JUNK? in the Modesto area. "(Lopez) may be deaf, but deaf isn't him. He's an inspiration."
Lopez grinned widely as the two tore apart cabinets Monday at a job site in Modesto. Bearce teased him with a series of quick gestures. Lopez shot back a reply in sign language, and they both shook with laughter. They kept the joke to themselves.
"Best friends" is what Lopez signed a little later that afternoon when describing their relationship, smacking the side of their work truck with his closed fist for emphasis. "Best friends."
"They really know each other's moves. They are a true team. They communicate nonverbally in everything they do, so sometimes it will just be a head nod, and they know what that means," Bakich said.
About one-third of adults with a sensory disability -- including vision and hearing impairments -- are employed in Stanislaus County.
By comparison, more than half of all adults of working age in the county are employed, according to the 2006 American Communities Survey for Stanislaus County.
It has become a little easier for hearing-impaired or deaf individuals to find work since the Americans with Disabilities Act passed in 1990, said Ann Irwin, a staff interpreter for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Service Center in Fresno.
But they still face major hurdles. Communication is the biggest issue, especially in a workplace with only one deaf person on staff, Irwin said. That can lead to misunderstandings.
People with hearing impairments tend to have less work experience on their résumés because employers are hesitant to hire them, Irwin said. Many lack college degrees because of the challenges involved with attending school, she said.
"Traditionally, if deaf people don't have a good education, their opportunities for getting into jobs are kind of limited," Irwin said.
Lopez is familiar with those setbacks.
He's been trying to land a second job at night for months -- to help pay for his 2007 Dodge Charger -- but hasn't had any luck, despite glowing references from Bakich, his supervisor.
Meanwhile, he's got his daily work routine down solid. Lopez and Bearce show up every morning for a staff meeting, where they receive their assignments for the day.
Bearce interprets the 20- minute meeting for Lopez, often asking questions on his behalf. Bearce drives the truck to the job site and talks with customers. Lopez is in charge of navigating and of directing the junk removal.
What's the best part about working together?
Bearce's ability to sign, Lopez said, through his partner. "Sometimes it is hard for me to communicate with other guys because they don't know what to do."
Bearce's response is quick. "He can't tell on me."