Joel Leonard and Christian Palma: Give Work a Chance Q & A regarding disabilities

Christian Palma joined us at Give Work a Chance and was able to help people with disabilities get extra support. - Joel Leonard

Question: We asked Christian more about what he does. What is DHHS? Who does he help?

Answer: I’m a Business Relations Representative but BRR for short. We usually are called that ‘cause we’re so cool (Joke). I work on behalf of Vocational Rehabilitation through the Department of Health and Human Services but DHHS for short. When I normally tell people I work for VR they always think it’s with virtual reality. Which would be cool but our reality is helping people who experience barriers or limitations with employment get back to work. The people we help get back to work can range from all different backgrounds and have different level of needs. I personally have assisted finding work for people who have had autism, learning disabilities, speech impediments, combat veterans, people who struggle with substance use, people with criminal backgrounds and more. 

Now back to what I do for work. I’m [in] a hybrid position between getting individuals determined, ready for work, educated on their rights and how to best apply/interview for work and maintain it. I partner with employers in the area by learning more about their needs, their work culture and how to best assist them in finding someone who is going to mesh well in that environment. I work at training employers more about how to best work with people who have different barriers. These trainings can be one on one, in a group setting or when I do my yearly events through the Lexington Chamber of Commerce. All these services are provided for free (everyone loves that), just need to be open-minded and ready to learn.

Question: Christian, please share some of your successes. Challenges? How can the Davidson Local community help?

Answer: The major challenges we still face to this day are the number of employers and clients we serve who are unaware of how important it is to be educated on how to work with people with these limitations. So many employers overstep and put themselves in potential legal peril and could avoid that entirely with help from someone like me. Now, by any means, I’m not a legal attorney or represent the law in any way but having someone more closely tied to these potential HR issues can help better prevent any legal issues. I’ve had an employer look one of my clients dead in his eyes and ask, “What is your disability” and make a comment after stating “Well, If I’m going to pay you, I need to know what is wrong with you.” That was such a horrifying experience to try and navigate for my first time dealing with it. 

Other challenges occur from employers who are afraid of the stigma of working with people with disabilities and afraid they are going to “hurt” or “offend” our clients. Everyone deserves a chance, and in my five years working in this field, I can tell you there is so much hard work behind almost all the clients I’ve ever served. Sometimes that potential is locked away behind self-confidence issues, overprotective family members or lack of experience but my job is to help everyone involved navigate those waters to the best of my ability.

For more information, visit:

Christian Palma

Business Relations Representative 

North Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation

NC Department of Health and Human Services

Office: 336-867-6180

Direct: 336-867-6182

Christian.Palma@dhhs.nc.gov

414 Piedmont Drive

Lexington, NC 27292