American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
Future Reflections Winter 2025 JOURNEYS
A Chance to Serve
by Kyle Chellino
From the Editor: Future Reflections often includes the stories of blind people who work in professional fields—lawyers, teachers, social workers, scientists, and performers. However, blind people work effectively in a wide range of fields that don’t require an advanced degree. For the past two years Kyle Chellino has worked at Chick-fil-A, and he loves his job. Here is his story.
I grew up in Will County, a semi-rural area south of Chicago. I’ve been totally blind all my life, and when I started out in public school it didn’t turn out very well. I ended up transferring to the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired (ISVI) in Jacksonville, where I learned Braille and mobility besides my other subjects. After I graduated, I stayed on campus for two more years in their program that teaches daily living skills.
When I finally left Jacksonville I started looking for a job, but I didn’t have any luck. I looked for sales jobs in stores, and I applied at Subway and McDonald’s. Nobody was interested in hiring me. I didn’t know that Rehab Services is supposed to help you find work, so I just floundered around on my own, not getting anywhere.
Finally, in 2022 I moved up to Chicago and got connected with the Department of Rehab Services. My rehab counsellor connected me with an organization called Jewish Occupational Services. It was through them that I got the job I have now.
Jewish Occupational Services gave me a job coach. His name is Mike, and he’s been great! They helped me get an interview at Chick-fil-A.
I got a ride to the interview, but the driver dropped me off at the wrong place. I was out on the street with no idea where I was, and I was scared I’d be late! I ended up calling the police, and an officer came and helped me get to where I needed to be. I was only one street over, but I didn’t know that. Even with all that confusion I got to the interview on time, and Mike was there waiting for me. What a relief!
My interview went really well. A few days later they called and told me they’d like to have me on the team. I was so excited!
I’m a member of the front house crew, serving the customers. The food comes down a big chute. I can tell which order is which by touching the boxes, because they’re different shapes. They’re very hot, though, so I have to be careful when I touch them.
To perform my job I use some special equipment for access. One thing I find very helpful is a liquid level indicator. It beeps when I fill a cup to the right level. I also use a device called the OrCam ReadMe. It takes a picture of the customer’s ticket and reads it aloud.
I really love the people I work with. They’re super nice and considerate. I’m so happy that I have this job, and I always give it my best.
I know for us blind people it can really be hard to find a job, but it’s worth the effort. I want to tell people not to get discouraged. Keep looking, because there’s always something out there waiting for you.