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December 18, 2009
Deaf postal worker greets customers with a smile
Most days, Joe Ortiz, 46, works at the Seventh Street branch of the U.S. Postal Service.
He'll greet you with a smile and handle your business quickly and efficiently. It's only then that you realize you haven't heard him speak during the transaction. Ortiz, an employee of the Postal Service for 25 years, is deaf, but that doesn't slow him down.
Born deaf, Ortiz has held a variety of jobs, ranging from part-time cook at Fenway Park in Boston to bicycle repair in Frederick .
He attended an all-deaf high school, college and church growing up, but he was inspired by his older deaf brother who worked for the post office in Denver.
After working for the Postal Service where he lived in Rochester, N.Y., he decided to move to Frederick because of the many deaf sporting events here.
Ortiz enjoys working at the post office, and he said that customers are understanding.
He has a few signs at his counter that he can use to communicate with people, and he reads lips. But if communication becomes difficult, he writes notes or attempts to use hand gestures to get his message across.
Occasionally, he can use American Sign Language with the post office's deaf customers.
But he said that his favorite customers are the ones who continually come to his counter, even when there is no line.
Next time you need to ship a package or get some stamps, don't hesitate to ask Joe for assistance. Just be sure to speak slowly and clearly.
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=98978
Posted by 4HL on December 18, 2009 2:41 AM
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