Answering the Call: How Jordan Lazaroff Found His Voice at InspiriTec

It is hard to believe Jordan Lazaroff had once been afraid to answer his cell phone. He now spends most of his workday answering phone calls to provide technical support to NASA employees and business partners on an AbilityOne® Program contract. Lazaroff is a Tier 1 help desk agent at InspiriTec, an AbilityOne federal contractor in SourceAmerica's network.

Lazaroff developed a passion for information technology after watching TechTV and crime shows growing up. He completed a bachelor's degree in criminal justice in three years by going to school year-round, graduating cum laude. Lazaroff found his calling in IT. He just needed to find a way to get past the fear of someone calling. That part of Lazaroff's story is told best in his own words and from some of the people who made the right calls to help along the way.

Jordan Lazaroff

"My struggles with communication, because of my disabilities, made finding and keeping jobs difficult," Lazaroff said. "I had a brain injury in utero, which caused cerebral palsy in my right arm and autism spectrum disorder. I was such a poor communicator that I was terrified to answer my own cell phone. I especially struggled with answering questions quickly, which made interviewing difficult."

"I tried my best to access disability services for college graduates, such as federal recruitment programs," Lazaroff explained. "They helped me find some work, but those jobs never lasted long. These positions were either temporary assignments, subcontracts, or did not accommodate my disabilities. Confident I would always find another job, I continued renting my apartment through the ups and downs of my employment journey. Things didn’t work out, and I had to move back home after my job search lasted longer than I anticipated."

"I was unemployed for more than two years before my job coach at AHEDD, a nonprofit organization that provides employment services to Pennsylvanians with disabilities, helped me land a job at InspiriTec," Lazaroff said. "InspiriTec is the perfect employer for me: I am doing IT work for the government, I have improved my communication and customer service skills, and InspiriTec has created a supportive environment for people just like me."

"InspiriTec managers are different," he said. "They are patient and adapt to each employee’s learning style. They encourage employees to ask questions and learn from their mistakes. They take pride in our professional and personal growth. I have worked on several projects at InspiriTec. Each one is more complex, and every new role comes with a pay increase."

"InspiriTec has made me a better and more confident communicator," Lazaroff said. "I'm no longer afraid to answer my own cell phone. I feel more confident talking on the phone and talking to people. Now, I'd rather call someone than email them. I even run a social support group in Philadelphia, where I plan events for neurodivergent young adults. It's called 'Chit Chat: Exploring Philly's Food and Outdoors.' I now have a greater appreciation for people who work in customer service, and I own a condo!"

InspiriTec: Making Calls that Matter

"Jordan started in an entry-level position at InspiriTec as a survey agent in January 2015," InspiriTec case manager Nick Mendillo said. "He showed great determination and potential right away with the right accommodations. For example, Jordan's seat was in a high-traffic area, and he easily got distracted from overstimulation. We moved his seat and got him a better headset. He also worked with case management to strengthen his interpersonal communication skills. Since he does not drive, Jordan takes public transportation to and from work. He walks to the train, rides it for about an hour, then walks to the office. He didn't want to be on the train or walking home at night, so we adjusted his schedule."

Lazaroff rose from being a customer service representative to a more complex project, and then another, and another. He has worked on almost every project possible at InspiriTec.

"Jordan can work anywhere, if given the right environment," Mendillo said. "The only difference is InspiriTec actually created that environment for him, and other places didn't.”

Lazaroff went from struggling to communicate to confidently answering calls for work and making them to connect others in the disability community. "Jordan ensures Jordan–not his disabilities–takes control of his life," Mendillo said.

If you or someone you know is looking for a job, the SourceAmerica Job Board connects people with disabilities seeking employment with positions available through nonprofit agencies in the SourceAmerica network.