Tulsa Business Recognized For Its Accommodating Practices

A Tulsa business is being recognized for making changes to help a deaf employee.

AirFlo Cooling Technologies makes parts for the heating and cooling industry. When a deaf employee was hired they made a number of changes to help him do his job.

Governor Fallin says they're an example for all.

The everyday noise at a Tulsa manufacturer can be a bit overwhelming. But the experience for Frank Roop is different.

Roop was born deaf. He's the only deaf person in his family and doesn't know why his hearing never developed.

"I don't hear a thing. I am very sensitive to vibrations," Roop said through an interrupter, Bob Le Mons.

Roop says finding his way through the workforce has not been easy. Before coming to AirFlo Cooling Technologies, the 34-year old father of four was working two part time jobs that paid minimum wage.

He says past employers didn't seem interested in helping him communicate.

"No, they never did. It was a constant struggle...communication. But once I got here I was quite impressed because everything seemed to have been established already," he said.

AirFlo is different, he says, within a month of starting here as a part-time employee he moved into a full time position and the company taught other employees about working with someone who's deaf.

AirFlo even created a special workplace for Roop. It's far away from the other manufacturing floor where a 3-ton crane or forklifts can pose a danger.

The company also brings in an interpreter to help Roop during meetings.

"It was our way of allowing him to be independent, at the same time adequately do a job that we needed to have done," said Greg Vogt, AirFlo President.

The company's efforts even got the attention of the governor's office. Governor Fallin gave AirFlo a commendation for helping to create a job for a person with a handicap.

AirFlo says it may hire more employees like Roop in the future and make even more accommodations. Roop says he appreciates what the company has done.

"I feel very grateful that I'm the first deaf employee they've had and to become somewhat of a role model, knowing that deaf people can do anything that hearing people can do. It's been a great thing," he said.