Kirsten Larsen
Northern News Services

NNSL (Mar 19/99) - Among the quiet aisles of books rising to the ceiling of the Yellowknife Public Library is the story of Kelly Peters, a Yellowknife resident who spends each day working despite having a disability.

The shelves of books have become the backdrop for a success story that Peters has been living with every step towards her goal of becoming employed. Peters is 28 years old and she had never held a job until last year when she was trained and hired full time at the library.

Peters, who has cerebral palsy, lives with her parents who moved to Yellowknife three years ago. The North is not new to Peters, as she lived in Hay River with her parents as well.

Peters said she never thought about getting a job before coming to Yellowknife, but she knew the long hours indoors to avoid the cold was going to be tough.

"I couldn't sit at home all the time so I thought I might as well get out and do something," said Peters.

"I mean being a disabled person is no reason why I should be sitting at home doing nothing."

Peters began volunteering her time at the library while upgrading her education in a program offered through the Learning Disabilities Association. She later became aware of a government assistance program that could help her receive job training in the field of her choice, thereby helping her get a job. Peters naturally chose to train at the library.

The Opportunities Fund, a federal program funded by the Department of Health and Social Services, subsidized her employers throughout her training. It paid for a job-training coach and for a special ladder to ensure her safety on the job.

After five months of training, beginning in May, 1998, Peters turned in her training status and became a full-time employee of the library in October.

Since then, her responsibilities have grown beyond shelving books. She works her way around the library sorting and shelving books as well as handling the back-room operation of preparing new books before they hit the shelves.

Peters said she loves the environment of the library with its quiet atmosphere and friendly staff.

"You work on your own and no one has to tell me 'OK, it's time to do this or that,'" said Peters.

Peters is not the only person to obtain a job through the Opportunities Fund, but she is the first to acquire full-time employment in Yellowknife since the program started up in 1997. Peters said the fund gives people with disabilities that extra edge to help them gain skills and employment.

"I think it's great because people like myself can get into the workforce."