Alejandro Ortega isn’t any different from other Union Carpenters. He went through his Apprenticeship right after high school. He loved working with his hands and being outdoors, so joining the Union was an easy decision, especially after learning about the benefits and resources a Union trade career could offer.
What sets him apart, however, is grit. Alejandro was born hard of hearing and later experienced total hearing loss as a child. As one might imagine, this posed challenges throughout his upbringing. Still, he persisted with all his ambitions; Finishing the Apprenticeship and graduating at a local community college, becoming an American citizen, and all the while still found time to volunteer with community organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. He recently Journeyed Out, which initially came with some challenges, but he has since learned ways to communicate with his colleagues effectively. Only minor accommodations are needed for Carpenters who are deaf or hard of hearing. We asked Alejandro to share his story, and he sent out a clear message that despite his disability, he can excel at everything he puts his mind to, on and off the job site.
Learn more about Alejandro’s inspiring story by watching his video.