'It really is meaningful employment': Inside the Milwaukee Bucks' game day call center at Beyond Vision

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- This season the team has a new way to help fans and those providing that service say it’s a game changer.

"Being able to do something that even somebody who is sighted can is kind of inspiring," said Katie Lone, who works at Beyond Vision.

Lone has worked at Beyond Vision in the call center in West Allis for a little over two years and she says it has changed her life for the better.

"I'm learning a lot more about myself," said Lone. "I'm learning a lot more about my community and I feel more welcomed here than where I have been in the past."

Suffering from a hereditary disease, Lone's been struggling with her vision for years.

"I myself have been going blind with a family hereditary disease for the last 25 years and there are other coworkers of mine who haven’t had vision since birth," said Lone. "I'm kind of lucky in a way."

Beyond Vision is a non-profit organization that provides job opportunities for people who are visually impaired or blind.

"70% of working age Americans who are blind or visually impaired are not working," said Rob Buettner, the president and CEO Beyond Vision. "This is a tremendously underused workforce with a lot of talent."

Now, Beyond Vision is expanding their operations, teaming up with the Milwaukee Bucks and becoming the first NBA team to provide a call center staffed with visually impaired representatives.

"It's been unreal," said Lone. "Honestly, I've been learning a lot more about how they do things and how I am able to help different people."

The call center team answers any and all questions for fans headed to Fiserv Forum.

"People call in asking all kinds of things," said Jordan Bloch with Beyond Vision. "How do I find my ticket? Where do I go to park? I can't seem to find my conformation email, any types of FAQ type questions."

The representatives assure fans make it in the stadium and to their seats with ease, so they can watch the action and cheer on the Milwaukee Bucks.

Rodrick Cureton the manager of impact and culture with the Milwaukee Buck's says the center receives anywhere from fifty to a hundred plus calls on game day.

"It's live here like it is at Fiserv Forum," said Rodrick Cureton. "The lines are bumping, people are excited, people are calling."

The Buck's mania is taking over the call center, with decorations and team pride displayed around the office.

"Our agents and our team really takes a lot of pride from being from Milwaukee and being from Wisconsin," said Buettner.

Mary LaPointe, who has worked with Beyond Vision for 12 years says the gameday calls make her feel a part of the team.

"It's been a lot of fun," said LaPointe. "We get great calls, great questions from people. Sometimes it’s a little challenging when we're struggling to help them get their tickets and their getting frustrated because the game coming, but we’ve got back up."

She says she's grateful to have a space to grow, while also being a part of the fan experience.

"It really is meaningful employment," said LaPointe. "It's not just a handout job. It's serving our customers in the community. Gives me a sense of purpose."