Blind Postal Mail Processing Clerk Determined To Lead Normal Life

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Despite pressure from the USPS to retire, that wasn’t an option for Frank Facio, a 29 -year San Diego, CA Postal Employee and Delivery Bar Code Sorter (DBCS) machine clerk:

It is a challenge for every postal employee to run mail-processing machines safely and efficiently on a daily basis. For San Diego Area Local member Frank Facio, that task is more difficult.

Frank FAcio

Frank Facio

That’s because Facio, who operates a Delivery Bar Code Sorter (DBCS) machine at the Margaret Sellers Processing & Distribution Center, is blind.

“Many people ask how I can work at the Postal Service, being blind,” Facio said. “I always answer with a joke: My job is licking stamps.”

Facio was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at age 17. When he began working as a Letter Sorting Machine operator in 1982, he still had his vision, but it was diminishing rapidly.

Despite pressure from the USPS to retire, that wasn’t an option for Facio.With help from his local union reps, Facio was taken back on the workroom floor, and was shown the DBCS.

“As soon as I saw the machine, I was thinking, ‘What do I need to do to modify this equipment to make it work for me,’” Facio said. “I knew immediately, this was going to be my job.”

Finally, with some machine modifications Facio’s DBCS and the racks that holds the mail trays were brailled – he was
speeding through the mail. He said his goal was to process more than 200,000 pieces of mail on Tour 2 – a feat he and his partner accomplished, processing 226,000 pieces one shift, and then proving it was not a fluke by processing 204,000 pieces the next day.

“No one thought I could do this job,” Facio said, “but it was a big achievement for me. I proved that I could do this job – with no sight and a dog on the floor – just as well as anyone, and my numbers showed it.”

source: The American Postal Worker Magazine

In 2005, PostalReporter.com posted a link to a news story about Frank Facio from the San Diego Union Tribune:

The transition from sight to blindness has been helped by Frank Facio’s positive attitude about the challenges he faces. Undaunted, he and his guide dog, Gina, make the daily trek to work at the Carmel Valley Post Office.

When he first got his job at the post office in Phoenix, Facio already had RP, but he was still able to read addresses on letters. But over time, his work began to slow down, and he had switch departments.

But after transferring to San Diego, he found a home behind the stackers, where he’s been since 1997. This is where Facio finds his rhythm.

Instead of getting depressed or feeling sorry for himself, Facio was determined to lead a normal life and make adjustments along the way.

8 thoughts on “Blind Postal Mail Processing Clerk Determined To Lead Normal Life”

  1. I worked with Frank in Phoenix and am really happy to hear frank is doing fine, I am proud of you Frank. Bob McDonald

  2. Congratulations and I wish good luck in your fight with management…I have macula degeneration to the point that I can’t see straigh lines, however, I lost my case and after having 70 years in this planet, I have been force to keep working in the floor as an ET afraid every instant to get into an accident

  3. Good for this guy. I applaud his accompishments, both in his ability to adapt and his ability to persever in finding a job within USPS. Now if only the USPS would ork with injured employees.

  4. Just goes to show you how management is. They want to fire a disabled people to save their butts. Looks like a legal battle for the USPS. I worked out there in MLS and know of this guy and people said he was a great worker. It’s hard to find a good worker in the USPS. Keep up the great work Frank and don’t give in to the upper Dogs.

  5. Frank, I have been working around you for many years now. Keep up the good work. I do wish that this article was up to date. You are now currently on Tour 3 in San Diego and still just as hard worker.

  6. I would like to thank Mr. Frank Facio on behalf of all United States Postal Service Employees. This is a prime example that management does not have a clue of the hard work its employees contribute to this agency on a daily basis.

  7. This man may be disabled, but he more able than people who are not disabled. Thank u for doing what you do and to tell management to kiss your ass.

  8. WOWOWOWOW…….I AM TRULY IMPRESSED!!!!!!! WAY TO GO FRANK!!!!!! SPECTACULAR YOU WOULDN’T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER FROM USPS!!!!!!

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