If it were only for the fact that Lorraine Musial, who is deaf and blind, has held down a 30-hour-a-week restaurant job for the past 12 years, that alone would constitute a good story for October, which is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

If it were only for the fact that Lorraine Musial is considered one of the best employees at that restaurant, it would be a good story. Or that she moves around the dining room and kitchen doing prep work without assistance. Or that she was shadowed last week by a job seeker who also has lost her hearing and vision to Usher's syndrome. Or that Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services in Homestead has done an effective job training both women and many others to function independently.

But add that the Red Lobster restaurant on McKnight Road in Ross is a model workplace that has integrated an individual with deaf-blindness with respect, accommodation and enthusiasm.

And add that many staff members have learned sign language so they can communicate with Ms. Musial as fully as possible. And add that Ms. Musial feels an unmistakable sense of value and equality there.

Now you really have a story.

Ms. Musial of Bellevue is the type of person one frequently meets in the hospitality industry -- affable and service-oriented, effervescent and efficient.

She is an energetic 69, perhaps an advantage of working in the peppy environment of a restaurant for so long. (Before joining Red Lobster, she worked at GNC for several years.) Retirement may be out in the future somewhere, she says, but is not an immediate issue by any means.

Ms. Musial is an outstanding employee by any standard, said restaurant general manager Scott Fish.

"Lorraine is probably the most amazing employee I've ever worked with and I've been in the business for 25 years," he said. "To have this disability and do the job she does is incredible. It makes you see what a person with determination and drive can do."

Usher's syndrome is an inherited, progressive condition that causes deafness and retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative disease of the retina. It is the leading cause of deaf-blindness and affects one in 23,000 people.

Although she was diagnosed with deafness at the age of 2, her vision did not begin to fail until she was an adult. By age 42, she was blind.

She has used the services of Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services for job search, computer skills and adaptive equipment, such as a Braille display for her computer. She also attended the Helen Keller National Center to learn independent living skills. Those skills became essential two years ago when her mother, Alberta Musial, died.

Ms. Musial does all her own housework in her apartment, including such tasks as separating laundry by color (with Braille tags) and ironing.

At Red Lobster, communicating with managers and co-workers is no problem. She signs or gestures. They spell or form signs in her palm.

Mary Helgerman, a server at the restaurant for 20 years, opens the restaurant each morning with Ms. Musial. She laughs about the fact that she initially learned the sign alphabet from a Nancy Drew novel she read as a child.

Linda Russell, a prep cook, is the best at signing, Ms. Helgerman said. Karen Fields, a hostess, often writes with the English alphabet in her palm.

Through the years, many employees have proven to be excellent communicators, Ms. Musial said. "Some people catch on and some don't, but they all can do it."

Nick Hurley, a current manager who signs, has become a favorite of Ms. Musial. "They joke a lot and are really funny together," said Ms. Helgerman.

For Ms. Musial, that includes humor about her own disability. No kid gloves there.

"If someone moves something out of place, she'll tell you about it," said Ms. Helgerman. "'You know I'm blind,' she'll say. 'Stop it!' "

Sue Rodgers, 55, of West Mifflin, shadowed Ms. Musial last week. She has lost much of her vision, but has some hearing, because of a cochlear implant.

Restaurant work is just one possibility she is exploring, she said, neatly folding cloth napkins with immaculate hands. She is also looking at jobs in mailing and assembly.

As she follows Ms. Musial's lead this day, she will also be in the kitchen, slicing lemons.

"Not with a knife," Ms. Musial explains through an interpreter, "That would be dangerous. I use a machine."

Like Ms. Musial, Ms. Rodgers brings experience from the years she had sight.

Ms. Rodgers worked in banking for 30 years. As her vision declined, her most recent employer made accommodations. But at some point, there were no tasks that could be performed without the ability to read print.

Her immediate supervisor had a hard time dealing with her layoff, she said. "He was mad, I was upset, but we both knew it was going to happen." The day she got the news, he took the rest of the day off to drive her home.

"But I knew I could do other things," she added. "I could use my hands, my dexterity."

Ms. Rodgers' prospects for employment are good, said Julie Pickens, employment training specialist at BVRS. "She has been in the working world for years and has a number of skills."

Employer surveys have shown that their biggest fears about hiring people with disabilities are concerns about cost and safety.

Ms. Musial's experience pokes holes in those preconceptions. Her safety record at Red Lobster is perfect. Her accommodations have cost nothing.

Ms. Helgerman dismisses the suggestion that Lorraine's disability might be perceived as an inconvenience to the staff.

"From day one, Lorraine was anxious to learn more and take on more responsibility. She's one of our best, if not the best employee, considering her limitations."

"Don't ever underestimate someone," added hostess Kathy Fields, "You never know how valuable they can be."

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