CEDAR FALLS - Jim Coloff knew talent when he saw it -or, more correctly, heard it.

Teri Lynn, a well-known on-air radio personality who'd worked for different stations in the Cedar Valley for two decades, was available on the job market. Coloff, who owns several local radios stations, seized the opportunity to bring her into the fold.

Lynn, who has had spina bifida since birth and has used a wheelchair in recent years, hadn't always received the same receptive treatment in her career. Coloff knew Lynn was one of the best local talents around - on four wheels or two legs - and was determined to make the relationship work.

It has. And Coloff says it can for other employers, if they look past disabilities concentrate on talent.

"We felt very fortunate that she was looking for a job and was available," Coloff said.

Lynn, a 24-year radio industry veteran, has been at radio station KCVM, Mix 96.1 FM, since 2002. She is the afternoon and early evening on-air personality. She is a 1983 graduate of Cedar Falls High School and was turned on to a broadcasting career by longtime CFHS teacher Merle Picht.

"He kept me after class one day and said, 'If you do not pursue a radio career, you're a fool. You're a natural,'" Lynn recalled. She picked up a two-year degree from Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge and her career was on its way. She started working in 1984.

Her disability is as much a part of her as her talent. She was plagued with osteomyelitis throughout her high school years. " Everybody wants to be accepted for who they are, and junior high and high school days can be kind of cruel," she said, but she worked through that - often, with humor.

"My motto is no matter what gender, color, race, ability or disability, acceptance is key," she said.

"I've had a disability my whole life," Lynn said. She started using a wheelchair after two major back surgeries within nine weeks of each other that weakened her legs.

She's become increasingly active on the issue in recent years. She serves on the board of the Black Hawk Center for Independent Living, the Inclusion Connection and is competing in the Ms. Wheelchair Iowa competition this month. She has Coloff as a sponsor.

"It's odd for me, because my focus has never been my disability; it's always been my ability," Lynn said. "The only thing family, friends or anyone said anything about my disability was, 'Don't let it stand in your way. You can do whatever you want to do.'"

She learned that from her mother, who raised her as a single parent. "She was a very, very big part of me," she said. "And the reason I am so very independent is her. Her grandmother, who lived in McGregor, always had a radio on, and it was "a staple of my life."

"This is my second go-round in this building," Lynn said. She worked at predecessor AM radio sister station KCFI in Cedar Falls. And she knew the building's potential limitations in accommodating a person with disabilities.

She was surprised. Coloff not only had made improvements to the building, he invested in more, putting in a handicap accessible bathroom with design and input from Lynn herself. "It's real important that employees with special needs work with the employer, and Teri did that," Coloff said.

"We knew that she has a great track record and a great career as a broadcaster," said Coloff. Her disability "really wasn't a factor at all on whether we were going to hire her or not. We had to make some adaptations over the years, but nothing that's been a big deal at all. We really looked at just her skills and years and experience in radio."

There is state assistance available for people with disabilities to make accessibility improvements to their work areas, Lynn said.

The biggest challenges may be more attitudinal than physical, Coloff said. "The biggest thing is people's fears, acceptance," Coloff said. "They're afraid of what might happen if they hire someone with a disability, or what accommodations they might have to make. In my experience, they've been minor," such as providing help with setting up live remote broadcasts when necessary.

"I think you've got to look at the skills and ability of the individual, not really look at her disability." Coloff said.

Contact Pat Kinney at (319) 291-1484 or Pat.Kinney@wcfcourier.com