By Laura Owens, Ph.D., CESP The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to change the ways we support students with disabilities in exploring careers and building skills. Students have been forced to navigate learning virtually, educators have been asked to learn new technology quickly, and employment service providers must provide services without the benefit of onsite…
My name is Marvin and I am 21 years old. I graduated from high school in June of 2020. When I was in high school, I had many work experiences through school and with the help of my family. I worked at Café Arrowhead coffee shop. I had an internship with H2O Marine. I had…
My name is Alexa and I am 24 years old. I left my public school when I was 22 years old. When I was young my mom and dad always had me and my sisters do chores and work around the house. They also had me do activities in the neighborhood all the time. My first job…
The unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities continues to remain around 80%. As many organizations, advocates and employment specialists work to change this percentage, another big advocate needed to change this statistic are businesses. There are many employers that have hired individuals with disabilities and we need their support in making sure ALL businesses hire…
Below are three questions I ask myself when developing or working on any employment program for youth with disabilities: Who are we missing at the table? Am I developing this program through a lens of privilege? Would I advise a family member or friend to participate in this program? Opportunity is something that is often…
Transportation touches on every aspect of our lives – from attending school, career training, attending community activities and religious services, shopping and banking, obtaining medical care, and engaging in employment. Transportation is essential across the lifespan yet is a service that many people with disabilities are unable to access, particularly in rural areas. As transportation…
Utah School to Work Project has developed eight (8) project demonstration sites, where multi-agency partners work together as a team to coordinate employment services for transition age youth with significant disabilities, who will benefit from a customized approach to employment in pursuing competitive, community integrated employment. These transition teams are made up of multiple community…
This is the first in a series of podcasts in recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). TASH’s interim Executive Director, Serena Lowe talks with Alison Barkoff, the Director of Advocacy, Center for Public Representation. They have a wide-ranging discussion of employment policy and programs for people with disabilities, but Alison remains rooted throughout…
“I know I should be thinking about the future, but frankly the prospect of her being employed scares me. She’s very vulnerable. You’ll have to be patient with me and give me information I can understand so I can become comfortable with the idea.” – Jane*, a mother during a parent interview The effective engagement…
I love my job. I started working at Universal Cells (UCells), an Astellas Pharma company located in Seattle, Washington, in February 2018 as an Office Lab Assistant. There have been lots of ups and downs with growing pains as the company has expanded. The changes with the COVID restrictions have been challenging. UCells is a…
This project is supported by grant number 90DNTA0001 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201
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