David Mank on the Six Keys to Success in Competitive Integrated Employment
David Mank discusses the six keys to success in in facilitating Competitive Integrated Employment for people with disabilities.
The Employment Collaborative of Cuyahoga County
Dale Verstegen talks with Jared Daly, Chris Carpenter and Eric Hibinjer of the Employment Collaborative of Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The Employment Collaborative of Cuyahoga County is a group of 37 local employment services providers, formed in 2014. They discuss how the Collaborative works to improve the quality of services to people with disabilities seeking employment,…
The History and Future of D.C.’s Project ACTION! Part II: Supports
This is the second of a two part series on Project ACTION!, a coalition of self-advocates and self-advocacy groups from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia (part one is here). ACTION! stands for Advocacy, Change, Training, Information, Organizing and Networking. The YES! Center’s Dale Verstegen talks to Rebecca Salon and Phyllis Holton about the beginning of…
Innovative Employer Engagement in Alaska’s PIE Project
We talk with Kristin Vandagriff, the Planner for the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education and lead of Alaska’s PIE project about the innovative steps that Alaska has taken to engage with employers, as well as the resources that Alaska has made available on their engagement efforts.
The History and Future of D.C.’s Project ACTION! Part I: The Leadership
This is part one of a two part series on Project ACTION!, a coalition of self-advocates and self-advocacy groups from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia (part two is here). ACTION! stands for Advocacy, Change, Training, Information, Organizing and Networking. The YES! Center’s Dale Verstegen talks to Ricardo Thornton and Thomas Mangrum, the President and Vice…
Meet Gabe! Husband, Advocate, and Employee of The Month
Gabe and his wife, Alex, moved to Washington, DC from Kansas City, MO in 2012. While Gabe has Down Syndrome and Alex has Cerebral Palsy, neither of them have ever let that slow them down or stop them for pursuing their dreams. As young adults, Gabe and Alex have already accomplished so much. They live…
Utah’s School to Work Program Hosts Successful Community of Practice
Last week, the YES! Center staff attended a Community of Practice, hosted by our Utah PIE state partners. The YES! Center staff kicked off the day with a welcome and quick exercise. Attendees were asked to describe a positive strength or quality that they have that they would want an employer or educator to know about…
Meet Kevin, a Future Mentor and Motivational Speaker!
Kevin Wright is a 24-year old native Washingtonian with a Learning Disability and a Speech Impairment. Kevin does not consider them barriers; instead, he considers his quiet nature to be his only barrier. He attended two different schools for his kindergarten to high school years. He attended Accotink Academy in Springfield, VA from kindergarten to…
Meet Steven, a Social Justice Activist and Future Entrepreneur!
Steven Powe is a native Washingtonian who was faced with many barriers growing up with intellectual and learning disabilities, as well as, mental health issues. But throughout his struggles, Steven maintained the aspiration of always wanting to work. At the age of 14, he was able to get his first work experience through DC Summer Youth…
Meet Almir Through His Mother’s Eyes
HOW A MOTHER’S ROLE WAS KEY IN HELPING HER SON FIND EMPLOYMENT. Hi, my name is Shedia Tulic and I want to let you know I have my only son, Almir, enrolled in a Transition Program in Salt Lake City, Utah. He has learned a lot in his two years from the instructors because they are…
