1. Bridging the Gap Between Disability Services & Career Services Alan D. Muir, Presenter Executive Director February 8, 2006

2. Background Observed low participation by students with disabilities in University of Tennessee Career Services Needed to identify methods of increasing traffic of these students

3. Background Article and reference research revealed Extensive research on transition from HS to work Nothing on transition to work from Higher Education No statistics on the unemployment rate of college graduates with disabilities Best unemployment rate estimate for this population is near 40%

4. Funding of Research Tennessee State VR Small grant, mainly for travel expenses Alan Muir and Bob Greenberg Required results of research Plan for relieving the problems found

5. Hypothesis Collaboration between Disability Services (DS) and Career Services (CS) is needed CS is the only campus office at which employers visit to recruit Without students with disabilities participating in CS programs, they are invisible to employers CS needs exposure to disability DS needs exposure to careers

6. University Research In-person meetings with 25 universities Targeted by reputation in serving students with disabilities New Mobility Magazine ODEP Attempted to identify a “model program” integrating students with disabilities into CS

7. University Research Results No active “model program” Several attempts that withered away Other possible programs were active but ineffective Assigning a specific person in CS as the disability expert Limited hours with limited disability experience Some DS and CS offices unaware of each other

8. Employer Research In-person meetings with 35 national employers Seeking “success stories” of recruitment of college students with disabilities Identifying employers “ready” to recruit college students with disabilities

9. Employer Research Results More questions than answers Where do we find students with disabilities? When we do find students, why are they unqualified? Bounced between CS and DS in search Great enthusiasm and recognition of need to hire people with disabilities Changing workforce with looming labor shortage Disability is a new source

10. UT Disability Careers Office Liaison office between DS and CS Initial funding of $70,000 net from VR Does not replace or replicate CS Coordinator supervised by Director of CS Assists students with disability related issues for ultimate referral to CS Self-Advocacy Disclosure

11. UT Disability Careers Office Results after six years Peak of more than 150 students served Placement rate similar to CS rate with general student population Funding challenges with VR in ’03 – ‘04 Now on UT hard money New Coordinator that will build it back

12. UT Disability Careers Office Services to all students with disabilities One-on-one appointments Basic resume and cover letter assistance Encouragement to seek CS internships Hosting of WRP AAPD, The Washington Center, Emerging Leaders, AAAS Entry Point! Community outreach

13. Bringing It All Together Employers Specifically searching for students with disabilities Specific recruiting programs Specialized personnel in Disability Services role Greater sophistication in disability

14. Bringing It All Together Career Services Understanding of key role as liaison between student and employer Need to be more helpful and attuned to needs of students with disabilities COSD training is getting out there COSD encouraging CS to reach out to DS

15. Bringing It All Together Disability Services Expanding the “continuum of service” Understanding difference between disclosure in higher education and workplace COSD encouraging involvement with students and employers COSD encouraging outreach to CS

16. Challenges Confidentiality in sharing of student information between CS and DS Suggestions DS Staff belief in collaboration with CS and employers as a way to assist students beyond graduation Outreach to CS to set guidelines Need to find the best way for your school – forms and procedures Students need to “buy” into concept

17. Challenges Confidentiality in sharing of student information between CS and DS Further suggestions Student awareness of the importance of career preparation Student understanding of the value of work experience Obtaining “buy-in” from Deans and VPs at your school of the value of DS and CS collaboration

18. Challenges Not enough time At each encounter with a student, ask questions Have you chosen a major? (1 st or 2 nd Year) Have you thought about the future of that major? (1 st or 2 nd Year) Would you like help with resume and cover letter? (Sophomore through Senior Years) Do you know which employers come to campus? (Senior Year) Would you like to know more about CS? Joint programs and mutual advertising of each other’s programs

19. Challenges Not enough knowledge DS folks do not need to be career experts Identify specific people to which you refer students Stress the importance of a career search Part of your “tool box” along with Advising, Counseling Services and Accommodations Reach out to CS for basic in-service training

20. Summary Unemployment among college graduates with disabilities is 40% Resources on campus to help these students find appropriate careers Disability Services is primary connection to these students and vital to refer them to these resources Disability Services vital to keep careers in the front of students’ minds Encouragement of students

21. COSD Contact Information Alan D. Muir, Executive Director COSD The University of Tennessee 100 Dunford Hall Knoxville, TN 37996-4010 865-974-7148 E-mail: amuir@tennessee.edu COSD Website: www.cosdonline.org