1. Paths 2 the Future: Empowering Girls with Disabilities
Lauren Lindstrom
University of Oregon
United States of America
23 February 2017
International efforts to empower girls

2. ”Women with Disabilities
Are less likely to:
Attend or complete primary education
Enroll in vocational or post-secondary education
Be employed
And more likely to live in poverty than MEN with disabilities
World Health Organization, 2011

3. Paths 2 the Future WHAT: Short term vocational education program
WHO: Adolescent girls with disabilities ages 14 to 21
WHY: Teach girls communication and vocational skills to prepare for future careers
Taught in public high schools
Funded by U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences

4. Paths 2 the Future 75 lessons in four modules
Self-Awareness
Disability Knowledge
Gender Awareness
Career & College Readiness
The P2F curriculum has 75 lessons that cover four broad areas: a) self-determination, b) disability knowledge, c) gender awareness, and d) career and college readiness. The curriculum is interactive - teachers are responsible for presenting information, leading activities and engaging students in group discussions. In addition, girls make field trips to visit various employers and training programs. At the completion of the program, each student has skills and knowledge needed to transition from high school to a satisfying career in their community.
The curriculum is low cost and replicable and incudes:
Student workbooks
Fully developed lesson plans
Teacher Resource guide

5. Paths 2 the Future Innovation
Girls Only class
Focus on communication and empowerment
Evidence based practice
Girls Only class
Focus on communication and empowerment

6. ”Paths 2 the Future Results
Girls in the P2F class showed significant increases in career knowledge and skills:
Self-Realization
Disability and Gender Knowledge

7. Paths 2 the Future Results
Confidence and determination to achieve goals
How to identify my strengths
Self-awareness and acceptance
Future planning and goal setting
Knowledge of disability
What is the most important thing that you learned?
From the 2011 focus groups

8. ”Paths 2 the Future Life Story
Jazmin
2016 Paths 2 the Future graduate
Graduated from high school
Enrolled at University of Oregon
Career goal is to be Social worker helping children

9. Paths 2 the Future Impact
“ I found my voice even more and being able to understand how many doors are actually open to me.”
“I learned that my disability can’t stop me.”
Quotes from 2016 Focus Group interviews.

10. Paths 2 the Future Next Steps
Expand to additional high schools in Oregon
Collect follow up data
Share outcomes through conference presentations
Replicate the model