Bridging the Gap Between Disability Services & Career Services

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? (1st or 2nd Year) • Have you thought about the future of that major? (1st or 2nd 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