Date: April 3, 2007 To: Disability Mentoring Day National Corporate Sponsors Subject: 2006 Disability Mentoring Day Final Report AAPD is grateful for the generous support for Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) 2006 from the program’s national corporate sponsors. Darden Restaurants served as Lead Sponsor and the U.S. Social Security Administration was Public Sponsor. Thanks to your sponsorship, you helped to make it possible for AAPD to provide uninterrupted technical support to the hundreds of volunteer local coordinators around the world; develop and disseminate thousands of DMD posters and brochures that local coordinators used to recruit mentees and mentors; and make important introductions to your local affiliates who provided both in-kind and mentoring assistance to DMD programs nationally. On behalf of all the volunteers, and in particular, the mentees and mentors, we thank you for your commitment to a diverse workplace and for incorporating disability into your company’s diversity practices. Overview Although the Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) Program originated in the White House in 1999 with less than thirty-six Washington, DC-area students participating, it has grown (since being passed to AAPD in 2000) to a point where more than 13,000 students and job seekers have participated annually, around the country. Moreover, DMD has evolved from a single day of program activities, to a day set aside to highlight and “kickoff” the year-round initiatives and efforts of various persons and agencies who are interested in improving employment outcomes, along with the general quality of life, among persons with disabilities. This national effort continues to promote the career development of students and job seekers with disabilities through career exploration, job shadowing and internship or employment opportunities. The general goals of DMD are to: • Promote disability as a central component of diversity recruitment for a more inclusive workforce; • Dispel employers’ fears about hiring people with disabilities; • Increase confidence among students and job seekers with disabilities; • Enhance internship and employment opportunities for people with disabilities; and • Serve as a launch pad to promote a year-round, national effort to foster mentoring and career- exploration opportunities. Disability Mentoring Day 2006 Activities In 2006, DMD had over 300 local coordinators around the country and the world, all working on a volunteer basis for AAPD. To date, 20% of the volunteers have been kind enough, through written reports to AAPD, to share their experiences of DMD 2006 as well as provide recommendations for DMD 2007. Based on their reports, AAPD estimates that approximately 13,000 mentees participated in DMD in 2006. High school students comprised the vast majority of the participants, to be followed by job-seekers, and then college students. Local coordinators reported that the disabilities represented were: (1) neurological; (2) physical; (3) intellectual; (4) sensory; (5) mental; and (6) multiple. It appears that the majority of DMD events around the country took on one of four models: one day job-shadowing; career fairs; career workshops (i.e. resume and cover letter writing; interviewing techniques, etc.); or a combination of all four. Below are examples of different DMD events that took place around the country and the various outcomes: * Montgomery, AL: This program included an employment readiness forum for over 220 mentees. Employers were also given the opportunity to speak to mentees about the skills and characteristics employers look for when they hire employees. * Washington, DC: Mentees were provided a combination of activities. They were invited to attend career development workshops and participate in a career fair. The fair included representatives from various government agencies, such as the U.S. Social Security Administration and the U.S. Department of Treasury, as well as corporations such as Verizon and American Airlines, to name a few. This program gave the mentees the tools and opportunity to network and connect with any employer of their interest, with the intent of developing a long-term mentoring relationship. * Montana: This program was held in the Governor’s office where mentees had an opportunity to learn more about careers in state government. The local organizing team subsequently compiled internship opportunities that were available with the state and federal governments and are now working with mentees who are interested in applying for those vacancies. * Morristown, New Jersey: The local coordinator reported that “Verizon put together some very informative programs – a teleconference and overview of Network Operations. One mentee shadowed the Vice President of Workplace Diversity for an aggressively scheduled day of meetings with each of her direct reports. Another joined a credit manager and his team. The Human Resources Communications Group invited a college communications major to learn all about editing Human Resources communications; they had her conduct interviews of the staff as if she were a radio personality.” * Herkimer, Madison, and Oneida Counties, New York: The local coordinator shared that, “one mentee was so exhilarated after DMD, she signed up for GED classes and certified nursing assistants training.” In addition, the coordinator reported that one of the mentees was offered full-time employment. The local organizing committee was very excited about the successes of DMD 2006 in their area and already looking forward to DMD 2007. * Nashville, TN: The local coordinator recruited a new employer, Bridgestone Americas, to host DMD at its headquarters for 12 mentees, who spent the day shadowing various employees from different departments, based on the mentees’ interests. Bridgestone subsequently offered full-time employment to one of their mentees. The local coordinator and Bridgestone staff were happy with the outcomes and are looking forward to expanding the program in 2007 to recruit more mentees to shadow the many employees who expressed an interest in becoming mentors. * Vermont (statewide): The program was coordinated through a committee of volunteers from around the state. The committee reported a variety of year-round activities, ranging from informational interviews, facility tours and one-on-one mentoring. Through these year-round initiatives, one student is participating in a long-term internship at the University of Vermont through the University Intelligent Media Laboratory. * Charleston, WV: This program engaged students who were part of a state-operated Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center, which provides vocational training to its participants. Mentees were assigned to pre-DMD workshops, where they received tips and advice on interviewing skills, disability disclosure, how to research potential employers, etc. An Olive Garden in the area is interested in hiring program graduates. Mentoring is a powerful tool that can positively impact a person’s life, especially young people with disabilities. A mentoring study found that mentees “(1) learned how to conquer disability-related barriers, (2) became more positive about their capabilities and future potential for independence, (3) became more self-reliant, and (4) expressed increased interest in working, going to college and living in their own homes.” Consequently, it is not only important for organizations to take proactive steps in mentoring youth with disabilities, but also to raise public awareness about mentoring. Building on DMD 2006: Preparing for DMD 2007 As with any program, AAPD is continually seeking input from our volunteer local coordinators on ways we can better support their efforts around the world. A few general areas for improvement are: AAPD Support for Local Coordinators: Conference Calls, Peer Mentoring A significant amount of the DMD national coordinator’s time is spent providing technical assistance to the volunteers around the country. In 2006, the national coordinator, who is an AAPD full-time staff member: * Implemented monthly conference calls for all the local coordinators as a forum to discuss and brainstorm on topics such as employer recruitment techniques; fundraising strategies; disability disclosure; public relations strategies; best practices; program design for rural areas, etc. The conference calls also offer an opportunity for the more experienced coordinators to share their ideas with the newer coordinators. All the local coordinators expressed their appreciation (both in their reports and informally) for the monthly conference calls; they believe these are a positive development in DMD. AAPD has already begun to publicize the series of conference calls for the 2007 program, beginning with a call held on March 23. * Made connections between experienced local coordinators with newly recruited coordinators, to create informal peer mentoring relationships. New local coordinators were introduced to other coordinators in their state or to their state coordinator, to gain some first-hand experience in designing DMD programs in their specific communities. State coordinators, in particular, have been able to assist with regard to identifying potential employers and other community-based organizations to help get DMD programs started in new communities. The monthly conference calls, of course, also served as another venue for coordinators to connect with each other to share best practices and resources. Recruitment Materials: Posters, Brochures, Save-the-Date Cards The local coordinators have shown great appreciation for the posters and brochures that AAPD designs and disseminates to programs around the country. The coordinators reported that the posters and brochures helped give their DMD program more credibility in their local communities, especially as they approach local businesses and employers for mentoring opportunities and local funding. In the 2006 program, an average of 25 posters and brochures were sent to each local coordinator. As we have always done, all our national sponsors are showcased in our brochures and posters; in this regard, in the 2006 program, all our national sponsors, received widespread publicity as corporations that promote inclusive workplaces. In addition to producing brochures and posters for the 2007 program, AAPD also intends to create save-the-date postcards, which will enhance coordinators’ recruiting efforts in their communities. Engaging Employers Earlier in the Process The DMD program in the Los Angeles and Ventura Counties in California hosted a breakfast for potential employers in August, in collaboration with California State University-Northridge. The breakfast was designed to introduce DMD to potential employers; solicit the employers’ support; garner employers’ interest in offering mentoring opportunities; and make the employers allies in recruitment efforts. In addition to the breakfast, the same DMD program also hosted a lunch at the local Chamber of Commerce to discuss Disability Employment Awareness Month. Building upon the relationships that were established in 2006 between corporate affiliates and local coordinators, the coordinators have already expressed a desire to engage their new contacts in DMD planning earlier in the process. In outreach to potential employers, we would recommend a similar approach as the meeting organized by the Los Angeles-Ventura Counties program, to extend an invitation for an employer-awareness meeting. This approach gives local employers a better understanding of the philosophy of DMD, the objectives of the program, and an opportunity to explore ways to become full participants. U.S. Business Leadership Network In 2006, AAPD established an even closer partnership with the U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN), the national business organization representing BLN chapters in 32 states that promote the business case of including people with disabilities in the workplace. This is a very important step toward assisting employers, human resource professionals, businesses, and retailers understand that people with disabilities are very employable and represent buying power in the marketplace. Annually, AAPD identifies a U.S. city to kick-off DMD activities around the country. In 2006, AAPD launched DMD in conjunction with the USBLN annual meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. More than 250 high school and college students attended workshops and a career fair with more than 50 booths. AAPD had a strong presence at this event, as a speaker and an exhibitor. The conference also afforded AAPD the chance to publicize the national DMD program to the students, as well as to parents, educators and rehabilitation counselors. In 2007, AAPD will kick-off DMD activities from Orlando, Florida, in conjunction with this year’s USBLN annual meeting. Our Appreciation This year, many of the coordinators of Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) activities developed programs that were eclectic, fulfilling the needs of employers, young adults with disabilities, and event hosts. We invite you to visit the AAPD website (www.aapd.com) to see additional testimonials from program participants and view the DMD2006 photo gallery. We deeply appreciated your sponsorship for this critical program, and remain grateful for this endorsement. Thank you. Powers, L.E., Sowers, J, & Stevens, T. An Exploratory, Randomized Study of the Impact of Mentoring on the Self- Efficacy and Community-Based Knowledge of Adolescents with Severe Physical Challenges. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 5 (4), 1995. pg. 12.