COVER: Disability Mentoring Day Wednesday, October 19, 2005 Career Development for the 21st Century Career Exploration Job Shadowing AAPD and ODEP logos A partnership between the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and a host of private sponsors. PAGE 1: Secretary Chao letter U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao President George W. Bush has proclaimed October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The President strongly believes that America's economic security depends upon using the talents and skills of our workforce — including workers with disabilities. Ensuring that all Americans with disabilities have access to meaningful work opportunities is a critical component of President Bush's New Freedom Initiative, which was one of the very first initiatives launched in his first term. Disability Mentoring Day, which takes place this year on Wednesday, October 19, 2005, is one of the highlights of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. On Disability Mentoring Day, young people with disabilities across our nation spend a day finding out firsthand about the skills and education needed to succeed in the workplace of the 21st century. At the same time, employers gain increased appreciation of the talent represented by today's youth with disabilities and a better understanding of how workers with disabilities can help them in meeting their workplace needs. Disability Mentoring Day complements the President's New Freedom Initiative by increasing the ability of Americans with disabilities to integrate into the workforce. In the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act and President Bush's New Freedom Initiative, the Department of Labor is pleased to host Disability Mentoring Day. I strongly urge young people with disabilities, schools, employers, and government agencies to get involved in this worthwhile effort. We are working with the American Association of People with Disabilities to make this day enriching and meaningful to all participants. For more information about how you can get involved in Disability Mentoring Day, please visit www.dol.gov/odep. Thank you for contributing to the success of this year's event. Sincerely, Elaine L. Chao Page 2 WHAT IS DISABILITY MENTORING DAY? Disability Mentoring Day™ is a large-scale, broad-based effort designed to promote career development for students and other job seekers with disabilities (mentees) through hands-on career exploration, job shadowing, and internship or employment opportunities, and matching of mentee/mentor relationships. This program is hosted nationally in regions around the country by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). In close partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), as well as many national corporate sponsors, whose generosity and participation make this program possible. The Disability Mentoring Day program originated in the White House in 1999 with less than three dozen local students participating. Now hosted by AAPD, which is the nation's largest cross-disability membership organization and is headquartered in Washington, DC, Disability Mentoring Day has evolved significantly to encompass participation in communities of every size in all 50 states, Washington, DC, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and almost 20 international locations. Each year, Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) is observed on the third Wednesday of October, in conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness Month. WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF DISABILITY MENTORING DAY? - To enhance internship and employment opportunities for people with disabilities. - To promote disability as a central component of diversity recruitment for a more inclusive workforce. - To dispel employers' fears about hiring people with disabilities. - To increase confidence among students and job seekers with disabilities. - To serve as a launching point to promote a year-round, national effort to foster mentoring and career exploration opportunities. Last year's local coordinator in Yakima, Washington, instituted monthly mentoring days for participating mentees that incorporate career development and one-on-one ongoing mentoring. Page 3 WHAT HAPPENS ON DISABILITY MENTORING DAY? One-On-One Job Shadowing. Mentees with disabilities are matched with workplace mentors according to expressed career interests. This enables mentees to learn more from their assigned mentors about a typical day on the job and how to prepare for that particular career. Group Visits to Worksites. Mentees with disabilities can tour a workplace, meet with its various employees, and learn firsthand about different types of jobs and related opportunities within that career field. Diverse Programmatic Events. In addition, many communities also plan kick-off breakfasts, all-day informational seminars, and/or end-of-day receptions for all community participants to attend. For example, the U.S. Department of Labor hosts a breakfast kickoff for federal agency mentors and mentees, followed by one-on-one mentoring, and concluding with a reception incorporating agency exhibits. All of these events, plus other scenarios that take place on Disability Mentoring Day, provide an opportunity for the program participants to share their experiences and build a much broader and beneficial network of relationships. "I was a little leary of shadowing in an industrial plant, but learned a lot, thanks to DMD. I would really like to work at this company." 2004 Mentee in Arkansas (This mentee was subsequently offered a full-time summer job.) THE IMPACT OF DISABILITY MENTORING DAY In 2004, through a network of more than 225 volunteer local coordinators in regions around the country, Disability Mentoring Day witnessed participation of more than 9,000 students and job seekers with disabilities nationally and in several international locations. They were mentored by almost 1,500 private, non-profit, governmental, and educational organizations. Official proclamations for Disability Mentoring Day were issued by dozens of local jurisdictions and many state Governors. In addition, Disability Mentoring Day received publicity in national magazines, in both local and national newspapers, and on local and national radio and television stations. Page 4 BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION How Do Students and Job Seekers Benefit? Disability Mentoring Day provides these mentees with opportunities to: - Learn firsthand about internship and job opportunities. - Develop lasting mentor relationships. - Target career skills for improvement. - Explore possible career paths. - Demonstrate skills to potential employers. - Work closely with someone working in their desired career field. - Understand the vital connection between school and work. - Gain greater confidence in their own employability. How Do Employers Benefit? Disability Mentoring Day provides potential employers with opportunities to: - Recruit short- and long-term interns. - Gain access to a pool of new emerging talent. - Learn more about the experience of disability. - Develop lasting relationships with disability community leaders. - Gain exposure through media coverage of the event. - Demonstrate positive leadership in their community. - Promote job satisfaction with and the development of their current workforce. "Without Disability Mentoring Day, most mentees don't get the chance to explore their dream careers. Some mentees changed their goals after participation, but that's okay as they now have time to refocus, reach out, explore and find new goals." 2004 local coordinator in Madison County, Florida Page 5 HOW TO GET INVOLVED If you are a student or job seeker with a disability who is interested in getting involved as a mentee, or if you are an employer, educator or vocational counselor who is interested in becoming involved as a workplace mentor, the first thing to do is review the list of local coordinators on AAPD's web site (www.Disability MentoringDay-aapd.org ) to find a coordinator in your community. Then contact that local coordinator to express your interest in being a mentee or mentor. You may also contact the Disability Mentoring Day National Coordinator at AAPD headquarters for assistance in recruiting new coordinators in your community. If you are interested in serving as a local coordinator, please review the Disability Mentoring Day Toolkit on AAPD's web site and contact the Disability Mentoring Day National Coordinator at AAPD headquarters for planning and publicity resources and guidance. Disability Mentoring Day National Coordinator phone toll free: (800) 840-8844 (Voice/TTY) fax: (202) 457-0473 e-mail: dmdaapd@aol.com web: www.DisabilityMentoringDay-aapd.org For Local Coordinators: www.DisabilityMentoringDay-aapd.org/docs/coordlist.html This was a very worthwhile experience – as a result, I got several job leads plus the chance to do a long-term mentorship, and have also had a few job interviews. 2004 mentee in St Paul, Minnesota This office encourages ongoing communications between mentees and mentors – we'd like to see this become a year-round relationship that results in internships and eventually gainful employment for mentees. Chicago local coordinator from the Chicago Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) Page 6 Disability Mentoring Day PARTNERS AND SPONSORS About AAPD The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation's largest cross-disability membership organization, is dedicated to promoting the economic and political empowerment of all children and adults with disabilities, educating businesses and the general public about disability issues, and providing a wide array of membership benefits. AAPD was founded in 1995 by a group of cross-disability leaders to help unite the diverse community of people with disabilities. For more information, visit www.aapd-dc.org. About ODEP The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), located within the U.S. Department of Labor, is the first federal agency devoted solely to disability employment issues to be led by a Senate confirmed Assistant Secretary. As a catalyst for change, ODEP provides national leadership to increase employment opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities while striving to eliminate barriers to employment. ODEP has been charged with implementing the employment portion of President George W. Bush's New Freedom Initiative for people with disabilities. ODEP provides policy analysis, technical assistance, development of innovative practices and strategies, and education and outreach to employers, employees, and the disability community. For more information, visit www.dol.gov/odep AAPD also extends its sincere gratitude to all Disability Mentoring Day national corporate sponsors, without whom this national program would not be possible. American Airlines, BellSouth, Cingular Wireless, Comcast, Darden Restaurants, Honeywell, HP, Independence Technology, Microsoft, Oracle, Pitney Bowes, SAP, SunTrust, Verizon, Wal-Mart. Back cover Disability Mentoring Day… it's about: Goal Setting and Hands-on Career Exploration In 2004 in Toledo, Ohio, a student mentored at a vet clinic was inspired to apply to attend a vet assistant program at a local college. New Internships and Job Opportunities In Cavalier, North Dakota, a 2004 mentee was offered the opportunity for continuous shadowing until he graduates, and then move into a full-time job. Removal of Attitudinal Barriers I didn't see someone in a wheelchair. I saw someone who likes to do what I do. In a workplace, it's about compatibility that makes a team. 2004 Mentor in Arkadelphia, Arkansas Transitioning to Year-Round Programming In Princeton, West Virginia, mentees met with business leaders and scheduled longer-term mentoring assignments lasting for a minimum of six months. Other Exciting Moments New York City was the national kick-off city for 2004 Disability Mentoring Day. Mayor Bloomberg was honorary chairman, and also hosted a mentee. AAPD National Office 1629 K Street NW, Suite 503 Washington, DC 20006 phone: 202-457-0046 (V/TTY) phone toll-free: 800-840-8844 (V/TTY) web: www.aapd-dc.org