Mentoring Students with Disabilities Matters
An opportunity to underscore the connection between school and work;
students with disabilities learn about an occupation and observe actual work.

Ways You Can Make A Difference

* Listen carefully to your mentee.
  Be understanding and nonjudgmental.  

* Ask questions that help the student determine personal priorities and consider the future.
  For example: What are your interests? What do you enjoy doing? What are you inclined to do? What are your choices? What do you think would happen if you chose this? 

* Set an example.
  Discuss qualities that promote success, retention and advancement in the workplace (e.g., punctuality, enthusiasm, appropriate dress, meeting deadlines)

* Recognize skills and talents.
  Observe and commend talents you observe.

* Help student select career areas compatible with job market demand.
  Your mentee may be interested in a specific career but may not know how to pursue it. For information, visit, http://www.careervoyages.com/.

* Provide a “window view" of the work world; broaden your mentee’s horizons.
  Tour the workplace to provide student(s) with an overview of the work environment.  Introduce student(s) to staff so that they can see how staff with various backgrounds work together to meet organizational goals. Allow students to speak with a variety of employees. Explain the responsibilities of various departments. Arrange a meeting of top leaders in the division to speak about their professions. Attend organizational meeting(s) to allow students to be observers to how an organization functions and the roles various staff members play. Have lunch together; review student’s resume.

* Assist the student to recognize, define and build on his/her strengths.

* Practice communication skills.
  Your mentee may be shy.  He/she may be intimidated by new surroundings and may be wondering what to say. Encourage student to talk during your discussions.  Have the student ask you questions and answer your questions.

* Discuss ways to deal with roadblocks that may occur while achieving goals; share your thoughts.
  Discuss your job, making positive choices, roadblocks you may have encountered, and how you handled them.

* Motivate and inspire students to achieve their potential.
Encourage mentees to continue their career exploration by arranging informational interviews with organizations that represent their field(s) of interest.

These tips were compiled from the following sources:
Newsweek, "How to Be a Great Mentor," 1999, and ODEP’s High School High Tech Program Manual, 2003.