Boys & Girls Club Helping Children with Disabilities
Project Description:
The project was a cooperative effort between Utah State University’s Center for Persons with Disabilities (CPD), the Boys & Girls Club of Brigham City (B&G Club), and Box Elder School District. Using a modified educational research and development model, curriculum materials were developed to teach minority/disadvantaged youth about disabilities and careers in disabilities fields. Fifty + students wishing to participate were identified through the B&G Club and school district. They were trained through a series of classroom and practicum experiences incorporating opportunities to work with people with disabilities in a variety of inclusive settings. Service learning/citizenship credit and university credit were offered as incentives for participation. During the July 1, 2004 - September 30, 2004 period, training was provided for students from the Boys & Girls Club of Brigham City. Data on this and other groups indicated that as a result of the training experience (1) knowledge about disabilities increased dramatically, (2) attitudes toward people with disabilities improved marginally, (3) plans to work with people with disabilities after completing education increased for some participants, and (4) there was high satisfaction with the program . These data were presented at AUCD's annual meeting and conference at Bethesda, MD in November 2004. Based on project experiences the curriculum and scope, and sequence for the program are being revised. In January 2005, the project director attended a Boys & Girls Club regional meeting in Reno, NV. This was an opportunity to network and approach regional administrators about the possibility of dissemination through the Boys & Girls Club network. A project webpage was developed that can be accessed at www.disability-careers.org. Finally, articles were published in two CPD publications, CPD News and Parent News.
Keyword(s):
High School Students, Disability Awareness, Disability Careers
Core Function(s):
Training Trainees, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Employment-Related Activities
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees)
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Single-County
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
