The College Connection for Career Development of Youth with Disabilities

2005

The Advocacy and Empowerment for Minorities with Disabilities program of the Institute on Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago (A & E) has been in existence for over twelve years. This program was designed to promote improved quality of life for low income ethnic minority individuals with disabilities and their families. It has met this goal by providing nine years worth of services to in-school and out-of school youth transitioning to adult life. The College Connection Project allowed us to develop and empirically validate an intervention model to promote attainment of transition outcomes among participating low-income minority youth with disabilities. This model has been implemented in several Chicago Public Schools and has been recognized by the US Department of Education as a best practice model that promotes effective transition and interagency collaboration as mandated by the IDEA legislation. In 2004, the A&E Program was the recipient of a $525,000 three-year federal grant to disseminate the model among a wide range of high schools in. the city of Chicago. Currently 8 high schools from the Chicago area and16 in the next academic year will be implementing our curriculum with senior students with disabilities. The overall goal of the project is to provide 50 out-of -school youth with disabilities long-lasting careers. This project will develop the capacity of three organizations to better meet the needs of low income youth with disabilities graduating from high school and entering community college certificate programs in order to expand their career opportunities. Through collaboration with the Chicago Public School System (CPS), the City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), and the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), youth will complete short-term demand driven certificate programs. Past participants have completed certificates in areas like Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Tech Aide, Security Guard, A+ Computer Technician, Computer Office Skills, and Auto Mechanics. The A&E program will be primarily responsible for recruiting 50 out-of-school youth with disabilities between the ages of 18-21. The total amount requested for this proven and comprehensive model for providing effective transition services for low income youth with disabilities is $300,000. The students will receive classroom training on skills critical to promote their career success, like requesting accommodations both at college classes and job sites, self-advocacy, and self-determination, so they can become independent and able to recruit support from others as needed to pursue their career and employment goals. Participants will then enroll in programs leading to successful post secondary training at the City Colleges of Chicago. Some participants may choose to start working right away after graduation; others may want to take college courses leading to college degrees, while others may choose training leading to certificate programs. Those who are able to complete their training at the City Colleges programs in the time allowed in this contract, will move to the next level of participation with placement into competitive employment. Others will be expected to stay in school until completing their degree. Over the course of the year, the youth will participate in the following series of activities geared toward individual needs, skills and interests.

transition, skill building, youth with disabilities

Training Trainees, Performing Technical Assistance and/or Training, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information

Quality Assurance, Education & Early Intervention, Employment-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other

Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers

Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Urban

Single-County

N/A