October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. As many of us know, employment is a hot topic these days. Whether the concern is about the state of the economic climate for college graduates, available jobs for working class families or seniors reaching retirement age, the concerns abound. And there is no greater community effected by the economy and job availability than those with disabilities. Twenty years after the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities is nearly double that of those without disabilities. In response to this very issue, the state of Maryland has taken great strides to support employment for people with disabilities including focusing on supporting youth with disabilities in the transition (to work or school) process.
This year, the Governor’s Interagency Transition Council has put together a groundbreaking conference, Mapping Futures, for families, students, counselors and more to explore ways to better support school-aged students who are transitioning into work or post-secondary education. The Mapping Futures conference, being held in Ocean City, Maryland on October 16-17, will cover a variety of pertinent topics including benefits counseling, community based assessments, and enhancing advocacy.
And even if you miss the conference, there’s still much to glean from the Maryland Transitioning Youth website, including transition planning, employment and health services, and information on upcoming local transition fairs!
