Students with Disabilities Go High Tech

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Students with Disabilities Go High Tech

by Debbie Marsh

http://www.disaboom.com/education-general/students-with-disabilities-go-high-tec\

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High tech jobs pay well, but are people with disabilities ready to fill them?

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is working to make sure they

are with its High School/High Tech (HS/HT) program.

Designed as an enrichment program for high school students to provide activities

and develop career goals in high technology fields, HS/HT promotes science,

mathematics and other technological expertise. But it's not just your ordinary

classroom experience.

Establishing relationships with companies that generate or utilize technological

innovations is a key aspect of the program. As such, the National Aeronautics

and Space Administration (NASA) has been a major supporter of HS/HT and is

involved at several sites. All branches of high technology are welcome,

including cyber technology, bio-medical, solar, nuclear, hydrology, electronics

and many more.

Community involvement is another important aspect of HS/HT. Partnerships vary

based on the dynamics of the situation at the local level, but suggested

collaborators include Workforce Investment Boards, Vocational Rehabilitation

agencies, school systems, colleges and universities, disability service

providers, employers and families.

Four design features are integrated into every High School/High Tech

organization. These essential components ensure that youth with disabilities are

prepared in every way for a higher education experience that will lead to

employment.

• Preparatory Experience. Whether at the program site or educational

institution, a nurturing environment providing career assessment, opportunity

awareness, and computer skills will be provided.

• Connecting Activities (Program Linkages). Focusing on projects and services

that require support from other organizations and will enhance student

self-sufficiency, connecting activities include tutoring to improve academic

performance, assistive technology to address accommodation needs, mentoring and

transportation.

• Work-Based Experiences. These include every aspect of time spent by the

students with disabilities at the participating corporate or institutional place

of work. Site visits, job shadowing, internships, entrepreneurial ventures, and

paid employment are an essential component to promoting informed choice in high

tech jobs.

• Youth Development and Leadership. Supporting adults provide guidance for

developing independent decision-making skills, encouraging service learning, and

promoting the development of self-determination and self-advocacy skills.

Created in 1983 by a task force of Los Angeles executives who wanted qualified

employees for high tech jobs and admired the loyalty, productivity and

dependability of people with disabilities, High School/High Tech has since

spread across the country. Today, more than 60 project sites model the latest

research to ready students with disabilities for the working world.