Students with disabilities don’t have to wait until they finish high school to get a job. Many students work part-time in high school and can get a job if they are ready to work. Students who work in high school often have higher chances for working when they graduate.
(From TennesseeWorks)
Potential Avenues for Youth to Gain Career-Related Experiences
- Touring local businesses and workplaces
- Listening to guest speakers talk about what employers look for
- Participating in a short-term job shadowing experience
- Taking part in Disability Mentoring Day
- Attending a job fair
- Getting involved in a school or community Career Day
- Connecting to a mentor in your preferred profession
- Participating in a summer internship
- Taking part in an apprenticeship
- Helping with a youth-run business
- Getting involved in service-learning or volunteer projects
- Participating in community-based job training
- Enrolling in the school’s work study program
- Securing an after-school or summer job
EMP 101: What We All Need to Know About Transition for Students with Significant Disabilities
Work Early, Work Often video series
Understanding Volunteering
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability
Get the Job…Keep the Job! Video