An Overview
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The Education for Employment Improvement Project began as a
cooperative partnership between the Office of Career and Technical Education Services,
Virginia Department of Education and the Department of Occupational and Technical Studies,
Old Dominion University. Other contributors included the Virginia Association of
Vocational Education Special Needs Personnel (VAVESNP), the Virginia Career and Technical
Education Resource Center, and the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS).
With the termination of funding in support of this project from the Virginia Department of
Education, it continues on a limited basis by Old Dominion University's Department of
Occupational and Technical Studies and the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative
Services. The purpose of this project continues to be to improve vocational special
needs programs in Virginia.
The Education for
Employment Program
The primary purpose of the Education for Employment
Program is to help students develop independent living skills,
technical knowledge, and work attitudes. Education for Employment provides students
opportunities to meet realistic goals based on their interests, abilities, achievement
levels, aptitudes, and special needs. The emphasis is on developing good
work attitudes and gain experience that will translate into efficient and
effective workers.
Project Activities
So far this project has planned and hosted
state-wide professional development conferences, assisted in the development of an
improved curriculum, planned and conducted regional workshops on transition
to work or to college, cooperative work experience, and assistive
technology. We have developed an Education for employment Instructional Resource Manual, helped
establish and facilitate the Education for Employment Leadership Council, developed a
partnership with the Department of Rehabilitative Services, and provided encouragement and
advise to the Virginia Association of Vocational Education Special Needs Personnel
(VAVESNP).
Current Activities
- Say YES to College, a college
transition program for students with disabilities will be hosted at the Old Dominion
University campus on
May, 2012. High school students with disabilities who are planning to secure a
two- or four- year college degree are invited to apply. Applicants must be current high
school sophomores, juniors, or seniors pursuing an Advanced Studies, Standard, or Modified
Standard Diploma, or students of high school age seeking a GED. Participation is limited
to 50 students. This is a cooperative program between the regional
school systems, area colleges, T/TACs at the College of Wiliam and Mary
and Old Dominion University, and the Department of Rehabilitative
Services.
- VATS-SE has instituted an
assistive technology training program for DRS client
that will provide AT utilization training on specific Assistive technology as recommended
as part of the DRS assessment process.
- Operate a regional
assistive technology demonstration site on the campus of Old Dominion University. The demonstration lab is
open normally Mondays through Fridays to people who make appointments to try out selected
available AT devices. A trained technician was available to assist them with the devices.
- Developed and conducted four
regional CottonEcology workshops, an educational program specifically for high school and college
students of textiles, fashion merchandising and related fields, about cotton fiber and its
properties as a renewable, recyclable and sustainable fiber.
The project was funded by Cotton, Inc and directed by Sharon R. Davis,
Senior Lecturer, Department of Occupational and Technical studies.
Assistive Technology Initiative
Additional services have been offered in collaboration with
the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services by establishing the Virginia Assistive
Technology -- Southeast Office. VATS-SE provides outreach services to
persons with disabilities who need assistance in their workplace or home. The office
provides information on low interest loans for equipment, devices, and
modifications to homes and vehicles. It builds collaborative activities with schools,
civic organizations, government agencies, and others interested in assisting people with
disabilities to develop and maintain productive independent lives. And
we are active participants in regional and state conferences that serve the
disabled.
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