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Hi Jennifer and All,

We have worked for a couple of years building a volunteer program of
students with disabilities by working with a few local job skills training
programs in our area public schools.  This year we have moved on to hiring
several of the same students.

The job training programs are a great connection and resource, because you
get to work with students who usually come to you with a job coach and a
host of other caregivers involved in the school system.  As I'm sure most
everyone has experienced, I feel I have less and less time to give the
amount of attention I'd like to give to new team members and volunteers.
Working with students through school programs gives me sort of a
"co-supervisor" to work with.  We've been able to identify students'
strengths and skills and create roles that are most appropriate.  Job
descriptions so far have been sort of modified versions of existing roles,
depending on how a person's particular abilities fit with our programs.

I would also recommend building a relationship with any community agencies
around you that do the same sort of thing - advocacy, programming, and
training for persons with disabilities.  You will find connections for
hiring, as well as free consulting services about accessibility and working
with employees with disabilities.

Good luck!

Alison Melby
Visitor Programs Supervisor
COSI Toledo
1 Discovery Way
Toledo, OH 43604
419-244-2674 ext.116
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-----Original Message-----
From: Jennifer Correa [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2005 11:42 AM
Subject: Hiring front line staff with disabilities


ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
****************************************************************************
*

Hi Everyone,
We recently started hiring students with disabilities to work as
Explainers on the exhibit floor. I would like to find out about how
other institutions are employing people with disabilities as front line
staff. How did you get them to apply? What is their job description?
How are you dealing with any issues?

Thanks!

Jennifer Correa
New York Hall of Science
Manager of Explainers
47-01 111th Street
Flushing Meadows Corona Park, NY 11368
ph. 718.699.0005 ext. 345
fax. 718.699.1341
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