New service learning opportunities for youth
with disabilities
TransCen (www.transcen.org) has initiated a project in Maryland
to engage youth with disabilities in service learning opportunities,
including collecting oral histories from veterans with disabilities
for the national Veterans History Project. TransCen was selected
to lead this project in Maryland because of its track record of
successful work with youth with disabilities, its connection to
veterans' employment programs, and the service learning requirement
for graduation in Maryland where TransCen is headquartered.
The new program will target youth ages 14 to 21. Service learning
programs are greatly beneficial to students with disabilities,
who may have limited access to early work experience and opportunities
in their community. Such experiences are crucial to helping students
identify career options and transition to adult life.
The added benefit of the project is that it will pair youth with
disabilities and veterans with disabilities which will offer exceptional
mentoring opportunities. Youth will have the opportunity to learn
from veterans who have dealt with similar issues as they prepare
for employment and careers. Collecting the oral histories of veterans
will also contribute to documenting the diverse stories of the
important service to the country by the nation's veterans. This
type of mentoring can help students develop self-determination
and self advocacy abilities in addition to greater communication
skills.
"This will provide a significant opportunity for youth
to not only meet the service learning requirements of graduation
in Maryland, but it will also contribute to career and employment
development, not to mention the benefits accrued from documenting
the important stories of veterans," said TransCen President, Richard
Luecking.
TransCen is implementing the project in collaboration
with partners at Indiana University and the University of Vermont
who are implementing similar activities in their respective states.
The Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University
is leading the project. More information on the project can be
obtained from the project director in Maryland, LaVerne Buchanan,
lbuchanan@transcen.org
