The Springfield City School District is proud to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). The annual awareness campaign aims to educate people about disability employment issues and bring to light the many contributions of America's workers with disabilities.
This dedication to inclusion and education is illustrated by the District's High School Transition Program, which currently prepares students with disabilities to enter the workforce. Students in this program begin their freshman year by exploring a wide range of careers in the Practical Assessment Exploration System (PAES) Lab and learning basic employability skills. As students get closer to graduation, they work to narrow their career interests. At the junior and senior level, students work in a specific field of interest.
This year, students enrolled in the program are interning at Villa Springfield Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center three days a week with the supervision of a mentor, as well as a teacher and paraprofessional. Students assist Villa staff by cleaning resident rooms and communal areas, folding laundry, playing games with residents in the activity center and assisting with basic resident needs.
“Internship opportunities, like those at Villa allow students with disabilities to be engaged, encouraged, and empowered to reach their full potential,” said SCSD Transition Coordinator, Kelli Liebherr. “We believe in the power of inclusion through our District vision, One Community: Inclusive. Compelled. Future Ready. By supporting inclusive employment opportunities, we open doors for all individuals to learn, grow, and thrive—together.”