VOCATIONAL TRAINING & LIFE SKILLS
Work-based experiences are your key to having a successful school-to-work transition. Career exploration includes the following: job shadowing, internships, unpaid volunteer experiences and paid employment.
There can be a job for everyone who wants one – regardless of the nature of disability, need for workplace accommodation or economic conditions in the community. In addition, effective job development is highly individualized and person-centered, based on youth skills, interests and need for support. Aspirations, skills and positive attributes of the job seeker must match the needs, expectations and workplace culture of the employer.
To help prepare for the work world, do the following: get to know the business community by researching and networking with employers; create an individualized job search plan; and enroll in a vocational program.
For more information, head over to our section on Employment.
“Greet all people with a smile.”
Miami Resources
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a federal-state program that helps people who have physical or mental disabilities get or keep a job. VR mission is to help people with disabilities find meaningful careers. They offer career counseling, financial assistance with tuition and job counseling.
Jewish Community Services of South Florida has a multitude of employment programs including services to help the deaf and hard-of-hearing, vocational training for individuals with developmental disabilities, employment services for the homeless (Project HOPE) and JWorks, a JCS career counseling service in partnership with Greater Miami Jewish Federation.
The Dan Marino Foundation (DMF) is a results-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons with autism or other developmental disabilities. Using innovative approaches to problem solving and leveraging the latest computer technologies, the DMF is creating unprecedented opportunities for the disability community. At the core of the Foundation’s initiatives is Marino Campus, an intensive 10-month post-secondary educational program to help young adults with autism or other developmental disabilities bridge the gap between high school and employment
United Community Options Transitional Learning Academy is a private school specifically designed to serve transitioning exceptional education students. The curriculum is individualized for each student with a focus on functional areas that will maximize the student’s independence as an adult. The goal is a successful transition with an appropriate combination of supports and services to maximize the student’s quality of life and independence. The school serves students ages 14-22.
Quick Links
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
Department of Labor
