Disability Mentoring Day
Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) is a national program that promotes career development for students and job seekers with disabilities through job shadowing and hands-on career exploration. It is designed to empower students and job seekers with disabilities, promote a diverse workplace, and assist employers with recruiting new talent. DMD is held annually on the third Wednesday in October and is a great way for the community to get involved in our work at Beyond Barriers.
Originally called National Disability Mentoring Day, this program was started at the White House in 1999 as a way to help facilitate employment for people with disabilities and has grown to include programs in all 50 states and several foreign countries.
Locally, we see more than 220 participants each year and are always looking to expand participation with more students and employers.
Click here to see a recap of 2022 DMD made by a teacher at Hutchinson High School.
Firefighter teaches DMD participant how to use a fire hose.
DMD participants learn what animals eat while cutting up vegetables at the Hutchinson Zoo.
DMD participants learn what it's like to work as a police officer.
Firefighter teaches DMD participant how to use a fire hose.
Objectives:
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Increase internship and employment opportunities for people with disabilities
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Dispel employers’ fears about hiring people with disabilities
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Promote disability as a central part of diversity recruitment for a more inclusive workforce
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Serve as a launching point for year-round efforts to foster more career–oriented mentoring opportunities
Our local community partner steering committee helps us:
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Recruit high school students/mentees with disabilities for a day of career exploration
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Locate employers/mentors to mentor the students
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Arrange transportation for students to and from work
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Organize the mentor/mentee breakfast and reception.