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.
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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.
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Locally, we see more than 220 participants each year and are always looking to expand participation with more students and employers.
In 2023, Disability Mentoring Day will be October 18, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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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.