Lead The Way provides curriculum instruction and hands-on experience that increases students’ access and participation in education and the local workforce. Students are prepared to meet the needs of the local labor market. We incorporate design features that are based upon research into what youth with disabilities can do to prepare for themselves for a successful future. All of the activities and events fit into the following four design features:
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Basic Literacy/Information & Computer Technology: The focus is on services and activities requiring support such as tutoring to improve basic skills, homework help to increase academic performance, assistive technology to address accommodation needs, career assessments, and computer skills training & certification.
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Transition Activities: This feature examines the connecting activities necessary to assist participants' transition to their next phase in life - one that will hopefully provide for economic self-sufficiency. Activities will include information on Social Security Benefits, transportation, accessing medical care/services, banking services, and housing.
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Work Readiness Skills: Work-based experiences include a range of activities that build up to on-the-job experiences. These include training opportunities, site visits, job shadowing, internships, entrepreneurial ventures, and paid employment. Such experiences are an essential component to promoting informed choice in post-secondary options and careers.
Leadership & Self-advocacy: These youth development and leadership activities will help young people become self-sufficient and productive members of society. This design feature includes providing supportive adults, opportunities for developing independent decision-making skills, encouraging service learning, and promoting the development of self-determination and self-advocacy skills.
Specific learning experiences include:
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Tutoring (math, reading & writing) and homework help
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Information & computer technology skills training and certification
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Youth development and leadership opportunities – advisory council, leadership retreats, self-advocacy workshop, and other service and developmental projects
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Classroom and hands-on training (construction, computers, entrepreneurial, etc)
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College and university visits, campus visits and recruiter-led classroom presentations discussing the post-secondary education experience and resources of the educational facility with special emphasis on the Office of Disability Services.
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Job shadowing — students observing professionals at work.
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Workshops — guest speakers from professional associations providing career information and life experience sharing.
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Paid summer employment — placing students in an eight-week work environment.
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Disability awareness workshops — providing information about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).