NEW CASTLE (July 7, 2021) – The Division for the Visually Impaired’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services hosted “Blind and Socially Savvy,” a weeklong, overnight transition event from June 28 through July 2, 2021, at Delaware State University.

Eleven transition students from the Division for the Visually Impaired (DVI) participated in the event centered around building workplace readiness skills. Those skills included networking, using social media to make connections with employers, holding professional conversations, how to navigate formal meetings and conferences, and cane positions for community/social functions.

Workshops included:

• Dining Diagnostics – Blind & Socially Savvy Essentials, Connecting & Communicating Respect
• Basic Networking with Stranger – Blind & Socially Savvy Networker
• Informal Networking Over a Meal
• Out in the Community – Blind & Socially Savvy Community Leader
• Individual Wardrobe Consultations and Sizing – Blind & Socially Savvy Professional Image
• Informational Interview over Lunch – Blind & Socially Savvy Job Seeker
• Graduation, Formal Business Dining, and Presentation of Certificates

“The event was a tremendous success,” said Jamie Towns, Deputy Director for DVI, one of 11 divisions in the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). “The students who participated learned valuable skills that will prepare them for the workplace.”

Participants Matthew Love and Rhyne Taylor both highlighted the dining lessons they learned and the value they found in the experience.

“I learned about formal dining and how we can use it anywhere in the community,” Love said.

The “Blind and Socially Savvy” program is delivered through the International School of Protocol in Towson, Md. The school is a leader in providing etiquette training and consultation to enhance interpersonal skills and personal effectiveness in business and social relationships.

The Division for the Visually Impaired provides educational, vocational, and technical support to empower and foster independence for Delawareans with visual impairments. To learn more, visit DVI’s website: https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dvi/

NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR/DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

CONTACT
Sharon Boland
DOL Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
302.761.8238 (office) or 302.757.6260 (cell)
sharon.boland@delaware.gov
dvr.delawareworks.com
http://dol.delaware.gov/

CONFERENCE TO PREPARE HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS
WITH DISABILITIES FOR FUTURE CAREERS

Wilmington, DE, December 6, 2018 — On December 12th from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., hundreds of local high school students with disabilities will attend an all-day transition conference at the Dover Downs Hotel in Dover, DE, focusing on their future career and employment goals as well as learning what’s current in transition services for youth with disabilities in Delaware.

Transition services include career counseling, work-based learning opportunities, soft skills instruction and preparation for postsecondary choices leading to employment. Now in its 17th year, the “Transition and Self-Determination Conference” plays a key role in helping students with disabilities make informed choices
after high school by providing access to resources and employment information. This one day – parents, educators, vocational rehabilitation staff, and community organizations along with many other stakeholders – come together to provide resources to help students transition smoothly from school to post-secondary education and careers.

Self-determination and learning the importance networking and community participation in the transition planning process are key themes of the event. Self-determination is the process of taking control and making decisions that affect one’s life. The keynote presentation focuses on a mix of these themes and features the writer and cast from “Boundless! A Musical Journey,” a stage performance featuring Delawareans with disabilities based on a famous “Free Our People” March that took place in 2003.

The writer of the show, George Tilson, will facilitate a panel discussion with several of the performers from the show. They will share what they learned about self-determination, employability skills, and even career exploration through the audition process, improvisational workshops, and rehearsals, leading to performances in front of live audiences.

“All students, including those with disabilities need to develop a career pathway leading to successful employment,” said Delaware Department of Labor Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Director Andrea Guest. “The Transition Conference provides tools for self-advocacy and self-determination and the opportunity
for students to learn how to reach their career goals.”

The conference offers 25 workshops for students and adults shaped around the supportive nature of the transition community and important youth topics including employment, soft skills, sexuality, self-determination,
self-advocacy, leading your individualized education plan (IEP) meeting, and work-based learning. Sessions include, “Learn Job Expectations and How to Sustain Employment,” “Leading your IEP Meeting! It’s Important to You and Critical to Your Success,” “Shared Vision + Capacity Parents = Greater Student Outcomes,” and “Transition from High School to College: What Every Student Should Know.” Each workshop will be opened by a Youth Leader who will share their desired career path and what self-determination means to them.

The charge of the day is education, excitement, and empowerment. Participation and sharing are keys and
to facilitate this.

“This type of conference is very important so students learn before graduation about all of the resources available to them,” said DOL Cerron Cade. “Our state may be small in size but we have a tremendous amount of career planning and employment resources for people with disabilities.”

The conference is a collaborative effort between the Delaware Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR),
the Department of Education (DOE), Division for Visually Impaired (DVI), and the Division of Development Disabilities Services (DDDS) along with a variety of other agencies and organizations.

The Delaware Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is committed to providing individualized services to employers and people with disabilities, developing career pathways that link qualified employees to jobs, resulting in greater independence and a more inclusive workplace.

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THE DELAWARE DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND
THE STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL RECOGNIZES
THE VALUE OF WORKPLACE INCLUSION AT ITS ANNUAL RECOGNITION AWARDS LUNCHEON

Wilmington, DE, December 6, 2018 — The Delaware Department of Labor’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) will celebrate workplace inclusion by honoring the value and contribution of employees with disabilities and employers who hire them.

“Each year we are proud to honor businesses in our state that have created workplaces that are inclusive of employees from diverse backgrounds as well as those with disabilities,” said DVR Director Andrea Guest. “We also recognize employees with disabilities who have persevered and overcome barriers to achieve success in the workplace.”

Workplace inclusion is fostering a culture of diversity that includes hiring people with disabilities. Employers who create a culture of inclusion benefit from increased creativity and build diverse businesses that are prepared to face today’s challenges.

WHAT
2018 Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and State Rehabilitation Council
Annual Workplace Inclusion Recognition Awards Luncheon

WHEN
Monday, December 10th
11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

WHERE
Dover Downs Hotel – Ballroom A
Dover, Delaware 19903

The mission of the Delaware Department of Labor Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is to provide individualized services to employers and people with disabilities, developing career pathways that link qualified employees to jobs, resulting in greater independence and a more inclusive workplace. The State Rehabilitation Council is a consumer driven, Governor-appointed organization whose mission is to provide support and advice to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

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