2021 DB Symposium - Pre-empolyment Strategies

Poor post-school outcomes for students who are deaf-blind has been a serious problem for many years. Most youth are unemployed, living at home with parents, and socially isolated. Gaining employment is one of the most important early milestones of adulthood for all youth, but is often difficult for those with significant disabilities, including individuals who are deaf-blind. Because studies have found that paid work experiences are consistently associated with employment after exiting the school system, they are a key goal for students, their families, and transition teams. Customized employment, a process that personalizes the relationship between an employee and employer in a way that meets the needs of both, is a useful strategy for making this happen. Join Mike Fagbemi to learn more about the National Center for Deaf-Blindness Transition Initiative and strategies that are proving successful in leading to positive employment outcomes for individuals who are deafblind.