Great Lakes ADA Center's Blog (27)

Disney Professional Internships Starting Fall 2019

This position provides technical support for the implementation and sustainment of Disney developed Assistive Technology services for Guests with Disabilities at the Walt Disney World Resort. The Assistive Technology services are Assistive Listening, Handheld Captioning, Video Captioning, Reflective Captioning, and Audio Description Partner and interact with various…

NextGen Leaders are college students and recent graduates with disabilities who have demonstrated talent and leadership to be attractive applicants for Fortune 500 roles, particularly in the STEM, finance and business fields. NextGen Leaders participate in two programs: Mentorship Exchange and the Talent Accelerator. Both are career development programs that connect NextGen Leaders with corporate partners. These programs are sponsored by…

The American Association for Persons with Disabilities (AAPD) is offering two internships to work within the information technology (IT) departments of federal agencies. The federal IT summer interns will be matched with a mentor who will assist them with their career goals. Interns will also be provided with a living stipend, transportation to and from Washington D.C., and fully accessible housing.  The 2019 program will run from the beginning of June to…

Georgia Tech’s Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA) is conducting a study improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities, outcomes such as job satisfaction and job retention.



The study is focused on Universal Design. Universal Design is the design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size, ability or…

Congratulations to Sandy Adkins! Thank you to everyone who completed a Punch-In user survey, your input is very important as we make efforts to improve our resources. 

Sandy Adkins, Ed.D. is the Transition Coordinator at Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, Illinois.  While Dr.…

Thank you for being a part of Punch-In! We are seeking your feedback. Please take a few minutes to complete this user survey and be entered in a chance to win a $50 gift card from Amazon.

Your input is greatly appreciated!

Link to…

Summer is now upon us and with that you may be wondering whether to pause or delay your job search. Or maybe you just need a little extra motivation in the process. Many people do halt their job searches over the summer, so it's actually a good time to keep yourself in the game and get the automatic edge of being active.

As you enjoy the summer sunshine, here are some ways Punch-In can help keep you going to…

This article reprinted with permission from Minnesota Public Radio…

The World Economic Forum, established in 1971, is an international thought leader in economic analysis and engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

In their recent report, Eight Futures of Work: Scenarios and their Implications they present various possible visions of what the future of work might…

Customized employment is a flexible process designed to personalize the employment relationship between a job candidate and an employer in a way that meets the needs of both. It is based on an individualized match between the strengths, conditions, and interests of a job candidate and the identified business needs of an employer. Customized Employment utilizes an individualized approach to employment planning and job development. one person at a time and one employer at a…

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

By Jennie Delisi

Why Did You Choose that Word?

So many words, some with similar meanings – why do we need to be specific? Accessibility, features in apps that may assist people with disabilities, assistive technology, accommodations…these words are often used interchangeably, but they are not necessarily the same.

Technology has made huge gains in supporting individuals with disabilities to be more independent but not all of us have kept up with the current…

Consider applying to the Leadership Institute Retreat. 

The Leadership Institute seeks emerging leaders with disabilities who meet the following criteria:

• 5 -10 years of management and/or leadership experience demonstrated in one or a combination of professional, civic or community service contexts.…

Join us in celebrating the Americans with Disabilities Act and reaffirming Disability Rights!

Wednesday, July 26, 201 7 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Come for some or all of the events

• 1:00 Gathering & orientation at the MN…

When I talk with my friends who have disabilities about what’s important in a career or job, flexibility is usually one of their top priorities. DiversityInc, a web-based publication dedicated to workplace diversity, listed the top companies for flexibility and options for people with disabilities, offering a great resource for Punch-In job seekers looking to find part-time, freelance, temporary, and other options for work flexibility.

Here are the companies they listed that offer…

The Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) at the Department of Education maintains a resume bank from which candidates may be selected for consideration to fill vacancies for positions in OCR as they arise. OCR accepts resumes from individuals who are eligible for consideration for noncompetitive hiring via:  Schedule A Persons with Disabilities appointments (5 CFR 213.3102(u)); Veterans’ Recruitment Appointments; former Peace Corps and Americorps appointees (22 USC…

Microsoft is trying to tap into the employment potential of individuals on the autism spectrum. They have plans underway to hire individuals with autism for full-time positions at their headquarters and satellite branches. Microsoft said it will work with Specialisterne, a nonprofit that focuses on helping people with the disabilities apply their talents to work in the technology fields.…

Apprenticeship is a growing strategy for connecting more workers with the skills they need to get jobs. Apprenticeship program are a trending and proven solution for employers, giving them the tools they need to recruit, train, and retain skilled workers. By combining a job with on-the-job learning and credential attainment there have been successful employment outcomes for young adults with disabilities.

Apprenticeships are available in a wide range of fields, including traditional…

Americans with disabilities can face many unnecessary barriers to employment, both during the job application process and on the job.  These barriers can prevent people with disabilities from finding and maintaining a job, receiving promotions and ultimately being economically self-sufficient and independent. 

During the job application process, applicants with disabilities may not want to disclose their disabilities to potential employers for a number of reasons, including the risk…