VPT Online: Public Square: Youth and Disability

PUBLIC SQUARE is a VPT initiative addressing issues of concern to Vermonters. Mixing documentary footage, thoughtful insight, in-depth panel discussions and more, we’ll keep you informed about local events and issues that affect your lives.

Youth and Disability

Wed., Oct. 18, 7:30 pm
Rebroadcast: Sun., Oct. 29, 4 pm

This Public Square special explores the topic of young people with disabilities making the transition to adult life.

The program will feature a video report from the recent Governor's Summit on the Employment of People with Disabilities and will focus on such challenges as higher education, employment and independent living.

Joining host Fran Stoddard will be panelists Hugh Bradshaw, executive director of VABIR, the Vermont Association of Business, Industry and Rehabilitation; and Blanche Podhajski, director of the Stern Center, a direct services agency whose goal is the identification and instruction of learning needs, professional development and research.

Community Resources for Job Seekers,
Parents and Employers

Disability Mentoring Day
802-656-1345, Ext. 1

Disability Mentoring Day™ is a large-scale, broad-based effort designed to promote career development for students and other job seekers with disabilities (mentees) through hands-on career exploration, job shadowing, internship or employment opportunities, and matching of mentee/mentor relationships. Disability Mentoring Day: Career Development for the 21st Century, was commemorated on October 18, 2006 as the official kick-off for a year-round effort.

The Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
802-434-6600, Ext. 2

The Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities promotes equal access to employment for Vermonters with disabilities.

Parent to Parent of Vermont
1-800-800-4005

Parent to Parent of Vermont is a statewide organization that helps families with children with special needs find support from other parents, health care professionals and the communities in which they live.

Stern Center
1-800-544-4863

The Stern Center is a nonprofit literacy center dedicated to helping children and adults with learning differences reach their full potential. Programs offered include direct service, professional development and research programs.

Vermont Association of Business, Industry and Rehabilitation (VABIR)
802-878-1107

VABIR works to increase the employment of people with disabilities by matching job seekers with employers in Vermont.

Vermont Business Leadership Network
1-800-639-2909

The Vermont Business Leadership Network strives to increase the employment and promotion of Vermonters with disabilities through education, resources, forums and networking. The Network is an initiative led by Vermont employers to attract, hire, retain and promote qualified individuals.

Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights (VCDR)
802-223-6140 (Voice/TTY)

The mission of VCDR is to advance the human and civil rights of people with disabilities to ensure full and equal participation in all aspects of community life and the political process.

Vermont Parent Information Center (VPIC)
1-800-639-7170

VPIC is a statewide network of support and information for families of children, birth to 26 years, with special needs or disabilities, and for the professionals who work with them.

VocRehab Vermont
1-866-VRWORKS, 1-866-879-6757 (Voice/TTY)
802-241-1455 (TTY Next Talk)

VocRehab Vermont is dedicated to facilitating successful, long-term relationships between employers and people with disabilities. Services for job seekers include benefits counseling and Career Start, a program that explores model approaches to create a community-wide system of inclusion, support and engagement for school age youth with disabilities.

Return to PUBLIC SQUARE homepage