DES Vocational Rehabilitation Program Empowers Student to Become the Teacher
When Sally Whelan became a participant in the Transition School to Work Program (TSW), she was anxious and unsure of what options would be available to her following high school. But as she participated in the program, Sally quickly gained confidence, and afterward had the opportunity to share her success with AZ Family in recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).
The TSW program is a part of the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program. It helps high school students with disabilities like Sally, prepare for successful integration into the workforce after graduation.
Sally watched as her classmates began exploring colleges and knew she was ready for more independence, so the brave sophomore chose to participate in the career track of TSW program. Through her TSW classes, Sally learned how to interview, write a resume, navigate transportation as it relates to employment, interact in a professional setting, and request the on-the-job accommodations she needs to be successful. She said that VR taught her how to increase her advocacy skills and understand that there are many different ways to approach a job.
First, Sally’s VR counselor helped her obtain employment as a daycare assistant. The next summer, she continued her growth as a participant in a subprogram of Diverse Ability Incorporated called the Arizona Youth Leadership Forum. Sally found this experience highly impactful as it allowed her to immerse herself among other young people with disabilities. She developed a strong passion for advocating for people with disabilities, became a mentor to her peers, and was elected to the forum's leadership board.
Sally credits the programs for helping her to feel empowered as she entered adulthood. She says she now understands how to speak up for her needs in the workplace, adding that, “VR helped me to learn how to develop scripts when reaching out to others. This has helped to decrease my anxiety.”
Eventually, Sally returned to school and earned a certification in Disability Studies. Throughout it all, she remained a dedicated VR client.
Today, Sally continues to be an advocate and mentor for other young people with disabilities while simultaneously working in her dream job as an Instructional Assistant in a special education classroom at an elementary school.
Sally recommends that high school students with disabilities connect with their school guidance counselor or the VR program to help them determine their end goals and provide them with the necessary resources to achieve them.
According to Sally, “VR is not only empowering, but it’s educational as well. They help people of all ages and show you that anything is possible.”
DES proudly recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October and the many benefits of including people with disabilities in Arizona’s workforce. To learn more about the DES VR program, visit the Vocational Rehabilitation website.