Disability Mentoring Day

Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) is a large-scale national effort coordinated by AAPD to promote career development for students and job-seekers with disabilities through career exploration and ongoing mentoring relationships.

While DMD has been and continues to be officially launched the third Wednesday of each October during National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), the foundation of the program has expanded from a one-day event to a year-round initiative across the country.

DMD was founded in 1999 through a White House initiative with less than three-dozen students participating to increase the awareness of NDEAM. Since that event, DMD has springboarded from a one day event for a small group of students to an extensive national mentoring program for young professionals with disabilities across the United States, territories, and abroad.

The growth of DMD is made possible by the unwavering work of DMD Coordinators across the country who volunteer their time to host and manage the logistical requirements for local and regional programs. These events produce life changing results for mentees, such as full time employment and internship opportunities.  AAPD continues to increase the reach of DMD through growing its network of DMD coordinators. If you or anyone you know may be interested or want additional information on becoming a DMD coordinator, please email us at dmd@aapd.com.

 

Please view this DMD Toolkit to learn more about Disability Mentoring Day and gain tips on virtual events, job shadowing, media outreach and more.


AAPD 2021 Fall Virtual Career & Internship Fair


Thursday, October 28, 2021 2:00 PM – 4:30PM EST | AAPD 
Purpose: Calling all high school and college students with disabilities!

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) invites you to our 2021 Virtual Career and Internship Fair where participants have the unique opportunity to connect with companies who are excited to give the 411 on their mission, services, and disability inclusion practices. During this fair, company representatives will present one at a time to give a brief presentation on their company and will be followed by a question and answer (Q&A) session from the audience. Company presentations will include:
·       Company’s mission and purpose
·       Company’s inclusive practices and ideology
·       Sponsored professional development workshops, trainings, or job vacancies
·       Company representatives contact information for post-event follow-up

AAPD aims to connect job seekers with disabilities to businesses that are committed to a more inclusive workforce.  To stay up to date on the participating company line-up, and to gain access to the online platform on the event date, register for the event here.  

*The deadline to register for this event is 5PM EST on Monday, October 25*

 

Upcoming Events

 

Disability Employment Workshop

Saturday, October 16, 2021 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM EST | Hosted by The Dopson Foundation
Online Platform: Zoom

Career Readiness and Professional Development:

  • 45min Resu (ME) –  How to create a WINNING resume.
  • 45min Job coaching –  Tips on how to land and keeping your DREAM position.

Learn more and register here. 

 

Disability Mentoring Day Virtual Reception

Monday, October 18, 2021 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM EST | Hosted by Bender Leadership Academy
Online Platform: Microsoft Teams

Event details: The virtual reception is celebrating the Kickoff of Disability Mentoring Day in Pittsburgh. Invited guests include students with disabilities, disability community leaders, business leaders, student speakers, sponsor speakers, and our featured speaker.

The event coordinator is looking to engage: Mentors, Employers to support the event 

If interested in being a mentor or employer presenter, contact Scott Mammerstrom at Scott Hammerstrom at shammerstrom@benderleadership.org

 

Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) with EARN!

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Hosted by EARN

Disability-inclusive workplaces don’t just happen. You need commitment and buy-in across all levels of an organization to ensure that your workplace is accessible to and inclusive of people with disabilities. Careful planning and ongoing support will help your organization attract and retain employees with disabilities.

On Wednesday, October 20, 2021, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET, join EARN and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) for the webinar, “Disability-Inclusive Workplace Culture: Building it to Last.” Learn how leading companies build and sustain disability-inclusive cultures and how your organization can apply these lessons to build a stronger, more inclusive workplace as you recover from the pandemic.

Speakers:

  • Jim Sinocchi, Managing Director, Global Office of Disability Inclusion, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
  • Vani Seshadri, Vice President, Global Inclusion & Diversity, Accenture

Participation is free, but space is limited. Register today to save your spot!

Please note that real time captioning and ASL interpretation will be provided, but you may request additional accommodations when registering.

Discover Your Career at the National Institutes of Health 

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Hosted by AAPD

In the spirit of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) NIH invites you to virtually meet NIH representatives for an informational session to discuss:

  • Overview of NIH
  • Summer Internships with the Nation’s largest biomedical research facility
  • How to apply for federal positions
  • Gain federal resume writing tips
  • Learn about the Schedule A hiring authority
  • Tips for navigating USA.gov

*This session is for high school and college students, and recent grads with disabilities*

Register for this information session here.  

American Sign Language and real-time captioning will be provided.  If you would like to request additional accommodation services, please let us know by emailing your request to dmd@aapd.com

 

Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs Awards Gala 

Thursday, October 21, 2021 6:00 PM EST | Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs® (NBT)
Location: Manzo’s Banquets, 1571 Elmhurst Road Des Plaines, IL

Event description: Join Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs® (NBT) on this extraordinary occasion to honor some of the finest champions of manufacturing. During this fun-filled celebration, we’ll applaud those who share their passion for manufacturing and hear uplifting stories of the progress NBT is making to build tomorrow’s skilled manufacturing workforce. Gather with friends and colleagues during dinner, bid on unique artwork in the live and silent auction, show off your moves on the dance floor, and enjoy an evening of revelry in support of the NBT Foundation.
Proceeds of the Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs Awards Gala directly support the summer manufacturing camp grants and scholarship programs of NBT.

Formal Attire | Black Tie Optional

Learn more and reserve your spot here. 

Looking to engage: Mentors, Employers and event participants 

Have questions?: Contact Daunel Czarnecki at 815-227-8222 or daunelc@fmanet.org

 

Federal Policy Priorities on Disability Employment: NDEAM 2021 and Beyond

Wednesday, November 10, 2021 1:00 PM EST | RespectAbility
Online Platform: Zoom

19 months into the COVID-19 pandemic and 10 months into the Biden Administration, it is worth taking time to reflect on how the employment landscape has been transformed for workers with disabilities. The federal government is actively working to capitalize on the accessibility gains made by remote work and striving to implement policies to promote the safety of workers in diverse sectors of the economy. This webinar will feature a host of VIP federal leaders reflecting on their work, their priorities and their hopes for the months ahead. As we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we look to these leaders for their reflections on how to link greater inclusion, diversity and equity to the economic recovery of America.  

Register here.

 

Get Involved

Disability Mentoring Day Toolkit

 

AAPD has developed a DMD Toolkit for coordinators interested in engaging with Disability Mentoring Day and starting their own event. The toolkit contains an FAQ section, factors to keep in mind when organizing an event, where to find mentors, media outreach, and so much more. If there are any questions that may not be covered in this resource, please feel free to email us at dmd@aapd.com. 

 

Disability Mentoring Day Events

Due to the growing uncertainty around the novel coronavirus, AAPD strongly encourages DMD coordinators to shift their events online.  The safety of our participants is our number one priority as we approach an unpredictable cold and flu season.  Based on a recent CDC report, as of September 8, 2020, the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. rose above 6 million and has resulted in over 188,000 deaths.  This is especially alarming for people with disabilities, who may be at a greater risk of contracting and experiencing health complications due to this virus.  For an up-to-date tracker of the COVID-19 cases,  you may visit the  Center for Disease Control  website here.

Details on DMD events can be found here. 

DMD Coordinators

 

DMD Coordinators are the volunteers that make Disability Mentoring Day possible each year all around the country. Coordinators are responsible for setting up DMD events in their community and making connections between students with disabilities, job seekers with disabilities, high schools, colleges and universities, local/state disability organizations, and businesses. Events take many different shapes and forms around the country depending on the volunteer coordinator and the needs of the local community, but include job shadowing, one-on-one mentoring, panel discussions, professional development workshops, informational interviews, and more. We’ve received countless stories from DMD coordinators on the profound difference this one day can have for young people with disabilities, including leading to their first paid internship or job.

If you are interested in volunteering as a Disability Mentoring Day Coordinator please complete the online application form below. If you have any questions please email dmd@aapd.com.

 

Mentors and Mentees

 

AAPD has an extensive list of active DMD coordinators across the country that we can share with potential participants interested in becoming a DMD mentee or mentor as well as businesses and organizations looking to help host and/or sponsor a DMD. If interested, please email us at DMD@aapd.com.

 

Businesses and Organizations

 

Whether it’s through serving as sponsors, event hosts, or mentors, corporations, local businesses, government agencies, and other organizations have been the driving force for moving the success of DMD forward. To learn more about the opportunities to have your organization get involved with DMD in a local community, please email us at DMD@aapd.com.

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The AAPD power button logo with text "DMD - Disability Mentoring Day"

Disability Mentoring Resources

 

Disability Mentoring Day Sponsors

Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) is a large-scale national effort coordinated by AAPD to promote career development for students and job-seekers with disabilities through career exploration and ongoing mentoring relationships.

While DMD has been and continues to be officially launched the third Wednesday of each October during National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), the foundation of the program has expanded from a one-day event to a year-round initiative across the country.

DMD was founded in 1999 through a White House initiative with less than three-dozen students participating to increase the awareness of NDEAM. Since that event, DMD has springboarded from a one day event for a small group of students to an extensive national mentoring program for young professionals with disabilities across the United States, territories, and abroad.

The growth of DMD is made possible by the unwavering work of DMD Coordinators across the country who volunteer their time to host and manage the logistical requirements for local and regional programs. These events produce life changing results for mentees, such as full time employment and internship opportunities.  AAPD continues to increase the reach of DMD through growing its network of DMD coordinators. If you or anyone you know may be interested or want additional information on becoming a DMD coordinator, please email us at dmd@aapd.com.

 

AAPD 2021 Virtual Career and Internship Fair 

On Thursday April 1 from 2-5pm ET, AAPD is hosting a virtual career and internship fair. High school and college students can use this as an opportunity to network and connect with business that are committed to inclusion. Attendees will also be able to get an idea of the types of workplaces they may want to join based on the company presentations. Stay tuned for more details. 

 

Upcoming Events

My Employment Options Job Fair

The My Employment Options is hosting their next Online Job Fair event on Wednesday, September 15th! 
Their event can help with diversity hiring!  Early bird discounts are going on for employers.  Job seekers attend Free! Key Points of the Fair:  

  • W2 Employers can feature Work at Home and/or Onsite jobs – in any state! 
  • Each employer has a private chat room – they can run the chat room as they would like.
  • Employers are exposed to a very diverse candidate pool that includes Ticket to Work clients on SSDI or SSI and the USA general public.    
  • A great way for recruiters to network online with candidates from across the country. 
  • Job seekers can network with recruiters and learn about Work at Home or Onsite jobs. 

14th Annual Transition Fair  

 

Get Involved

Disability Mentoring Day Toolkit


AAPD has developed a DMD Toolkit for coordinators interested in engaging with Disability Mentoring Day and starting their own event. The toolkit contains an FAQ section, factors to keep in mind when organizing an event, where to find mentors, media outreach, and so much more. If there are any questions that may not be covered in this resource, please feel free to email us at dmd@aapd.com. 

Disability Mentoring Day Events

Due to the growing uncertainty around the novel coronavirus, AAPD strongly encourages DMD coordinators to shift their events online.  The safety of our participants is our number one priority as we approach an unpredictable cold and flu season.  Based on a recent CDC report, as of September 8, 2020, the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. rose above 6 million and has resulted in over 188,000 deaths.  This is especially alarming for people with disabilities, who may be at a greater risk of contracting and experiencing health complications due to this virus.  For an up-to-date tracker of the COVID-19 cases,  you may visit the  Center for Disease Control  website here.

Details on DMD events can be found here. 

DMD Coordinators

DMD Coordinators are the volunteers that make Disability Mentoring Day possible each year all around the country. Coordinators are responsible for setting up DMD events in their community and making connections between students with disabilities, job seekers with disabilities, high schools, colleges and universities, local/state disability organizations, and businesses. Events take many different shapes and forms around the country depending on the volunteer coordinator and the needs of the local community, but include job shadowing, one-on-one mentoring, panel discussions, professional development workshops, informational interviews, and more. We’ve received countless stories from DMD coordinators on the profound difference this one day can have for young people with disabilities, including leading to their first paid internship or job.


If you are interested in volunteering as a Disability Mentoring Day Coordinator please complete the online application form below. If you have any questions please email dmd@aapd.com.

Mentors and Mentees


AAPD has an extensive list of active DMD coordinators across the country that we can share with potential participants interested in becoming a DMD mentee or mentor as well as businesses and organizations looking to help host and/or sponsor a DMD. If interested, please email us at DMD@aapd.com.


Businesses and Organizations

Whether it’s through serving as sponsors, event hosts, or mentors, corporations, local businesses, government agencies, and other organizations have been the driving force for moving the success of DMD forward. To learn more about the opportunities to have your organization get involved with DMD in a local community, please email us at DMD@aapd.com.

The AAPD power button logo with text "DMD - Disability Mentoring Day"

Disability Mentoring Resources

Disability Mentoring Day Sponsors

Our Sponsors

AT&T
Bender Consulting Services
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
National Structured Settlements Trade Association