Page 41 - 2022 May Report

Resilience
Perkins School report
Career Launch @ Perkins
Spring 2022 Update
Submitted May 9, 2022 to Johnson Scholarship Foundation
Program Overview
With the support of the Johnson Scholarship Foundation we have successfully implemented Career Launch, an innovative job training and career services program which addresses the chronic high rates of unemployment among people with blindness or visual impairment.
Since the program began in 2019, we have gained important insights into the complex challenges young adults with blindness and visual impairments (BVI) face as they seek competitive employment. Career Launch’s strategy is two-pronged. First, we empower participants to overcome individual challenges in seeking employment. Second, we address the systemic barriers that often prevent them from reaching their goals.
The program’s unique combination of job skills training -- as well as coaching and support of both participants and employers throughout the job search and first months of employment -- has proven to lead to successful, sustained employment. Curriculum focuses on self-motivation, time management, and communication skills. Career Launch staff also dedicates time to help participants advocate for the specific wrap-around services they need to succeed, not only at work, but also in independent life. The complexities of participants’ disabilities mean that no two participants are alikes. As a result, Career Launch staff prioritize supporting participants to succeed in their unique circumstances, understand their rights, and advocate for themselves. We provide weekly peer support sessions during the 2 month training program, as well as ongoing occasional classes, and quarterly newsletters, to participants in the career services portion of the program and our alumni. This ensures that participants are connected to and supported by a community of individuals with similar experiences.
Since the program was first conceived, we have been encouraged by the response of employer partners seeking to create more inclusive workplaces for people with BVI, but unsure of how to do so. Employers have been open to employing Career Launch participants because Perkins experts are available to help them navigate successful recruitment and the first months of employment. The combination of participant initiative and employer support leads to lasting, meaningful employment.
Supporting businesses in creating inclusive workplaces is an important way that Career Launch is impacting jobseekers beyond the direct program participants.
The Career Launch Employer Toolkit, released in 2022, is key to this widespread impact. The Toolkit incorporates insights of Career Launch staff, the experience of professionals with vision loss, and employers to reflect the complexity of needs and offer actionable advice. Many practices that support employees with BVI also support employees with other differing abilities. The Toolkit, available for free on the Perkins website, will be featured at relevant conferences, sent to business partners of Perkins, shared with BVI service organizations, and publicized on social media on an ongoing basis, and will be updated regularly to reflect new insights and learnings.
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