10/11/2006
Career opportunities and technological assistance for people with disabilities will be highlighted at upcoming Disability Mentoring Day activities.
Events are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the Mary Alice Kaufman Student Life Center in Princeton. The center is located directly behind Mercer Elementary School, 1200 Mercer St.
The day will begin with inspirational messages from guest speakers Deborrah Pittman, a Bluefield State College computer science professor and the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services’ 2004 Rehabilitant of the Year, and Veronica Brooks, a licensed occupational therapist with Princeton Community Hospital.
Benefits planning, a work incentive program and technological assistance will be discussed by Renee Reedy of the Center for Excellence in Disabilities at West Virginia University.
A job fair will follow to give students a chance to ask employers questions about their companies and discuss possible job-mentoring assignments. There also will be various displays of modern technological aids available to help people with disabilities work and live independently.
Area high school and college students, other adults with disabilities, and about 20 state and federal agencies and local businesses are expected to participate in Disability Mentoring Day. The nationwide program’s goal is to provide mentoring, internship and employment opportunities for students and people with disabilities.
Co-sponsors of the local activities are the USDA Forestry Sciences Laboratory in Princeton and the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services.
Employers planning to participate include the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services; USDA Forest Service – Princeton Forestry Sciences Lab; Wal-Mart Supercenter in Princeton; Coldwell Banker American Real Estate; Princeton Health and Fitness Center; City of Bluefield, W.Va., Police Department; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; USDA Rural Development; West Virginia Department of Transportation – Division of Highways; Concord University Office of Disability Services; Bluefield State College Educational Opportunity Center; Mercer County Opportunity Industries; Mercer County Technical Education Center; Princeton Community Hospital; Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry Wood Education and Resource Center; Planet Xtreme Teen Center; West Virginia State Parks; Picture This Photography; Echo Star Satellite, LLC.; Region 1 WorkForce West Virginia; West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection; and BB&T bank of Princeton.
For more information, contact:
Melody Akers, information technology specialist, USDA Forest Service,
431-2706
Jeanette Ratcliffe, branch manager, Division of Rehabilitation Services’ Princeton office, 425-1256.
Contact Information
Tracy Carr
304-766-4997