Impact Feature Issue on Supporting New Career Paths for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

The following online resources offer strategies, tips, and links for supporting new career paths for people with disabilities:

• APSE.  Originally named the Association for Persons in Supported Employment and now called APSE, this national organization has an exclusive focus on integrated employment and career advancement opportunities for individuals with disabilities. It has chapters in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Through APSE HR Connect it offers consultation services to help businesses reach out to and partner with the disability community. In addition, APSE has established the Employment Support Professional Certification Council to oversee the first national certification program for employment support professionals. Job coaches, job developers, transition employment specialists, job placement personnel, and employment specialists/consultants can become Certified Employment Support Professionals (CESP) by passing the national CESP examination. In addition to information about these opportunities the Web site contains Webinars, publications, and training information.
• AccessCAREERS.  This program of DO-IT (University of Washington, Seattle) focuses on successful career preparation for individuals with disabilities. On its Web site are resources for students, K-12 and postsecondary educators, parents, mentors, and employers.
• AccessSTEM.  This program and Web site help K-12 teachers, postsecondary educators, and employers make classroom and employment opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) accessible to individuals with disabilities, and provides a place to share promising practices. The Web site includes a Searchable Knowledge Base of frequently asked questions, case studies, and promising practices related to fully including students with disabilities in STEM activities. It is hosted by The Alliance for Students with Disabilities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and operated by the DO-IT Program, University of Washington, Seattle.