BETHEL, Conn. -- On October 15th Ability Beyond Disability kicked off its very first annual Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) celebration! The day began with a kickoff breakfast for participants of the 3-day mentoring event aimed at promoting career development for students with disabilities through job shadowing and hands on experiences. There were nearly 50 mentees in attendance along with representatives from the many companies, non-profit organizations and municipalities that participated as mentors for students.
Remarks were heard from President/CEO of Ability Beyond Disability, Thomas H. Fanning; Danbury Mayor, Mark Boughton; Ridgefield First Selectman, Rudy Marconi; Director of Employment & Day Services and local DMD coordinator, Joan Volpe; and Services Manager, Bridget Kopet, who coordinated the planning and implementation of the entire event. Ms. International, Jayna Altman, was the keynote speaker for the breakfast. Ms. Altman shared her personal story of triumph over her own disability. Altman was born 3 months premature and the struggle to live at that young age left her with a profound hearing loss. She told students that they could do anything they put their mind to, regardless of the adversity they may face.
At the conclusion of the breakfast students were transported to the various mentoring sites to begin their career exploration! Sites included the Bethel Police Station, where they got to see the shooting range and meet the K-9 unit; A&A Mobil where students learned how to change the oil in a car; the Olive Garden, where they had the chance to make their own lunch; just to name a few.
A closing ceremony was held on October 17th and featured Shericka Williams. Ms. Williams, niece of Ability Beyond Disability employee James Clarke, is an Olympic track star from Jamaica who took home both a silver and a bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics this past August. Ms. Williams encouraged students with disabilities to never give up on their dreams...whatever they may be.
Feedback from both students and mentors has been incredibly positive and we look forward to continuing this annual celebration next year!
