Workability IV: Services for students with disabilities
Career Services, in partnership with Student Disability Services and the State Department of Rehabilitation, is offering specialized career services for students with disabilities.
Who is Qualified?
SDSU students with a learning, physical or other disability which presents a barrier to employment.
It is estimated that approximately 3,000 students at SDSU have a disability. Disabilities can range from physical to psychological to cognitive disabilities, including learning disabilities. Career Services, in cooperation with Student Disability Services, can provide specialized assessment resources and job search assistance for students with disabilities. Besides all of the services Career Services offers, students may be eligible for additional help through a cooperative program called Workability IV.
WORKABILITY IV
What is it?
The Workability IV program consists of an interagency agreement between the State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and San Diego State University to provide career planning and job search assistance to SDSU students with disabilities.
Who is eligible?
Any person who is currently a Department of Rehabilitation client and is enrolled as a student at San Diego State University is eligible.
I am not an existing client of the Department of Rehabilitation, but I have a disability. Would I be eligible?
Possibly! The first step is determining your eligibility with the Department of Rehabilitation. For more information on becoming eligible, either ask your Disabled Student Services (DSS) counselor or see the Workability counselor at Career Services for more information on how to apply with the Department of Rehabilitation. The Workability counselor, Michelle Saavedra, can be reached at (619) 594-7067 (extension 4-7067 on campus).
What kinds of services could I receive?
In addition to all the standard benefits Career Services offers, you'll have access to:
- Counselors with experience dealing with issues of disability;
- Specialized workshops for students with disabilities;
- Job search skills training;
- Information regarding disclosure issues;
- Job retention training;
- Determination of vocational goals, and strategies for meeting these goals.
Is it to my advantage to receive specialized help through he Workability IV program?
You bet! Through involvement with the Workability IV program, you can:
- Overcome barriers to employment;
- Realize your hidden potential & discover techniques that open doors;
- Receive job leads;
- Identify a career that suits you;
- Develop interview skills that work;
- Work together with your peers;
- Gain access to specialized resources for people with disabilities;
- Receive assistance with communication with your Department of Rehabilitation Counselor.
I have more questions. Where can I learn more?
Call the Workability IV program coordinator, Cheryl Rietz, at (619) 594-7067 or email her at crietz@mail.sdsu.edu for more information, or talk with your Student Disability Services counselor for information and possible referral.
Workshops for People with Disabilities
Career Services has developed a number of workshops to help students with disabilities prepare for their professional goals.
Workshops offered may include the following:
Job Search Strategies for People with Disabilities
Learn the ins and outs of an effective job search. Find out how to structure and organize your search, in addition to learning about finding leads. Discover the most recent tactics to a successful job search.
Disclosure Issues in Interviewing
Do you tell them about your disability or not?! Explore the opportunities for disclosing information about your disability in the application and interview process. Gain helpful insight on how to present yourself in a positive light.
Know your Rights with the ADA
Discover what your rights and responsibilities are under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). Understand discrimination and how you can avoid it. Discussion will focus on disability issues, the law, and employment.
Workability IV SDSU Coordinator/Career Counselor:
The Career Counselor and On-campus Coordinator for the Workability IV program conducts the workshops which specialize in disability issues and has walk-in hours for counseling in Career Services, SSE 1200. You also can schedule an appointment by calling Career Services at (619) 594-6851.