USBLN® Releases Three Toolkits to Assist Affiliates and Employer Members Engage Students with Disabilities

For Immediate Release
November 9, 2010

Contact: Gary Goosman
Phone: 202-349-4259
gary@usbln.org

WASHINGTON, DC (November 9, 2010) - The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) has released three new toolkits aimed at creating quality connections between USBLN® affiliates, employers, and students with disabilities eager to gain the skills needed to enter the competitive workplace. Each of these three toolkits provides guidance on creating or expanding quality internship and mentoring programs as well as student advisory councils to provide direct career development to the next generation of employees.

"The creation and release of these toolkits, which are key components of our TOWER Initiative, directly support the USBLN® mission to assist in career preparation for and employment of people with disabilities. We are proud to provide our network of affiliates and employers with these content-rich guides that contain actionable advice, instructions and sample information that can be readily implemented to engage students with disabilities today," shared John D. Kemp, USBLN® Executive Director & General Counsel.

All three toolkits provide comprehensive information on the tools on work and employment readiness needed by both students with disabilities and employers. Each of these toolkits also outlines the benefits to USBLN® affiliates, employers, and students with disabilities for participating in quality student-focused programs.

Guide to Business-Branded Mentoring
This toolkit aims to help USBLN® affiliates and employers create and expand existing mentoring programs to include students with disabilities from the local community. The USBLN® believes that the creation of this toolkit will provide a level of synergy across affiliate-based mentoring programs and assist employment-focused mentoring programs. Mentoring programs that are age and stage appropriate help students with disabilities gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for their desired career field and broaden their employer-focused network. Mentoring programs assist employers by providing staff mentors with the direct experience of working with a person with a disability. Through mentoring programs, employers are also able to establish relationships with students with disabilities, which is beneficial when recruiting for full-time positions.

Guide to Business-Branded Internships
This toolkit will assist USBLN® affiliates and employer members include students with disabilities in new or existing internship programs. This toolkit also goes a step farther to provide internship programs with ideas and strategies designed to strengthen learning opportunities for students in the internship program, which will provide a higher return on investment for the employer. Internship programs that are age and stage appropriate for the students participating will help the students gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities they need to create a work connection upon graduation. Internship programs are fundamental to employers in creating the next generation of qualified employees by ensuring they gain the skills needed in the workplace.

Guide to Creating Student Advisory Councils
This toolkit provides guidance to USBLN® affiliates and employer members to understand uses for and to create Student Advisory Councils. The USBLN® believes that the use of this toolkit will increase the involvement between affiliates, employers, and students with disabilities. SACs that are age and stage appropriate assist participating students with gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to start their career upon graduation. Although this toolkit is primarily geared towards USBLN® affiliates, other organizations will also find this toolkit highly useful if they would like to create a SAC.

The USBLN® would like to thank all of our reviewers who helped with this project, as well, as the Institute for Educational Leadership for their guidance. The USBLN® would also like to thank The HSC Foundation for its generous support for the creation of these toolkits. To learn more about the TOWER Initiative (Tools on Work and Employment Readiness) or to inquire about customized solutions, contact Gary Goosman, Director of the TOWER Initiative, at 202-349-4259 or gary@usbln.org.

About the US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®)
The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) is the national disability organization that serves as the collective voice of over 60 Business Leadership Network affiliates across North America, representing over 5,000 employers. The USBLN® promotes the business imperative of the preparation and inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace, marketplace, and supply chain while supporting the development and expansion of its BLN affiliates. The USBLN® recognizes and supports best practices in hiring and advancing employees with disabilities, marketing to consumers with disabilities, and encourages contracting with vendors with disabilities through the development and certification of disability-owned businesses. www.usbln.org

For further information contact:
US Business Leadership Network
Phone: 202-872-6739
Email: info@usbln.org
www.usbln.org