People, Not Disabilities, Count

Have you ever considered a career in computers and information technology, but felt that some physical impairment might prevent you from pursuing that goal? If so, read on. The AbilITy Connection has been looking for you.

Thanks to the AbilITy Connection dozens of Milwaukee-area individuals with disabilities are now enjoying rewarding and productive careers in information technology (IT).

One former AbilITy Connection student received a national award in 1988. She currently works as a senior systems analyst for a Milwaukee manufacturer. Another AbilITy Connection graduate is now a program manager and group leader for a large financial institution.

Public/Private Teamwork

The AbilITy Connection, a successful public/private partnership and volunteer support network, provides financial and mentoring assistance to students with disabilities who are preparing for IT careers. This innovative program is administered by Goodwill Industries.

With financing from Wisconsin Division for Vocational and Rehabilitation (DRV) and the strong, active involvement of numerous IT employers in and around Milwaukee, AbilITy Connection has helped open doors for IT graduates who might otherwise have trouble gaining acceptance in the job market.

About 35 prominent local IT employers-including Briggs & Stratton, Children Health Systems, Harley-Davidson, M&I Data Services, Woolworth Corp., and Stratagem, Inc - form the AbilITy Connection's Business Advisory Council (BAC). The BAC augments the DVR's financial support of AbilITy Connection by funding, financial assistance, adapting aids for on-the-job use and transportation in support of the student's IT education.

Mentoring Plays a Big Role

The BAC is also instrumental in recruiting program candidates, matching the students with knowledgeable, caring mentors and assisting with the placement of the graduates in good-paying IT positions.

The BAC members and mentors help the students progress through their studies in a variety of ways. They offer academic support and advice. They keep the IT students informed about financial assistance, summer jobs and internships available to them through AbilITy Connection.

They also serve as "resource conduits" by enabling the students to visit them at work and lending them on-the-job IT study materials.

"This program has succeeded for students from different backgrounds and with different disabilities, ranging from hearing or visual impairments to quadriplegics, to people suffering from severe allergies or diabetes," says Joe Fritz, Professional Services Executive with Stratagem and BAC chairperson of AbilITy Connection's Recruitment Committee.

According to Roger Sherman, VP of Human Services for Goodwill, the DVR has been a "Stalwart supporter" of the program. The BAC, he adds, has been the key to AbilITy Connection's success.

"The BAC is an incredibly dedicated group of people," says Sherman. "They have done things for AbiITy Connection that are way above and beyond the call of duty." He adds that the mentoring model adopted by the AbilITy Connection with the BAC's help has served as the blueprint in the formation of six other advisory councils now working with Goodwill.

AbilITy Connection's Origins

AC grew out of a nationwide program organized by IBM in 1988. Under the early model, Goodwill and DVR joined forces at the local level to provide COBOL training and job placement for 50 to 55 individuals, with BAC support. That plan was later replaced with the current mentoring program.

"Since the newer AbilITy Connection model was adopted, we've had about 24 people enrolled in our program," says Carla Roden, AbilITy Connection Coordinator for Goodwill. Graduates of the program have found a variety of job opportunities in programming, office automation, help desk network administration, and systems analysis jobs.

"Everybody who had gone through our program has found employment in this profession," adds Roden.

Non-Traditional Students Applying

AbilITy Connection's objectives remains to help all individuals with disabilities pursue careers in computers and information technology. In recent years, however, the typical profile of the IT student has changed.

"Most of our clients are now in their late 30s or older," says Roden. "They've often sustained an injury that prevents them from continuing the kind of work they had been doing." Some of these candidates are returning to school for the first time in 20 years.

One such AbilITy Connection alumnus, Principal Consultant, Security with AE Business Solutions, Dave Ortin, sought out AbilITy Connection after he injured his back in an industrial accident and was forced to shift careers.

"I was impressed by the program AbilITy Connection had put together," says Ortin. Coming from a diverse background that included an extensive knowledge of PCs and networks, Dave found the computer curriculum at a community college not challenging enough. After spending most of his time tutoring his classmates, Dave decided to test the job market.

"AbilITy Connection Opened Doors for Me"

"I sent out more than 30 resumes, but was turned down every time," Dave says. Shortly after contacting AbilITy Connection, however, Dave was offered a part-time job by Stratagem, which soon grew into a full-time position.

"The AbilITy Connection opened doors for me quickly - doors that, as an individual, had previously been closed," he says.

Fritz sees the relationship favorably, from an employer's perspective. "Dave is an excellent example of the kind of benefits a company like Stratagem can realize by being an active AbilITy Connection participant." "It's enabled us to hire employees of high caliber."

"That's really AbilITy Connection's strength," Roden responds. "We make the connection between the people with disabilities and businesses that are looking for qualified professionals."

Some student graduates have continued on as mentors for incoming program candidates. "We encourage our graduates to keep in touch with us," Sherman says. "When they're in our program, they're in it forever."

That sentiment is shared by Ortin. "The AbilITy Connection was able to look beyond my disability and see a person with knowledge and skills to share. I really appreciate that," he says. "In some way or other, I will always be involved with AbilITy Connection.

For more information about the AbiliITy Connection, call Goodwill Industries at 353-6400.