Observed each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and educates about the value of a workforce inclusive of their skills and talents. 

For the sixth year, Texas Wesleyan is fortunate to be part of disability employment initiatives through the wonderful national high school transition program, Project SEARCH! Project Search Fort Worth is a collaboration of FWISD, Texas Workforce Commission, MHMR of Tarrant County and Texas Wesleyan University, with TXWES providing a training office, computer lab and on-campus work rotations for high school graduates transitioning to employment.

FWISD vocational adjustment coordinator, Charmin Simien and MHMR job coaches, Mike Roney and Jessica Marshall are currently working with students on campus daily to instruct them on lessons about self-advocacy, success on the job, problem-solving, accepting constructive criticism, getting along with coworkers at work and meeting the demands of their jobs using the supports in place to help them achieve success. Students are taught how to use their accommodations which could be a checklist to complete their job duties, reading assistance when needed or other adaptive equipment that they may need to help them work more confidently and efficiently. 

Current departments who are participating in the 5-week work rotations are counseling, library, Dora’s Café, Which Wich, security, athletics, admissions and the mailroom.  

Stop by Gina's Cafe in the Martin Center on Thursday, Oct. 17 from 11:30-1:30 p.m. to meet the Project SEARCH team members and students to learn more about this wonderful program!