TransCen has initiated a project in Maryland to engage youth with disabilities in service learning opportunities, including collecting oral histories from veterans with disabilities for the national Veterans History Project. TransCen was selected to lead this project in Maryland because of its track record of successful work with youth with disabilities, its connection to veterans' employment programs, and the service learning requirement for graduation in Maryland where TransCen is headquartered.
The new program will target youth ages 14 to 21. Service learning programs are greatly beneficial to students with disabilities, who may have limited access to early work experience and opportunities in their community. Such experiences are crucial to helping students identify career options and transition to adult life.
The added benefit of the project is that it will pair youth with disabilities and veterans with disabilities which will offer exceptional mentoring opportunities. Youth will have the opportunity to learn from veterans who have dealt with similar issues as they prepare for employment and careers. Collecting the oral histories of veterans will also contribute to documenting the diverse stories of the important service to the country by the nation's veterans. This type of mentoring can help students develop self-determination and self advocacy abilities in addition to greater communication skills.
"This will provide a significant opportunity for youth to not only meet the service learning requirements of graduation in Maryland, but it will also contribute to career and employment development, not to mention the benefits accrued from documenting the important stories of veterans," said TransCen President, Richard Luecking.
TransCen is implementing the project in collaboration with partners at Indiana University and the University of Vermont who are implementing similar activities in their respective states. The Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University is leading the project. More information on the project can be obtained from the project director in Maryland, LaVerne Buchanan.