Students with Disabilities Graduate Internship with Job Skills and a Bright Future

By Eliza Winston

VCU is helping students with disabilities get internship experiences and develop crucial skills for today’s job market through Project SEARCH, an organization that provides a hands-on training program for high school seniors with disabilities.

“Not only do students have the opportunity to learn employment skills, but they learn social skills and become comfortable in a professional environment,” said Virginia Project SEARCH Statewide Coordinator Jennifer Todd McDonough.

Project SEARCH is coordinated by the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, the Virginia Department of Education and local public school systems. Students work in a health care or business setting, such as the VCU Medical Center, which served as a host site for interns for its fourth year.

“Each year becomes more exciting. The students have a lot of accomplishments to be proud of, and we are grateful for their contributions to the Health System,” said Debbie Slayden, employment director of the VCU Health System.  

This year, four students graduated from the program at VCU and received recognition at a ceremony last week. Bryan Coleman, Darrel Brown, Shumonte Thomas and Shyterra Lewis were honored and congratulated on their hard work and effort.

Michelle Boyd, secondary instruction-exceptional education and student services coordinator for Richmond Public Schools, reminded the students how far they had come. Larry Little, vice president of support services for the VCU Health System, also spoke to the students, giving them advice and encouragement in their future career paths.

“Your dedication and commitment to learning will take you to the next steps,” Little said. “As you continue on your way, remember that learning is a lifelong process.”

The students worked in departments across the health system, and their experience was made possible by the collaboration and cooperation of all the departments, organizations and mentors who gave their time. Central Receiving, Central Supply, Patient Relations, Ophthalmology, Central Sterile Processing, Internal Medicine, Nuclear Medicine, Patient Transportation and Environmental Services participated this year.

Project Search currently has more than 150 program sites in 30 states and four countries. This year, nearly 90 students participated at 11 host sites across Virginia. For more information on Project SEARCH, visit www.projectsearch.us.

 

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