DO-IT Brings High School-High Tech to Seattle

The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded a $50,000 grant to the DO-IT program at the University of Washingon to develop High School-High Tech in the Seattle area. Key collaborators include the City of Seattle Youth Employment Program and Seattle Public Schools. Sara Lopez is managing these efforts, under the direction of Sheryl Burgstahler, DO-IT Director. High School-High Tech is a national network of programs that involve high school students with disabilities in work-based learning experiences in high tech fields. Activities include internships, job shadows and mock interviews with potential employers. The ultimate goal is to improve the postsecondary academic and career outcomes for young people with disabilities.

"Too many young people with disabilities reach adulthood without the knowledge, skills and experience they need for employment in challenging career fields. Our High School-High Tech program will help them prepare for success," according to Burgstahler. High School-High Tech joins DO-IT's programs that, since 1992, have empowered young people with disabilities through the use of technology and promoted their success in college and careers. DO-IT, which stands for Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology, is a collaboration of Computing & Communications, the Department of Education, and the College of Engineering.

DO-IT is actively recruiting students with disabilities in the Seattle area who wish to get involved in career preparation activities and employers who are interested in providing work-based experiences for them. For information about how you can be involved in DO-IT's High School-High Tech program, contact Sara Lopez at lopezsl@u.washington.edu.