AccessSTEM

Advise teens that they need to start exploring their career interests and developing their job skills now! In today's competitive job market, it is essential that everyone possess skills and relevant job experience that will set them apart from others. Work-based learning experiences can help teens focus their career interests and develop job skills.

For more information, consult the video and publication Learn and Earn: Tips for Teens.

The Internet hosts a large quantity of websites and electronic discussion lists that contain information of interest to individuals with learning disabilities and/or Attention-Deficit Disorder and their family members, friends, mentors, advocates, educators, employers, and coworkers. Topics addressed include education, accommodations, diagnosis, employment, social development, and support networks.

Each state has a state Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance and Training (AT3) Center. These centers were originally funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) as part of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998. To locate an AT Act Center in your state, consult the State Tech ACT Projects.

Taking classes in science, technology, and mathematics in high school, transitioning to college, and participating in work-based learning activities, are a few of the important steps toward a career in a computing field. Educators, parents, and other advocates can help students with disabilities reach critical junctures by providing mentor and family support, promoting the use of technology, engaging students in activities designed to develop self-determination and computing interests, and offering internships, research experiences, and other work-based learning opportunities.

The Internet hosts a large quantity of websites and electronic discussion lists that may be of interest to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and their family members, friends, mentors, advocates, employers, and coworkers. A collection of websites and discussion lists can be found at Disability-Related Resources: Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Although each situation is different and the student is the best source of information regarding useful accommodations, the following accommodations are typical for a student with a learning disability:

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) include open and closed head injuries resulting in impairments in one or more areas, including cognition; language; memory; attention; reasoning; abstract thinking; judgment; problem solving; sensory, perceptual, and motor abilities; psychosocial behavior; physical functions; information processing; and speech. The term does not apply to brain injuries that are congenital, degenerative, or induced by birth trauma.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that U.S. programs and services be accessible to individuals with disabilities. The ADA accessibility requirements apply to Internet resources.

For more information about designing web pages, consult the University of Washington's Designing Accessible Websites webpage.

Getting to college involves thoughtful preparation. It is important to start as early as your sophomore or junior year in high school.

The Internet hosts a large quantity of websites and electronic discussion lists that contain information of interest to individuals with health impairments and their family members, friends, mentors, advocates, educators, employers, and coworkers. A collection of websites and discussion lists related to health impairments can be found at Disability-Related Resources on the Internet: Health Impairments.