Student Presentation

Photo of students learning about career preparation

This section provides several presentation options followed by one more detailed outline for delivering presentations on work-based learning opportunities to students with disabilities.

Purpose

Your presentation to students with disabilities may have one or more of the following purposes:

  • to learn what work-based learning is
  • to understand why it is important to participate in work experiences before graduating from college
  • to know their rights and responsibilities as interns with disabilities
  • to develop strategies for appropriately disclosing their disabilities and requesting effective accommodations
  • to become familiar with adaptive technology that will provide them with access to computers
  • to identify key personnel and support-services offices that will be able to assist them on a typical college campus

Length

The following presentation examples are designed to address a wide variety of participant needs.

Presenters

A Career Counselor, Cooperative Education Coordinator, Disabled Student Services Officer, Adaptive Technology Consultant, or student with a disability could deliver all or part of a presentation. Little experience working with students with disabilities is required to give a short presentation; longer presentations require more specialized expertise.

Preparation

Sample Presentation Outline

The following outline can be tailored to your audience, and can vary from a brief 15-minute overview to a full-day workshop.

Logistics

  • Introduce presenter(s).
  • Introduce participants.
  • Identify accessible restrooms, telephones, and provide site logistics.
  • Discuss presentation agenda and schedule.
  • Describe and distribute handouts.

Introduction

  • Provide background and overview.
  • Define work-based learning.

Why Participate in Work-Based Learning Activities?

  • Describe how all students benefit from work-based learning.
  • Identify benefits specific to students with disabilities.
  • Define different types of work-based learning options.
  • Show the It's Your Career videotape presentation.

How to Get Involved

  • Provide an overview of how to find work-based learning opportunities.
  • Identify the key players on a typical college campus.
  • Discuss disclosure of disability -- when, where, and how.
  • Outline how to determine and request appropriate accommodations.
  • Share local school and community resources.

Adaptive Technology

  • Discuss the benefits of using technology in academic and career settings.
  • Share the Working Together: People with Disabilities and Computer Technology videotape presentation to provide an overview of technology options for individuals with:
    • low vision
    • blindness
    • hearing and speech impairments
    • specific learning disabilities
    • mobility impairments
    • health impairments
  • Discuss how to choose appropriate adaptive technology.
  • Provide additional resources.

Conclusion

  • Summarize the key points of the presentation.
  • Provide additional resources.

Equipment and Tools