HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Beyond Barriers is calling on local businesses and community organizations to support their 25th Annual Disability Mentoring Day (DMD), an event that promotes career exploration and development for area high school students with disabilities.
The Hutchinson event will take place Wednesday, October 21, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., connecting nearly 100 students from all Reno County schools with meaningful, hands-on career experience at around 30 various mentor job locations.
The day’s objectives include:
- Increasing internship and employment opportunities for people with disabilities
- Dispelling myths and fears about hiring individuals with disabilities
- Promoting disability inclusion as a central part of workforce diversity
- Serving as a catalyst for year-round mentoring and career-readiness efforts
Local businesses can participate by serving as mentors, providing job shadowing opportunities, offering financial support, or assisting with event logistics such as transportation, breakfast, and the closing reception. Many businesses return year after year, not only because they enjoy the experience, but because it’s beneficial to them as well.
“We’ve employed at least three kids that came for Disability Mentoring Day. One of them worked here for 15 years,” said Brook Neufeld, Hospitality Manager at Carlos O’ Kelly’s. “Disability shouldn’t be a stigma. If you are a good employer, you should be able to find people’s strengths and guide them just with that, not based on what you think they should be doing or what you think their limitations are. (Our parent company) Thrive has always been good at recognizing and trying to set people up to succeed, just based on who they are as an individual, not what group they’re categorized in.”
The success of DMD in Reno County relies on a collaborative effort. A community partner steering committee helps recruit students, connect them with local employers, coordinate transportation, and organize event activities.
Businesses and organizations interested in participating or sponsoring are encouraged to contact Cindy Daniels at 620-663-3989 or [email protected] for more information.
Learn more about Disability Mentoring Day and Beyond Barriers at BeyondBarriersKS.com.
