Fast Track - Programs for Students with Disabilities

 

Fast Track: Job Readiness, Self-Advocacy, and Continuing Education

Fast Track to encourages students with disabilities to think about their futures beyond high school. This introductory program begins to prepare students to enter the workforce or to pursue post-secondary education.

Program Details:

Fast Track runs for 8 weeks total.

  • 7 weeks of in-person or virtual curriculum (1 hour/week)
  • 1 worksite tour or volunteer opportunity

Meetings can be virtual or in person.

  • Virtual meetings take place over Google Meet or Hangouts
  • In person sessions take place in the classroom
  • Dates and times of meetings can be planned around teacher and students’ schedules.

Eligibility:

  • Students are 14-21 years old and live in the City of Chicago
  • Students do not have any active DRS (Department of Rehab Services) cases open
  • Students have proof of disability, such as an IEP, 504 plan, or medical diagnosis

Fast Track Curriculum

Pre-employment

  • Career inventory, introduction to resumes, writing cover letters, and interviewing skills

Post –secondary education transitional services

  • We go over the differences between two-year and four-year colleges, vocational schools, and other continuing education possibilities
  • We discuss what a student’s options are based on their career interests and goals

Self-advocacy and history of the disability rights movement

  • Students learn about the history of the disability rights movement, gain disability awareness, and learn what accommodations are and how to ask for them.
 

Emily Garmager

Senior Youth Coordinator

egarmager@accessliving.org

(312) 834-4387

 

Chinette Gilmore

Youth Coordinator

cgilmore@accessliving.org

(312) 371-5403

How do I Enroll?

To get started with Fast Track and Reaching Our Dreams, you, your teacher, or your parent/guardian needs to connect with a member of our Youth Team! Fill out the form below or contact Emily Garmager or Chinette Gilmore to get started.

Youth Programming Interest Form

Fast Track/Youth Interest Form
Name
Name
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Which of our youth programs are you interested in? Select all that apply.
Are you a parent, student, or educator?
What is the best way for us to contact you?
What school do you attend or teach at?
What school do you attend or teach at?
School Name
School Address
City
State/Province
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