Leveling the Playing Field – Individuals with Disabilities Need Internships of a Different Kind

By: Kevin A. Cojanu, PhD

With all of the efforts that are put forward to address the skills gap and to educate and train the future workforces in our society, there are always circumstances that impact groups of individuals that have challenges. In my many conversations with employers and with support groups there are the conversations about Individuals with Disabilities. These conversations are often about how do we find a way to engage this workforce into the mainstream so they can contribute to their economic growth and the bottom line of the businesses for which they work.

Something was bothering me over this last week. I went back and reviewed in my head the many conversations regarding Individuals with Disabilities, and I realized something – The organizations who understand the demographic struggle with how to change the narrative about their value. The public and corporate views are not often open to being supportive. However, making the change is often difficult and costly. So, with this, I need to make sure that I am not offending organizations or corporations that provide opportunities as you are Heros!

Do we understand who individuals with Disabilities are, where they live and does their disability prevent them from participating fully in the workforce? My knowledge tells me it is about the people I have engaged. Our precious Military who suffer from PTSD and often hide in quiet communities away from people, individuals who are bound to a wheelchair or device for mobility because of some event or frailty of the human body, or even a disorder that prevents them from leaving their safe space. These definitions are a view from my experience and certainly does not cover the complete description of Individuals with Disabilities. What is important to recognize is every one of these human beings have something great inside of them – they have a fantastic brain, and with an opportunity to utilize this brain power their Disability does not limit contribution to their economic growth and the input to the bottom line of business. However, I am not entirely convinced we as a society see the hidden opportunity because many Individuals with Disabilities are not in the public view.

It’s time to work harder to change the dynamic!

I have had the honor and pleasure to work with Veterans with PTSD who are concerned to be around people because of what they feel might happen. The challenge to this line of thinking is these Women and Men have a great deal to offer, and they do not have to provide it in a room full of people, they can contribute in virtual places full of real virtual people. As a corporate-driven society, we need to embrace the virtual worker as a whole, however,

“Imagine the positive impact it can produce in harnessing the skill sets of Individuals with Disabilities…”

In the past few weeks, the conversation with Educational Institutions and businesses the conversation regarding Individuals with Disabilities has come to the surface when I talk about why Pole Star Experiential Learning is different in how we develop the future workforce and how we level the playing field. We provide an experience where no-one is aware that Tom has PTSD and is leading a project team developing a marketing proposal for a business he is “virtually” Interning. No-one sees Sally in her wheelchair as she is managing client services solving daily issues as part of her Virtual Internship. And let’s not forget Pat who must receive oxygen providing IT knowledge working with an Entrepreneur on developing a new business concept.

So, what’s missing?

Well, there are a few things I think are necessary to have a positive impact for all involved. Businesses should develop a view that some employees do not need to be seen punching a clock, in a building, in a city or town somewhere in the USA. The virtual worker is a talented, skillful, and competent member of the workforce. When virtual workers are trained to understand and use the skills and competencies for the workplace businesses will flourish.

Additionally, we need to recognize that providing virtual Internships programs are necessary for developing a virtual workforce, these contribute to the success of the Individuals with Disabilities. It provides that level playing field for success and developing of the necessary skills, competencies, and most importantly the confidence to know they have what it takes to contribute to their success and the business who will hire them.

A Proposal for Educational Institutions and Corporations to Consideration

As Founder and President of Pole Star Experiential Learning I want to offer this proposal to Educational Institutions, Workforce Development Organizations, Veterans Groups, School Districts, and Individuals the opportunity to partner with us in delivering this needed program to Individuals with Disabilities in order to build a strong workforce. We offer a program that is easily inserted into any program, and it will not increase FTE to the Institution.

Program:

12 Week Program

10 Hours a Week

Development Coaching for Competencies for Every Intern

And More…

Corporations and Businesses, we want to develop a relationship where we can offer a trained workforce ready to contribute to your operation. The opportunity to interview and hire the virtual workers the operation requires is important. Partner with us and let Pole Star Experiential Learning contribute to your economic success.

Contact me directly and we can develop a Partnership for the future Workforce!

Kevin Cojanu, PhD

Founder and President

Pole Star Experiential Learning

Kevin@PoleStarEL.com

(772) 607-1945

www.PoleStarEL.com