CT BLN sponsored a tremendously successful Employment Conference and Career Fair on May 8^th at Manchester Community College.  

 

About 300 jobseekers with a wide variety of disabilities participated. Barbra Reinhold, author of Toxic Work, was the keynote speaker. A panel composed of individuals with disabilities discussed their careers. They are employed by corporations, by the state and independently as entrepreneurs, successfully working as accountants, human resource specialists, advocates and graphic artists. Stan Kosloski of the Disability Advocacy Collaborative and Dr. Karen Kangas of Advocacy Unlimited presented a workshop on disability disclosure. David Morton from Henkel of America presented a workshop on interviewing skills. Sharon Denson facilitated a discussion entitled “Dress for Success without Breaking the Bank.”

About thirty employers staffed booths and met with applicants. Thanks to Ability Beyond Disability, Ability Services Network, Aetna , Avon, Barnum Financial Group, Careers Beyond Disability, Connect-Ability, ConnectiCare, CREC, Freshpoint Connecticut, Focus on Recovery United Inc., General Dynamics/Electric Boat, Gilead Community Services, The Henkel Corporation, The Hospital of Central Connecticut, Hospital for Special Care, ING, Kelly Services, Loureiro Engineering, New England Assistive Technology Center at Oak Hill, Northwestern Community College, CEDHH Program, Pfizer, Prudential, Southeastern Employment Services, State of Connecticut Department of Social Services, State of Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Travelers, Unilever, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Walgreens.

Thanks to Aetnability and the many volunteers who helped make the event a success! Also, thanks to Unilever for the gift basket and the many give-aways! Special thanks to Carl Ochnio and Manchester Community College for their incredible support.