College. Work. Starting a business. KC grads with disabilities have options

The Mongolian Association of Sign Language Interpreters launched a free social media service that provides interpreters for people with hearing impairments. Using Facebook Messenger, the service allows clients to use video calls to talk with a sign language interpreter, who then reaches out to an institution or an individual on the client’s behalf. The initiative has six sign language interpreters and has fielded 3,543 calls. Interpreters help people get information and resolve problems, with most clients seeking assistance communicating with medical professionals and government welfare offices.

Lionheart Ability Leaders International Foundation (LALIF) uses a comprehensive training program to empower parents, teachers and those living with vision and hearing impairment. Their programming teaches educators how to understand tactile sign language, and also empowers parents on how best to support their children living with disabilities.

When Clark County School District moved to an all-remote plan for school, it distributed 10,000 devices, close to 20,000 students had no way to connect their online classes. A parent, with the help of a SCSD teacher and a board of education member, created a Facebook group to help spanish-speaking families express if they needed a device for their kids and help fill those needs. The group gained traction and attention and has since received 550 device requests, fulfilling 162. The group relies on monetary and computer donations from individuals and businesses.

The Inclusive Friends Association, in partnership with SIMBED Learners School and Nigeria's National Information Technology Development Agency, implemented a targeted digital literacy program that trained 20 women and girls with disabilities across Abuja. The two-day workshop taught participants essential digital skills including content creation, social media management, Google tools, online safety, and advocacy techniques to show them how to create content and potentially generate an income online.

Pre-employment transition services are designed to support high school students with documented disabilities by helping them explore potential careers, gain valuable work experience, and develop crucial life skills they’ll need to succeed in the workplace. For one student in Utah, participating in the program helped him secure a job on the path to becoming a mechanic after graduation.

A partnership between Essex Tech North Shore Agricultural & Technical High School, and Local 22 trade union members is teaching students union norms and trade skills early in their career, connecting them to apprenticeships and greater career opportunities. Other states, including Maryland and Louisiana, have similar programs and students report feeling a greater sense of job security and that they can command higher pay from employers due to the expertise gained from the program.

The Bonnicare Foundation garners support and funding for people in need of education, healthcare and economic empowerment through visual storytelling on social media. This approach helps humanize the challenges people are facing, encouraging those with the means to donate. With the funding they’ve received through social media donations, the Bonnicare Foundation has helped pay the school fees for more than 1,000 primary and secondary school students in rural areas.

The Union Public School District is making efforts to encourage and support more students from underrepresented backgrounds to take advanced math courses. Instead of sticking with the traditional one-time placement test that determines a student’s math trajectory from sixth grade onward, Union schools offer in-school tutoring and longer class periods to support students who show promise in advanced math.

The Transfer Scholars Network partners with community colleges and elite universities to help high-achieving students complete their four-year degree at a top school. Alongside mentorship throughout the application process, students who are accepted to partner institutions receive a financial aid package and ongoing support.

Whanyinna is a floating primary school, providing education and opportunity to children in a town where fishing has historically been the top priority. With support from volunteer teachers, more than 300 students have received basic education in subjects like English, math and science, giving local youth a new sense of hope and self-worth.