Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) is a nationally commemorated day held on the third Wednesday in October. This day, which is now celebrated in all 50 states and many countries around the world originated at the White House in 1999 with less than three dozen local students participating. DMD is a nationwide effort to promote career exploration and goal setting in high school youth with disabilities. This year Hannibal, Missouri high school students with disabilities had the opportunity to be leaders in pursuing their goals by participating in this event. This was an excellent opportunity for student participants to evaluate their personal and vocational goals, explore possible career paths and develop a lasting relationship with an employer mentor in their community.
The students who were interested in participating in DMD 2007 were given the opportunity to name several careers that they were interested in and would like to learn more about. Some of the student’s career choices included: librarian, law enforcement officer, writer, contractor, recreational coordinator, physical therapist, teacher and nurse. Each participant was then matched with a career professional in one of their chosen career clusters with whom they would spend a partial day shadowing and learning from.
All participating students agreed that Disability Mentoring Day was a positive and learning experience. Among these students was high school junior, Danial Tutor. Danial informed DMD coordinators that he would like to be placed in some type of a mechanical setting. His listed choices included a career in radio broadcasting, welding or auto mechanics. Danial was placed for the day with a mentor from a local welding contractor, Hannibal Machine and Welding. During his shadowing experience, Danial had the opportunity to meet staff at the facility and work with several different employees who demonstrated their job duties and typical work routine. He witnessed the use of equipment and machinery around the facility and established several positive relationships with experienced workers in the field.
Following the experience, Danial revealed to staff that he learned a great deal about the daily responsibilities of being a welder and appreciated the time the employees spent with him. Danial also mentioned that he was grateful for the opportunity to participate in Disability Mentoring Day and has future plans to pursue a career in welding.