Empower to Employ highlights challenges, early successes during panel discussion

Polk State College has long prided itself on being an inclusive institution where students of all backgrounds and persuasions could thrive. Since August, the College has reached an often-overlooked demographic – students with intellectual disabilities.

Made possible by a Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities (FCSUA) grant, Polk State officially welcomed students as part of the Empower to Employ Program on Aug. 11. The two-year program helps students develop life skills to ultimately achieve employment.

“Intellectual disabilities cover a multitude of disorders,” said Evanthony McKenzie, Empower to Employ Program Director. “It affects how you process, how you think and how you communicate.”

As part of Disabilities Awareness Month, McKenzie and the Empower to Employ staff were featured for a roundtable discussion on the Winter Haven Campus on Oct. 30. Joining them were Kim Thomas Manning, Dean or Academic Affairs, and Shana Kent-Smith, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. Hosted by the Office for Disability Services, the panel discussed a multitude of topics.

“People living with disabilities are just like us,” said Kim Pearsall, Director of Disability and Counseling Services. “Disabilities Awareness Month is about recognizing that we’re all part of a community.”

Challenges

With an extensive background in exceptional student education, working with people with intellectual disabilities has long been near and dear to McKenzie’s heart. His brother suffers from Down syndrome. Fascinated by the Marching 100, Florida A&M University’s renowned marching band, McKenzie noted that his brother was unable to see them in person until recently.

“He’ll watch them play on DVDs and on YouTube for hours, but he had never been to a game,” McKenzie explained. “College football stadiums are not always conducive to this population. He needs special parking. If he has to go to the bathroom, he needs additional room and help. Getting into the stadium and his seat can be a challenge.

“Being dismissive is an obstacle,” McKenzie continued. “For people in wheelchairs, not having a ramp can be a challenge; signage is not always easy to read and understand. These are things that we take for granted.”

Misconceptions

Thomas Manning urged the roughly 20 attendees not to make assumptions about students in the program. When it comes to people with disabilities, panel members noted that others often jump to conclusions.

“One of the misconceptions is that they’re unable to learn,” Kent-Smith implied. “The most rewarding thing is seeing the opportunity to meet capability. The Empower to Employ students have an opportunity to develop their skills. They’re able to use their capacity and build their confidence.”

Bernard Wells, Program Coordinator for Empower to Employ, said that when it comes to people with intellectual disabilities, assumptions are often made that they have physical disabilities as well and vice versa.

“People come to conclusions,” Wells said. “For example, someone will see a person in a wheelchair and assume that they have a cognitive disability as well. It creates a negative impact in schools and work environments.”

Kent-Smith acknowledged that the program has opened her eyes. One student in the program, she noted, had a fear of being in front of the audience – a fear that she once shared. Kent-Smith noted that it was eye-opening to see that Empower to Employ students share the same passions and concerns as everyone else on campus.

“I had a perspective myself that was limited,” she added. “Each one of us come to Polk State because we have a desire. Our students in the Empower to Employ Program are here for the same reason. They’re here because they have a desire to be employed.”

McKenzie added that not all intellectual disabilities are the same. In most cases, about 80%, the disabilities are classified as mild. Many people with intellectual disabilities can live independently, McKenzie added. Two of the eight students in the program drive to class.

“Our biggest goal for students in the program is to empower them to self-advocate and live independently,” Thomas Manning said. “The impact to our Polk State community at-large will be beneficial. It will allow our faculty, students and staff to have a better knowledge, understanding and compassion for those living with disabilities.”

Making a change

For others on campus, such as students and staff, panel members said the biggest way to help those in the program is to treat them as anyone else. Marcus Pritchard, the program’s Employment Program Coordinator, urged fellow students to embrace the College’s ‘We are Polk’ motto when it comes to Empower to Employ students.

“A lot of people are afraid of things they don’t know or understand,” Pritchard explained. “There’s a barrier because people are afraid to engage these students. They’ll give you the same compassion you give them and probably more.”

Wells urged people to “love them the same but differently,” comparing it to parenting. Not all children, he noted, respond to teaching, criticism or discipline the same way. McKenzie echoed Pritchard’s sentiments.

“I would love for the people here at Polk State to meet our students where they are, get to know them as individuals and learn where they want to go,” he added. “To truly include them, we need to get to know them personally.”

Early victories

Over the first few months of the program, Empower to Employ staff members say the progress of the students has been incredible. Quandria Jenkins, Program Coordinator, gave one student who initially didn’t want to take off his headphones or speak to others as an example.

“He talks in front of people now,” Jenkins exclaimed. “He’s taken the headphones off. He recently did an interview. He stands in front of the class with his group. The change has been evident.”

McKenzie and Thomas Manning have seen the students come to believe in themselves.

“I see the hope and their want for more,” McKenzie said. “One student was homeless and had all but given up on getting a job. He’s now excited about the future and excited about going to class. Even his posture has changed.”

“You can see the sense of belonging they have now,” Thomas Manning added. “They’re college students and we want them to have the same college experience that every other student has.”

When interacting with students in the program, Jenkins’ goal is to get students to change their thinking from “impossible” to “I’m possible.” Program graduates are awarded with a certificate. Many, she believes, can be degree-seeking students in the future.

“We’re here as a support system to help them accomplish their goals,” Jenkins concluded. “We want to see them become independent and maybe even try to further their education from here.”

When it comes to employment, Pritchard said he’s received several verbal commitments from entities and businesses to hire the program’s graduates upon completion. Among those pledges are the cities of Auburndale, Davenport and Winter Haven and Mannix Pools and Grills.

“I haven’t gotten a ‘no’ yet from one business, one community leader, one chamber of commerce,” Pritchard exclaimed. “The Empower to Employ Program is part of Polk State. These are Polk State students. We’re molding each other. Our objective is to make sure they’re qualified and to help them be successful.”

More information about the Empower to Employ Program is available online at polk.edu/empower-to-employ or by calling 863.298.6845, ext. 5745.