Expo brings employment opportunities for those with disabilities

As a university with pride about the opportunities it provides for students with disabilities, Wright State will host the EmployAbility Career and Internship Expo for People with DisABILITIES in the Apollo Room of the Student Union.

From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on March 15, students and locals with disabilities are invited to attend this career fair and meet with employers from the Dayton area.  As an annual event, this expo is an opportunity for those with disabilities to show off their potential in the work environment to employers.

Through the work of the Office of Disability Services and Career Services, this event has brought an increasing number of job opportunities to students with disabilities.

“We want to improve participation from all types of students with disabilities on campus,” Melissa Kelbley, who graduated with a degree in Mass Communication last spring, said.  “This is truly a unique event where students with disabilities can begin to network with area employers for a possible position during or after graduation.”

Kelbley, who is in a wheelchair, has already participated in multiple internships throughout her college career and since her graduation.  She is currently promoting and marketing the EmployAbility Expo through Angela Bonza, who works in the Office of Disability Services.

“I have been able to bolster my resume all because of Angela, her staff and the Office of Disability Services,” Kelbley said.

Students who are interested in pursuing the same resources and success that Kelbley has experienced are encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Services in addition to attending the Expo.

“Students should take advantage of this opportunity because networking is the first of many steps toward a longtime career,” Kelbley said. “Networking is by far one of the most important steps. If you can make a connection with the recruiter at the career fair, then you might just be able to use his or her connections to eventually land a job.”

In addition to taking advantage of the resources available at both the Office of Disability Services and Career Services, interested students should make use of the following links for helpful job searching tips such as dressing professionally, researching the employers that will be at the expo and preparing for interviews: www.employabilityexpo.com and www.wright.edu/career-services/events/employability-expo.  For specific questions or accommodations, students should e-mail EmployAbility@wright.edu.

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