Life after Spinal Cord Injury conference

The title of this year�s conference is: "Empowering People with SCI to Complete in Today�s Workforce"

May 14, 2010 The job market is tough. For people with disabilities, the workforce presents a whole other set of challenges. The next chapter of the Life after Spinal Cord Injury conference series, entitled "Empowering People with SCI to Compete in Today's Workforce," will be held on Friday, June 18, 2010, at 10 am in the Kessler Conference Center —1199 Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange, New Jersey. Mingle at the continental breakfast, which will be served at 9:30 am.

The conference is expected to host 150-200 people, some of who are local employers. This is the time to network with employers and build connections. You will hear first-hand experiences from people with SCI and learn how they were able to successfully re-enter the workforce. The speakers will welcome any questions.

Other topics that will be covered are how to present yourself to employers, how to use the skills you have to build a lasting and satisfying career, and different ways to find a job. It's all about ability—not disability! Learn how to advocate for reasonable workplace accommodations and discover what programs are available.

The first of two panel sessions features people with SCI sharing stories about how they entered, or re-entered, the workforce. The second addresses what working with a disability is like and highlights questions that you should and should not ask an employer.

The keynote speaker, Victor Calissi, is the Accessibility Coordinator for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. He will discuss how to re-invent yourself to bring out your best possible skills in the workplace. Hannah Rudstam, from the Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center at Cornell University, will talk about the importance of focusing on your abilities and things you need to know before going to work.

This conference is funded in part by a grant from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. The goal is to give you the tools you need to find satisfying employment and launch a successful career. We hope you join us!