1. Employment Mentoring for
Deaf-Blind
Christopher C. Woodfill, MA, MS
DBI Conference
Gold Coast, Australia
August 2019
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2. Presenter’s roles in Deaf-Blind
Employment
• Oversees all aspects of employment-related programs at Helen Keller National Center
(HKNC) as its Associate Executive Director.
• Community Service Program in New York and Los Angeles
• Vocational Services Department at the Center
• Summer Youth Vocational Program/M~Power Program
• Employment seminars/trainings
• DeafBlind Specialist (8)
• Coordinates of the Professional Leadership and Learning Institute program at HKNC.
• Serves on several taskforces on employment-related topics for Deaf-Blind individuals
as an expert on Deaf-Blind employment.
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3. Professional Leadership and
Learning Institute (PLLI)
• $450,000 grant funded by the Lavelle Foundation.
• Focused on providing training/experience to Deaf-Blind individuals
wanting to work within the Deaf-Blind rehabilitation field.
• Three months internship.
• Competitive selection process.
• 18 selected over the past four years.
• Mentored by the coordinator, in-house Deaf-Blind employees and
community Deaf-Blind leaders.
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4. Professional Leadership and
Learning Institute (PLLI) (2)
• Of 18, one is currently in the program. One was terminated. One was transferred from
the program into rehabilitation training program. 15 have completed the program.
• Of 15, 11 are gainfully employed in a variety of fields such as Braille teaching,
rehabilitation/independent living teaching, assistive technology training, advocacy
training among several areas of Deaf-Blind rehabilitation field. Some had developed
interesting second jobs such as massage therapist, debt collection agent and public
relations associate.
• Of four not yet gainfully employed, two have returned to university studies to become a
vocational rehabilitation counselor. Two are still looking for work.
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5. Overview of Employment Mentoring
Curriculum
• Specifically designed for Deaf-Blind individuals being mentored
by preferably a successful Deaf-Blind role model.
• Has five modules
• What is Mentoring?
• Responsibilities within the Mentoring Relationship
• Codes of Conduct
• Discussion Topics on Working being DeafBlind
• Job Seeking Activities
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6. Discussion Topics on Working being
DeafBlind
• Accommodations
• Blind skills
• Deaf skills
• Disclosure
• Social skills/Soft skills
• Technology
• Transportation
• Communication
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7. Why is mentoring necessary for
DeafBlind individuals to achieve
employment outcomes?
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8. Question/Answer Session
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9. Presenter’s Contact Information
Christopher C. Woodfill, Associate Executive Director
Helen Keller National Center
516-570-3635 videophone
Chris.Woodfill@hknc.org
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