After College
Post College Planning
Innovations Now, LLC provides consulting services to college students with disabilities and their families, to assist in the planning process for the transition to the adult work. I have found that young adults with disabilities want to be like everyone else. They have the desire to be independent. Innovations Now is able to help students in fulfilling their dreams.
Employment
I have over 25 years of experience in obtaining employment for individuals with intellectual disabilities. I have has worked with hundreds of small businesses and large corporations to incorporate positive business practices through the inclusion of individuals with disabilities into their workforce. Using Person-Center Discovery and Planning, I am able to identify individual preferences and match them to potential careers.
Did you know that on average, individuals with disabilities stay employed in the same workplace will for 5-10 years? This longevity is an example of their dedication to their work and loyalty to their employers.
Career Counseling
Career Counseling is not just a one-time event. For students with intellectual disabilities, career counseling needs to be an ongoing discussion with the student, parents and their team. I believe that career counseling needs to start as young as age 14 years through adulthood. It is particularly important to engage in discussions when anticipating transitions that lead to adulthood.
The selection of a college or university should be a personalized experience. The top preferences should be narrowed to accommodate for the student’s learning style and to provide for an appropriate level of support for students to be successful in college. I work with each student and their families to identify colleges to visit, provide guidance on the admissions process and financial aid, prepare for interviews, and developing resumes and high school portfolios. I also provide career interest assessments and recommend options that will likely provide the best fit.
I am a member of the Higher Education Consultants Association. You can find my information at https://hecaonline.org/Sys/PublicProfile/49688030.
For Inquiries Regarding Consulting Services
Contact
Dr. Dedra Hafner, EdD
innovationsnow.net@gmail.com608 712-4694610 Gately TerraceMadison, WI 53711