Vocational, College, and Career Service

College and Career Preparation

The organizations below support young adults with disabilities preparing to enter the workforce.

The featured colleges have specialized certificate programs for young adults with developmental disabilities. Several vocational programs help individuals with job readiness skills and job placement. Agencies such as GVRA and WorkSource Atlanta Regional are state-funded programs to help adults with employment.

Vocational, College, and Career Services: These services support individuals in preparing for life after high school, including employment and post-secondary education opportunities to build job skills. Supports may include job training, career exploration, college programs, and assistance with finding and keeping a job. Many programs focus on building work skills, independence, and self-advocacy skills to help individuals reach their personal goals.

Click on each agency below to access more information.

Annandale Village

At Annandale Village, we often say “happiness lives here.” Annandale is a remarkable place, a home for the extraordinary adults we serve. We are a place where lifelong friendships are made and new skills are gained. It’s a place where different abilities are celebrated. It’s a place where people find meaning and purpose. We are hope for the hundreds of adults we serve each year.

770-945-8381

teresa.clayborn@annandale.org

annandale.org

Bobby Dodd Institute (BDI)

Briggs & Associates

Creative Enterprises

At Creative Enterprises Inc., we are dedicated to supporting adults with disabilities through comprehensive programs designed to enhance independence and quality of life. Our services include:

Employment Training: Hands-on job skills development, both on-site and in the community.
Life Skills Training: Personalized support to build everyday living skills.
Job Placement Assistance: Guidance and resources to secure meaningful employment.
Educational and Creative Programs: Engaging activities to foster creativity and continuous learning.

770-962-3908

www.creativeenterprises.org

Georgia Parent Support Network Inc.

Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency

Hi-Hope Service Center

KSU Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth

The Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth offers a fully inclusive post-secondary college education and experience to students with different intellectual or developmental abilities who do not meet higher-education requirements for admission as a degree-seeking student. The program involves enrollment as non-degree seeking audit students in typical university courses and includes social integration, career exploration and training resulting in a Certificate of Social Growth and Development.

470-578-2283

AcademyAdmissions@kennesaw.edu

https://campus.kennesaw.edu/colleges-departments/wellstar/academics/academy/

REACH A.K.G.

Sawdust Occupational Therapy

The Georgia Inclusive Postsecondary Education Consortium

The Georgia Inclusive Postsecondary Education Consortium (GaIPSEC) seeks to create opportunities for students who have historically not had access to post-secondary educational opportunities. Members of the Consortium are committed to providing information and training resources for individuals, families, colleges & universities, and agencies to achieve the goal of inclusive postsecondary education (PSE) opportunities for all.

Too many young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities find themselves sitting at home with nothing to do, and nowhere to go when they get out of high school. It doesn’t have to be this way.

All individuals have the capacity to do great things, and to continue learning, to work and to contribute to their communities.

Colleges and universities need help finding the right tools and supports to aid all young people in this quest, and families need education and advice about their options.

The consortium works with members of diverse communities to help higher education institutions implement programs that extend the dream of higher education to young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The programs target those individuals who previously were excluded from the college experience under the belief that “they can’t.” The consortium is bringing together members from all over Georgia to show that with innovation, compassion and the right resources, they can.

404-413-1289

mailto:cld@gsu.edu

https://cld.gsu.edu/gaipsec/#gaipsec-resources

Road to Employment (Video Presentations)

Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation (GVRA)

Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) helps high school students and adults with disabilities transition into the world of work and maintain employment successfully. This presentation explains what GVRA is, who is eligible, how to apply and answers frequently asked questions.

Suggested Audience: Middle and High School

About Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA)

Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA)’s core mission is to help people with disabilities find and maintain employment.

Inclusive Post Secondary Education Options

Inclusive Post Secondary Education Options - Sheryl Arno & Darien Todd

This presentation will discuss Inclusive Post Secondary Education College Programs where individuals with disabilities can engage in the college experience and further their learning to increase independence and prepare for employment.

Suggested Audience: High School

About Sheryl Arno and Darien Todd

Sheryl Arno has been in the field of developmental disabilities for 29 years. While she started working in the field with children, she has spent most of her career focusing on transition to adulthood and adult life. Sheryl was the creator of the Inclusive Post Secondary Education (IPSE) movement in Georgia. She started with Kennesaw State University and now there are 8 programs around the state including in all of the major colleges. Sheryl is a consultant with the Georgia State’s Center for Leadership and Disability as a parent liaison supporting the GAIPSEC.

Currently, Sheryl is the Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta; a role she has served in for the past four years. As Executive Director, she has been able to be a resource to families trying to get through all of the complicated systems that parents transition through. Under her guidance, DSAA now supports individuals with Down Syndrome throughout their lifespan.

Sheryl also has a private consulting agency, Ability Matters LLC. She and a team of experienced professionals work privately with individuals and families to get through various systems, while providing support and advocacy for individuals that are developmentally disabled.

While Sheryl is very busy with her work, one of her most special jobs is overseeing the support for her best friend/mentor’s daughter, Lori. Lori is 49 years old, has been married for 17 years and has worked at Children’s Healthcare for 8 years. Lori has Down Syndrome!

Sheryl has been married for 29 years and has 3 children.

My name is Darien Todd. I am from Ellenwood, Georgia. I attended Kennesaw State University. I graduated from the Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth. My major is public speaking. I am currently working at the Center for Leadership and Disability at Georgia State University as a Community Advocate Specialist and an IPSE advocate. I am also a “My Voice, My Participation, My Board” trainer at the Center for Leadership and Disability. I participated in the Georgia Lend Program at Georgia State University. I also have many skills, like how to work PowerPoint, Word documents, and I know how to make flyers. I have a disability; it is called dyslexia. One of my strengths is working with others, and I am a very hard worker.

Paths to Employment Supports

Paths to Employment Supports - Dawn Johnson

This presentation will guide you through supported employment resources available to individuals with disabilities wanting to transition into the workforce. It covers the different types of supported employment that can lead to success in a competitive work environment.

Suggested Audience: High School

About Dawn Johnson

Dawn Johnson is the Director of Employment Services at Hi-Hope Service Center. She has worked in the developmental disabilities field for 20 years and is a passionate advocate for inclusive communities and real jobs. Dawn is Vice President of the Georgia Chapter of the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) and represents Georgia on the APSE National Public Policy Committee as a legislative liaison. In 2017, she was appointed to the Georgia State Rehabilitation Council to represent Georgians with cognitive disabilities.

Preparing for the Transition to Adulthood

Preparing for the Transition to Adulthood - Dr. Karla Wade, Emory Autism Center

This presentation explains how to support your child in effectively navigating the journey to adulthood through a student-centered focus and team approach. This presentation also covers what you can do at home to help your child be prepared for this transition.

Suggested Audience: Elementary, Middle, and High Schools

About Dr. Karla Wade

Karla Wade, Ph.D. is an educational consultant at the Emory Autism Center. Dr. Wade completed her bachelor’s degree in Special Education at the University of Georgia and her master’s degree in Special Education at Georgia State University. Her doctoral studies were completed at Capella University in Special Education and Leadership. Dr. Wade has extensive experience as an educator, retiring after a 30-year career in Georgia Public Schools. She went on to work at Kennesaw State University with the Academy for Inclusive Learning. She joined the Emory Autism Center in January of 2022, directly from the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, where she served as Statewide Transition Coordinator. Dr. Wade’s work is focused on helping families, schools, and agencies support transition-aged youth as they navigate to their desired successful futures. She joins the Transition Assessment team at EAC.

Gwinnett County Public Schools does not endorse the agencies posted on this website nor does it maintain associated agency website links.