Left to right: Photo credit FCTC, Photo credit: FSDB, Photo credit FCTC

With spring break coming up, a spate of graduations won’t be far behind, and with that, a new wave of job seekers.

For many Deaf and Blind students, these milestones have often been met with difficulties. But across the region, there are shining examples of education and career paths that help open many doors.

Specialized institutions and partnerships with companies provide meaningful opportunities for students who are deaf and blind, and the skills they need to succeed in both academic and professional settings.

One such institution is the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB), with its main campus in St. Augustine. It has been part of the community since 1885.

Tracie C. Snow.

“We are the only school of our kind in the state of Florida that serves only students who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired and deafblind,” said FSBD President Tracie C. Snow.

Snow has been at the school for 30 years, starting as a classroom teacher.

“We serve about 1,700 children across the state, and on our campus, we have a little over 500.” Some students board overnight at the main campus.

FSDB is a public school that serves students ages 3 to 22 with an Early Learning Center and elementary, middle and high school programs. It is fully accredited and tuition-free.

The school’s approach to educating this population of students addresses the needs of the ‘whole child.’ “It’s not just about the academic day in the classroom, but we’re really working on ensuring that our students have opportunities to engage in athletics, performing arts, different clubs, recreation and career experiences,” Snow said.

Opportunities extend into the community, with the support of partners who employ FSDB students and graduates.

“For our students who live locally, there’s a smoother transition from when they’re in the work program to seeking employment after graduation or on weekends during the holidays.” said Snow.

“For our students who live outside of our area, who are in the boarding program, that’s a little bit more challenging. However, we do have students who may work for Publix as their work experience—and Publix is all over the state of Florida. That’s an easy transition,” Snow said.

FSDB students also have dual enrollment opportunities with First Coast Technical College.

First Coast Technical College (FCTC) has two campuses in St. Augustine and has been serving the region for six decades.

Their dual enrollment program allows students to build college credits at FCTC while also taking classes at their home high school. A wide assortment of dual enrollment programs is offered, including Applied Cybersecurity, Early Childhood Education, Landscape and Turf Management, and Professional Culinary Arts and Hospitality.

Jennifer Argentina is a programming specialist and Administrator for the Life Work Transition Program at FCTC, which launched in 2016.

The program works with young adults aged 18 to 22 with diverse exceptionalities who have met graduation requirements with a standard diploma but still need additional support and training.

This is done with work-based learning experiences and internships and work readiness training, including resume writing, interview skills, and searching for and applying to jobs online or face-to-face. After participants find employment, the program provides coaching and maintenance.

The Life Work Transition Program also provides postsecondary educational counseling, such as visiting nearby college campuses and their disability services offices, as well as completing school admission applications and financial aid forms.

“It really just boils down to making sure that the student has the readiness skills to be able to participate in the community,” she said.

Argentina adds that FCTC is working hard to create a more inclusive work environments and expand opportunities for students with disabilities across St. Johns County.

“Long term, we have some pretty lofty goals that we want to work toward,” she said.

Those goals include reducing stigma, building a stronger workforce through professional development, empowering young adults with diverse abilities and exceptionalities, elevating their confidence and self-sufficiency, and helping them become active members of society.

Argentina added that she realizes it takes the community to help achieve their goals, including partnerships with local businesses.

Referring to those partnerships, Argentina said, “They’re grateful to have our kids come and participate at their work site. It’s really helping to expand their perspective as they realize what our students can bring to the table.”

From their education and training at FCTC, students are employed at a wide range of businesses and organizations, including Amazon, St. Johns County, UF Health Flagler Hospital and Northrop Grumman.

“Northrop Grumman has always been an equal opportunity employer who has made sure our workforce was not only diverse but inclusive,” said Orville Dothage III, sector manager in Aeronautics Quality Standardization for the aerospace and defense company.

To meet the increasing demand for specialized technicians the company has sought out talent in their communities, specifically within local school districts.

Northrop Grumman’s internship program is designed to instill in high school students the skills and discipline necessary for building reliable, safe aircraft for the U.S. military. This in turn creates a career path to becoming a master technician.

Dothage said that every Monday, an instructor from Northrop Grumman’s Aeronautics Systems Training for Advanced Refinement program teaches the students a new skill, typically related to aircraft structure work.

“Later in the week, students practice the skill, first in the lab and then on the shop floor. Throughout, they have support from a cadre of mentors with a combined 238 years of experience.

“By utilizing this program, we can back fill our technician openings with highly qualified employees who have completed the internship and are ready to meet the challenges and complete the requirements for career advancement.”

Patrick Evans-Hylton

Patrick Evans-Hylton is an award-winning journalist, having covered a wide variety of topics in broadcast, electronic, and print media since 1995.

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From School to Career: Breaking Barriers for Deaf and Blind Students