With roughly 20 percent of U.S. college students with a disability, institutions can play a significant role in bridging the employability and pay gap by working more collaboratively between the disability/accessibility services offices and career services. Often disability/accessibility offices are focused on supporting the student with on-campus accommodations, extending testing time, ensuring they can navigate campus, but what happens after the student leaves and graduates?
The post-graduation outcomes for these students have the odds stacked against them. According to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals with a disability are more likely to be underemployed, unemployed, and underpaid.
Watch Sympliicty's all-star panel webinar recording to understand how to better support students with a disability, how career services and disability services offices can work together, learn what it's like to navigate the post-college world with a disability, the challenges faced by this community, and how higher education can connect the dots to ensure all students succeed once they hold that diploma in hand.
Our Panelists:
John Robinson
Founder, President, and CEO
Our Ability
John is a quadruple congenital amputee and founded Our Ability, a company dedicated to connecting individuals with disabilities towards education and employment through mentoring, workshops, public speaking as well as job placement. Our Ability is the only disability owned and operated business dedicated to building employment opportunities through our job platforms, employment webinars, digital profile system and personal empowerment. John has made it his life’s work to ensure that individuals with disabilities receive equal employment benefits and opportunities. 
Chiara Latimer
Co-Director, Center for Neurodiversity
Rowan University
Chiara Latimer is the Autism PATH Career Coordinator and Co-Director of the Center for Neurodiversity at Rowan University. This program is designed to support the successful transition of neurodivergent students into employment opportunities. Chiara has the pleasure of supporting students in the Office of Career Advancement and Accessibility Services. Prior to coming to Rowan University, Chiara worked at The Center for Autism, Camden County College, and the Community College of Philadelphia educating and implementing accommodations to promote success in higher education. In addition, Chiara has provided training to employers on neurodiversity and has collaborated with Neurodiversity Hiring Programs. Chiara’s research is focused on neurodiversity in the workplace and training of business professionals and recruiters on diversity, equity, inclusion, and access topics.
Mackenzie Stevens
Disability and Mental Health Advocate
Mack Stevens is a passionate Disability and Mental Health Advocate. Her unique perspective as a disabled, chronically ill individual empowers her to drive positive change through education and reframing the negative stereotype that has surrounded mental health and disability. Her previous work has been partnering with companies and brands to be more inclusive, making sure accessibility requirements and disabled POVs are at the forethought of every new idea. Mack Stevens is a true advocate for change and a force for greater understanding and acceptance.
Our Moderator:
Sue Walker
Client Manager, CSM
Symplicity
Sue Walker, or “Mama Sue” as we call her, hails from Trussville, Alabama bringing her passion and kindness to Symplicity for 14 years and currently serves as Manager of the Client Support Team. Sue is a graduate of Webber University and came to Symplicity from the Career Center of Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. She’s passionate about students having work experiences and educators providing multiple opportunities for these experiences and guidance in building a student’s skills.