Community Liaison Toolkit Appendix

This appendix contains numerous documents which you may find helpful as you work towards a successful DEAM. Thank you for agreeing to serve as a Community Liaison for DEAM.

This toolkit will contain items that you may find helpful as you plan and execute your DEAM activities, but by no means do you need to abide by everything in the toolkit.

Contents

Event Planning Guide

Press Release

Sponsorship Solicitation Letter

Sponsor Thank You Letter

Logo Requirements

DEAM Event Planning Guide: This is only a guide, not all questions may pertain to you

Our Goal for DEAM is:______

______

How Many Committee Members do I need?______

______

How many businesses do I need to recruit?______

When is the kick off/celebration event?______

Will we offer any food/meals at the event?______

Who is responsible for getting any food or refreshments for the event ?______

The deadline for the newspaper is?______

The deadline for the tv stations are? ______

Will you have a training session for your mentor volunteers prior to DEAM regarding people with disabilities?_

______

Are you going to have any follow-up contact with the mentees? Who is going to be responsible for it?______

______

The Before, After and During DEAM

Before

Set a goal for matches: Set a goal for matches that you want to make and then inform your committee. That way they can see the group’s progress and celebrate.
Recruit the members for your DEAM planning committee. Recruit a wide range of individuals from a good cross-section of your local community.
Determine who is going to do what on the planning committee. Give everyone a job and make sure they do it.
Recruit Mentees Recruit mentees and ascertain what they are interested in, work history and skills/knowledge
Determine if any accommodations are necessary.
Recruit Businesses. Recruit more than you think you are going to need just in case someone has to back out at the last minute.
Publicize Make sure your local community knows about DEAM and its importance.

During

Communicate with businesses and mentees to ensure everyone is where they need to be
Take pictures
Be available in case an emergency pops up
Take notes on what can be improved for next year.

After

Make sure to give your mentees and mentors evaluation forms to give feedback on the day. This will help to make things run better the following year and ensure that everyone’s expectations were aligned.
Have a debrief meeting with you committee, if you have one. Go over the evaluations and the day to determine what could be improved if anything.
Communicate with the businesses on how the day went. Let them know if there were any hang-ups and if the mentees met their expectations and goals for the event.
Send Thank Yous. It’s important to thank those that have helped, including committee members
Fill out Able Trust Event Report on Survey Monkey .

Sample Press Releases

For Immediate Release:

Celebrating Talent and Abilities

Area businesseswelcome students and job seekers with disabilities for a day of mentoring

(Name of City)- Having the right people in the right positions will keep you ahead of your competition. (Your business) is making sure it looks at every possible source for finding the right person, and participating in Disability Employment Awareness Month is one way to do that. Disability Mentoring Day provides businesses with the opportunity to meet a group of qualified people that could be their next “perfect” employee.

“quote” (insert a quote from yourself about the importance of DMD) said, (your name and organization)

Disability Mentoring Day has been celebrated in Florida since 2001 and pair students and job seekers with disabilities that are interested in a particular profession with a business in that field. Disability Mentoring Day is the centerpiece of Disability Employment Awareness Month which is celebrated each October.

Last year over (your business) welcomed (# of mentees you hosted last year) all around (name of county) This year (# of mentees) are expected to participate in the annual event.

“Quote” (insert another quote about why you participate in DEAM) said (your name and organization)

In Florida, Disability Mentoring Day began in 2001 as an initiative of The Able Trust. Last year over 2700 mentees participated in mentoring activities throughout the State.

The Able Trust was created by the Florida Legislature in 1990 to be a key leader in providing Floridians with disabilities opportunities for successful employment.

###

For more information on The Able Trust or Statewide Disability Mentoring Day efforts please contact 850.224.4496. For more information on (your organization) contact (your information)

For Immediate Release:

Looking For the Perfect Fit

Local Businesses open their doors to students and job seekers with disabilities

(Name of City)- Ask any business owner what two things are important to them and it will be providing good customer service and having the right people working for you. The right employee can come in many different forms, but it takes an open mind to realize how perfect a fit may be. Disability Mentoring Day provides businesses with the opportunity to meet a group of qualified people that could be their next “perfect” employee.

Last year over (# of mentees) participated in (your city/county) and (# of mentors) including; (list a few prominent businesses that have name recognition in your area). This year (# of mentees) and (# of mentors) are expected to participate in the annual event.

“quote” (insert a quote from yourself about the importance of DMD) said, (your name and organization)

In Florida, Disability Mentoring Day began in 2001 as an initiative of The Able Trust. Last year over 2700 mentees participated in mentoring activities throughout the State. Statewide sponsors of Disability Mentoring Day include Darden, Publix, and Vocational Rehabilitation.

The Able Trust was created by the Florida Legislature in 1990 to be a key leader in providing Floridians with disabilities opportunities for successful employment. In addition to being the statewide coordinator for Disability Mentoring Day, The Able Trust provides funding to numerous organizations throughout the State to assist with securing successful employment for people with disabilities and facilitates High School High Tech and Youth Leadership Forum, two programs for youth with disabilities.

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For more information on The Able Trust or Statewide Disability Mentoring Day efforts please contact 850.224.4496. For more information on local Disability Mentoring Day activities contact (your information)

Sponsor Solicitation Letter

Date

Dear,

Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) is celebrated each October all through the (where you are). What once began as a small, White House initiative grew into the nationwide celebration is has now become.

DEAM is an important event that introduces the capabilities of people with disabilities to businesses and other organizations in (where you are). (Your organization) serves as the main point of contact for DEAM, recruiting participants and matching people with disabilities to businesses that match their career interests. All of the individuals with disabilities that participate in DEAM are capable of working and want to work. This opportunity helps to open doors for them, but does not necessarily end in employment for the individual.

The local DEAM planning committee is comprised of people from all across the community working together to ensure a successful DEAM experience for the DEAM participants and participating businesses.

The committee has set a fundraising goal of (enter the amount) for this year’s DEAM. The funds will be used for (Enter why you need $). In return for your sponsorship, your company logo will be placed (where will you display their logo). There will also be local news coverage of this event.

To learn more about DEAM go to

Thank you for your time and consideration.

List out all members of the planning committee under your name and signature

For Immediate Release:

Showcasing the Abilities of the disAbled.

Students and Job Seekers with Disabilities Show their Talents and Abilities to Local Businesses

(Name of City)- With 12% of Americans having a diagnosed disability, there is a good chance you will encounter someone with a disability during your life. Being labeled as “disabled” is not equivalent to being invalid or incapable. On the contrary many disabled individuals are not only capable of working, but excel in their chosen career. The third Wednesday in October is Disability Mentoring Day, and is a day for people with disabilities to show their capabilities to businesses.

“quote” (insert a quote from yourself about the importance of DMD) said, (your name and organization)

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Sponsor Letter #2 (includes volunteers too)

Dear ______,

Just for a moment think about your work week. I imagine most weekdays your alarm goes off and you wake up prepared to go to another day at the office, and don’t give it another thought. Or maybe you do because you love your job and look forward to another day at work; your coworkers that you go to lunch with every day; your supervisor that gives you the occasional “pat on the back” or “job well done”; your regular customers or clients, or the paycheck you get every two weeks.

It is far too common for a person with a disability to not have the opportunity to waking up and having a job to go to; eating lunch with coworkers, have their work complemented by their supervisor, or the satisfaction of receiving a steady paycheck. A person with a disability wants to and is able to work. They just need the opportunity to prove themselves and their capabilities, and I need your help to make that happen.

Each October all throughout the Nation, businesses open up their doors to people with disabilities for Disability Mentoring Day. This day allows businesses and people with disabilities the chance to interact learn about and from each other, and overcome the stereotypes of people with disabilities. Many businesses actually use this interaction as an opportunity for recruiting and filling vacant positions.

The continued success of Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) is not possible without the support of business and individuals. Please support DMD by committing to serving as a host site for mentees or through a financial contribution that will be used to support DMD activities. You will be recognized for your financial support at our (event you hold: kickoff or celebration) on (date).

You can learn more about Disability Mentoring Day by visiting: or an even better way would be to give me a call or you could even come to our next planning meeting. I can be reached at: (phone) or (email)

Our next meeting is scheduled for (insert date, time and location here)

I hope you join us as we work towards another successful and fulfilling Disability Mentoring Day.

Sincerely,

(your name)

List all of your committee members as a footnote.

Sponsor Thank You Letter

Date

Dear,

DEAM was a great success! You may have seen or heard about it (name of local news).

On behalf of the DEAM Planning Committee, I would like to thank you for your generosity. Your (value of sponsorship) allowed us to host a great DEAM. This year we had over (number of participants) and (number of businesses) participate in DEAM. This year’s event would not have been nearly as successful without your generous support.

Once again, thank you for helping people with disabilities show how truly capable they are.

Sincerely,

List the planning committee after your name and signature

Sample Proclamation

Disability Employment Awareness Month/Disability Mentoring Day Month Sample Proclamation

October is Disability Employment Awareness Month

Disability Employment Awareness Month/Disability Mentoring Day 2013

A Proclamation

Whereas, (INSERT YOUR ORGANIZATION) works in conjunction with The Able Trust to provide mentoring experiences for students and job seekers with disabilities; and

Whereas, (YOURORGANIZATION NAME) and The Able Trust is committed to helping all

people with disabilities achieve their full potential and meaningful employment; and

Whereas, (YOUR ORGANIZATION NAME) has created partnerships with businesses and organizations in (YOUR COUNTY/CITY) to provide mentoring experiences for students and job seekers with disabilities; and

Whereas, the mentoring experiences will provide students and job seekers with motivation and knowledge necessary to find and secure meaningful employment; and

Whereas, the interactions between businesses and organizations with students and job seekers enrich

the lives of everyone involved; and

Whereas, businesses and organizations in our community can provide opportunities to enrich students and job seekers with disabilities by:

• Participating in Disability Employment Awareness Month

• Creating opportunities for internships and other work experiences for people with disabilities

• Educate themselves on the capabilities of people with disabilities

Now Therefore, (I/WE) of (CITY/TOWN) (STATE) do hereby proclaim October 2013 to be

Disability Employment Awareness Month. (I/WE) urge every citizen to take time this month to engage students and job seekers with disabilities for the goal of providing them work related experinces.

Dated this______day of (MONTH), 2013

(Name of body approving proclamation)

By______

Florida Disability Employment Awareness Month

& Florida Disability Mentoring Day (Florida DEAM / DMD)

An initiative of

Logo Usage Guidelines

The following logo may be used to promote Florida DEAM/DMD activities hosted by employers, school districts, state agencies, and registered community liaisons and their organizations. Other users should write The Able Trust for permission to use at .

Other requirements:

Community Liaisons should not deviate from the logo by creating their own localized logo design. This ensures consistency among all the program sites in relation to Florida DEAM/DMD branding and widespread promotions that support the program.

The logo may not be used in a manner that would disparage The Able Trust and/or any Florida DEAM/DMD program.

The logo may not be distorted in perspective or appearance. The logo may be increased or decreased in size to fit your needs. However, its proportions should never be altered.

The logo must be used as provided by The Able Trust with no changes in color, design or removal or addition of any words or artwork. However, printing the logo in black/grayscale is permitted.

The user should request an electronic format (jpeg file) of the logo to include in their promotional materials or click to copy from page 1 of this document.

To preserve quality, logos should not be scanned from any document or copied/saved/pasted from The Able Trust’s or any other website.

The logo is appropriate for all promotional pieces related to DEAM/DMD activities.

Florida Disability Employment Awareness Month and Florida Disability Mentoring Day should be written in one of the following formats:

-Florida Disability Employment Awareness Month and Florida Disability Mentoring Day, an initiative of The Able Trust

-Florida Disability Employment Awareness Month/Florida Disability Mentoring Day, an initiative of The Able Trust

-Florida DEAM / DMD, an initiative of the Able Trust