NPRC’s Assistant Director of Disability and Career Services, Monica Schloder, and Executive Director of Life and Independence for Today (LIFT), Robert “Bob” Mecca, will be delivering a joint presentation later this month surrounding Disability Awareness Month. The presentation will take place during one of NPRC’s new courses in the human services degree path, Human Services 110: Introduction to Human Services on the evening of Thursday, March 27. Schloder will be addressing the career and disability support services available at NPRC to accommodate students in need, while Mecca will share about how the non-profit he leads works with local businesses, government agencies, and people themselves to support their needs.
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month formally began in 1987 when President Ronald Reagan first declared March as a month to raise awareness and education surrounding those with disabilities. There are many ways to observe this month, which include but are not limited to taking the time to understand etiquette and what services are available to best help others. NPRC and LIFT are working together this month for this upcoming session to do just that.
The session is expected to last for 90 minutes and is meant to educate students who are early in their degree path in human services to leave feeling more educated on how NPRC can serve them and how non-profits and government agencies will work alongside them as professionals in the field. Additionally, Mecca will share about three main topics which include local and state resources, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) history and compliances, and disability etiquette. Mecca has been employed at LIFT for over 30 years and is one of the first employees of the agency. He worked his way from part-time employee at 10-hours per week to one of the longest tenured executive directors in the state of Pennsylvania.
LIFT supports individuals living in Potter, Cameron, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, and Clearfield counties through accessibility guidance, advocacy, assistive technology, disability awareness simulations and sensitivity training, independent living skills, peer mentoring, portable ramping, and a re-used equipment program. The organization has been in operation since 1987 and means as great deal to Mecca as an individual who was born with spina bifida and found ways to overcome his limitations and help countless others do the same. “When we look at disability etiquette, not everyone fully understands,” explained Mecca. “I’m excited to bring some of that awareness to the classroom and hopefully it can help students in their careers and overall lives. Also, having the chance to share a bit about my story and how far we’ve come and how much further we can still go is something I’m passionate about. When I was born, doctors told my mom to prepare for me to not make it. But here I am today enjoying what life has to offer, including some of my favorite things like being in the woods and enjoying hunting season with my brothers.”
Schloder is hopeful in her 30-minute portion of the presentation to showcase the different career paths possible for those with a degree in human services as well as to help showcase the connections NPRC has built in the community to various employers and organizations. “It will be great to share about the various services we are able to offer in career services for students no matter where they are in their learning. From building resumes, searching for jobs, and even doing mock interviews, there are many ways we can help prepare students and alumni to be better prepared and equipped in their careers. There are also many career paths and opportunities in our region, so it will be great to help inform these students who are still unsure where they want their career to lead them and what sub-categories are available for a career in human services.”
While this presentation is only open to those in this specific class, Schloder, who serves on the LIFT board, and Mecca are hopeful there may be opportunities in the future for larger scale events and presentations throughout the region. For more information about LIFT or NPRC’s human services associate degree, visit their respective websites.
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