Community Liaisons
Frequently Asked Questions for Community Liaisons
- How can I become a Community Liaison for DMD?
- What resources are available to me to help me organize DMD activities in my area?
- What are the requirements to becoming a community liaison for DMD?
- How do I inform the community and people with disabilities about DMD?
- Is there a cost for me or my organization to participate?
- What will my role be during and after DMD?
- Am I required to set up a committee or will one be provided for me?
- Are Community Liaisons eligible to be Mentors too?
- What types of jobs are available for shadowing?
How can I become a Community Liaison for DMD?
If you have connections to students and/or job-seekers with disabilities, you can become a Community Liaison for DMD. As a Community Liaison, you are the local connection between Mentees and Mentors and help facilitate the match for their on-site job shadowing experience.
To become a Community Liaison in your area, visit the Community Liaison section of the website and fill out the Community Liaison application form.
What resources are available to me to help me organize DMD activities in my area?
Community Liaisons receive a variety of resources from both the AAPD and The Able Trust to implement DMD activities in their areas. These include:
- Community Liaison Toolkit - information about coordinating DMD activities, suggested timelines, tips on matchmaking and sample application materials
- Promotional materials - Mentor and Mentee recruitment brochures, Save-the-Date postcards, sample DMD proclamation and more
- Recognition materials - certificates for Mentees and Mentors
- Online support - DMD website and communications listserv
- Conference calls - regular meetings to help answer questions, provide updated information and support networking among Community Liaisons
What are the requirements to becoming a community liaison for DMD?
To become a Community Liaison in your community you MUST operate under the auspices of and support from a school, employer or disability-related organization.
How do I inform the community and people with disabilities about DMD?
The Able Trust will provide you with promotional materials, sample press releases and other resources to help you promote DMD. Visit the Community Liaison section of the website to download these materials.
Is there a cost for me or my organization to participate?
There is no cost to participate in DMD. However, as a Community Liaison, you should determine what types of activities you will coordinate for DMD. Some of these activities may involve costs, so you should develop a budget accordingly. The Community Liaison Toolkit has suggestions on developing a budget, raising in-kind contributions and generating support from local sponsors. Also, you should be aware that coordinating DMD efforts in your community will be very time consuming, so you will have extra responsibilities outside of your regular job.
What will my role be during and after DMD?
As a Community Liaison, you want to make sure that all of your matches follow through on DMD. Follow up with your Mentees and Mentors before, during and after DMD to ensure that everyone arrived at their worksite on time and had a positive experience. After DMD, send evaluations to all Mentors and Mentees and use their feedback to compile your final report to be turned into The Able Trust and AAPD (see Community Liaison section for details on final report). Such feedback helps The Able Trust know how DMD can be improved upon year after year.
Am I required to set up a committee or will one be provided for me?
It is recommended that Community Liaisons recruit volunteers for a Local Organizing Committee to help share the work load of DMD activities. In some cases, a formal committee may not be appropriate - for example, in planning activities for few students. As a general rule, however, a committee of some kind will help you be more efficient in organizing DMD activities and educate your community about DMD. Be sure to read your Community Liaison Toolkit to find suggestions on establishing a Local Organizing Committee.
Are Community Liaisons eligible to be Mentors too?
Community Liaisons can be Mentors, but it is important that you do not overburden yourself with responsibilities on DMD. Your priorities are to make sure all of your Mentees reach their worksites smoothly and safely, and also to be available to answer any questions or address any last minute concerns. It is important to make sure you have enough time and availability on DMD before you commit to serving as a Mentor.
What types of jobs are available for shadowing?
Mentees have the opportunity to observe a variety of jobs in a number of industries, depending on what types of Mentors you recruit. Past participants have shadowed veterinarians, radio station DJs and staff, government officials, firemen, policemen, carpenters and hospital employees.
The type of Mentoring experience depends in large part on the participants' career interests. You should have your Mentee complete the application to determine his/her interests, and then match him/her with an appropriate Mentor.