Granite State Independent Living (GSIL), which has provided support and services to seniors and people with disabilities for more than 35 years, is recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October as a time to celebrate the contributions of men and women with disabilities to the workforce.
According to a statement, as GSIL enters into its third year serving at-risk students with disabilities through the IMPACCT Program (Inspiring the Mastery of Post-Secondary Achievement in College, Career, and Training), this year's theme is “America’s Workforce: Empowering All.”
Funded by NH Vocational Rehabilitation (NHVR), the NH Dept. of Education, as well as various grants, IMPACCT students spend 14 weeks under the guidance and care of transition specialists, who work closely with NHVR counselors, GSIL staff, school personnel, case managers and families and students like Isaac.
A senior at Littleton High School, Isaac struggled with managing his academic frustrations and navigating social interactions. He had difficulty expressing his ideas, sustaining a task, maintaining focus and accepting the social rules in school. He grew angry and frustrated in social situations, sometimes reacting impulsively or becoming defiant.
IMPACCT Academy allowed Isaac to explore his passion for IT support while developing new approaches to overcome life’s challenges. Andy Mosedale of Mosedale Integrated Solutions brought Isaac onboard for a student work experience, providing Isaac with an exciting, well-rounded experience in his company. Andy and Isaac tackled everything from hardware issues to software management, on-site repairs and installations to marketing and customer service. As a senior with set goals and a new sense of confidence, Isaac is now on track to graduate from high school in June of 2019.
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