All Access Episode 18: Raising Your Hand with City Colleges’ Dani Smith

In honor of National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (March), the MOPD All Access Podcast welcomes Dani Smith of City Colleges of Chicago to talk about a Transitions program City Colleges has for students with disabilities.  

Dani Smith is the District Director of Comprehensive Transition Programs. In this job, she supports students with disabilities and oversees After 22, a program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In Illinois, special education programs in high schools end at the age of 22, but many students still need support in their transition to employment. Students in After 22 program create an individual plan to take them from school to employment. The program celebrated its first completion ceremony in the summer of 2024.  

After 22 is a City Colleges of Chicago program run at Richard J. Daley College and Wilbur Wright College. Students in the program can get financial aid or work with IDHS’ Division of Rehabilitation Services to get support. Students who join must be 18 years or older, have a high school diploma and a developmental or individual disability.  

The summer youth job program One Summer Chicago, which Dani mentioned, is accepting applications now at onesummerchicago.org. Join the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities on Saturday, April 26 from 12-3PM to apply for summer jobs and get information at the Inclusive Summer Jobs Expo. This event will be held at the Little Italy Branch of the Chicago Public Library at 1336 West Taylor Street. For more information, go to cityofchicago.org/disabilities.  

Learn more about the Anixter program connecting students with internships here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6EYbde6zz4

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