Informational Videos
In this video, Sonya Durham and Hannah Carignan show vocational rehabilitation professionals how to look beyond traditional tests and one-time evaluations, which often miss the full picture for job seekers with disabilities. By treating everyday interactions, behavior, and real-world observations as ongoing assessment tools, professionals can discover genuine strengths and adapt career plans to create lasting, meaningful job placements.
Translating Data Into Opportunities - Part 1
Sonya Durham and Hannah Carignan demonstrate how vocational rehabilitation counselors can launch career assessments by focusing on the student first through the awareness phase ("Who am I?"). Using a case study of a student aiming to own a video game company, they detail how to uncover strengths, preferences, interests, and support needs while fostering self-advocacy and self-determination. Counselors will learn to ask better, curiosity-driven questions that build strong foundations for career exploration and competitive integrated employment.
Preparing VR Participants for STEM Careers Through AI Innovation
John Fife, Ph.D., director of VCU’s Center for Innovation in STEM Education, discusses how IRACA’s Project 3 helps vocational rehabilitation counselors support individuals with disabilities in STEM. The initiative provides podcasts, accessibility and assistive technology training, barrier-reduction strategies, and mentorship mapping to foster belonging. Dr. Fife emphasizes that beyond academics, success requires accessible environments, encouragement, and targeted mentorship, offering VR counselors practical ways to leverage AI tools and network mapping to expand STEM career access.
How to Find Scholarship Opportunities for Students - 5 Tips with Jaclyn Camden
College costs can create major barriers for students with disabilities. In this video, Jaclyn Camden shares 5 practical tips for vocational rehabilitation counselors to help students secure funding, including leveraging campus resources and local awards, creating reusable essays, spotting scams, and navigating displacement policies. Use these strategies to save time, reduce financial stress, and support college success.
Using AI to Improve Social Communications in Autistic Individuals
Dr. Lynn Koegel, Stanford Medicine, introduces Noora, a conversational AI platform co-developed with Monica Lamb, Stanford Medicine, to help autistic individuals practice key social communication skills - like empathy and conversation for personal, social, and workplace settings.
Translating Data into Opportunities - Part 2
In this episode, Sonya Durham and Hannah Carignan explain how career assessments should expand student possibilities rather than limit them to a single path. Using a tech-focused case study, they show how exploring related roles and gaining hands-on career experiences helps students uncover options aligned with their strengths and support needs.
Translating Data into Opportunities - Part 3
In Part 3 of "Translating Data into Opportunities," Sonya Durham and Hannah Carignan explain how career assessment turns exploration into a practical plan for skill development. By balancing technical and workplace skills, ongoing assessment helps students gain hands-on experience, build confidence, and adapt their career goals as their interests evolve.
Translating Data into Opportunities - Part 4
In "Translating Data into Opportunities Part 4," Sonya Durham and Hannah Carignan explain how career assessment data helps students with disabilities build practical skills and navigate non-linear pathways toward competitive integrated employment.
From School to Work Supports: Tips from Sonya
Transitioning from school under IDEA to the workplace under the ADA shifts the responsibility of securing accommodations directly to the employee. In this video, career support specialist Sonya Durham outlines how VR professionals can help young adults self-advocate by focusing on why past school supports worked to identify effective workplace accommodations. She shares practical strategies such as role-playing conversations with supervisors and letting consumers speak for themselves to help individuals build the independence needed to communicate their needs and maintain employment.
Business Selfie: Bonded Births with Chelsie Pasley
In this episode of the Business Selfie series, Central Virginia birth doula and Bonded Births owner Chelsie Pasley shares how she supports families during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period. Drawing on her social work background and personal experiences, she provides childbirth education, birth planning, lactation support, and photography. Chelsie also offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing ongoing education, patience, and persistence when building a business you care about.
Skills for Remote Work with Dalton Lynn
In an interview with Hannah Carignan, Timmons Group recruiter Dalton Lynn advised remote workers to cultivate independence, organization, clear communication, and a dedicated workspace with regular manager check-ins. She also recommended that applicants evaluate job fit, research company tech and AI expectations, and clarify travel, office visit, and time zone requirements before accepting an offer.