The MEED Academy
Today the MEED Program continues to provide academic support (e.g., program monitoring, mentoring, career mapping, etc.) for students in diverse technical certificate and degree programs, but has now returned to its original model of emphasizing training in advanced technology and has added an Academy in which students apply academic training in service and internship experiences and a Professional Studies Institute in which students master employability skills and receive professional skills training from experts in business and industry. Those who complete the MEED Academy will receive a MEED Endorsement, awarded to students who have not only completed Program components but who have mastered technical and professional skills and are recommended for competitive employment.
Originally MEED was an acronym for "Microcomputer Education for the Employment of the Disabled;" however, some of these terms now need to be updated, and we now refer to the MEED Program as a "Model for Enhanced Employment Development." This designation points to the Program's advanced approach to professional development and its potential to become a national model employment program for individuals with disabilities, and indeed anyone who wants a comprehensive and advanced professional skills training program. The MEED Program is now constructed upon the principles of universal design and therefore intended to be a program that is accessible to any adult looking for advanced employment/professional training experiences and opportunities. MEED-sponsored seminars and courses may be available to individuals without disabilities when space is available. The MEED Program works with a community network of agencies including the Business Leadership Network (BLN) and all South Florida AmeriCorps agencies and the Association of Agencies Serving Persons with Disabilities (AASPD) to improve awareness of the abilities of persons with disabilities and develop a new climate of employment opportunities in our community.
The MEED Program works with a community network of agencies including the Business Leadership Network (BLN) and all South Florida AmeriCorps agencies and the Association of Agencies Serving Persons with Disabilities (AASPD) to improve awareness of the abilities of persons with disabilities and develop a new climate of employment opportunities in our community.
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Eligibility
Individuals who are eligible for the MEED Program must be (1) adults with a documented disability, who (2) function independently and are personally committed to obtaining employment with advanced technical training, and (3) are otherwise qualified for advanced vocational or college-level training (minimum achievement levels meet the entry requirements for academic programs - minimum 6th grade in reading, language, and mathematics for vocational programs; completion of all college prep courses for students in college-level programs), (4) agree to participate in at least one service learning course per academic year as well as internship experiences (paid or unpaid), and (5) agree to participate in professional and technological skills training, as well as campus and off-campus experiences and training supported or sponsored by the MEED Program until completion of a vocational or college credit certificate or an associate of science degree. Additionally, prospective students will be required to obtain background checks at their expense. Any psychological disorder that could affect performance in the work environment must be under professional management, and students may be asked to provide medical documentation to that effect. Individuals with disabilities who are not immediately eligible may enroll at the College through the ACCESS Department and register for those programs for which the student is eligible to receive skills training, adult basic education, a GED program, or Community Education courses that can prepare the student to eventually meet the eligibility requirements of the MEED Program.
Students for Whom the MEED Program May be Appropriate
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Fees
Students who are eligible for the MEED Program must work with a referring agency to obtain all necessary financial aid necessary to complete an academic program unless they are able to find scholarships or other financial resources to meet course, books and materials as well as Program fees. The MEED Program does not process financial aid or financial aid documents unless a student needs an accommodation (e.g., a sign language interpreter) for any part of financial aid assistance through Miami Dade College.
There is an additional fee attached to all courses for which students are registered. These fees are standard for one academic year but are subject to change with each new academic year.
Some College scholarships may be available to students, and eligibility must be processed through the financial aid office at the local campus.
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Referral and Academic Program Placement
Once a student has been referred to the MEED Program by a referring agency (e.g., the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Division of Blind Services, etc.), the MEED Program staff work with the referring agency to determine the most appropriate academic program. Students may register for courses on any of the eight campuses.
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Advisement, Registration and Accommodations
Students with disabilities first meet with an advisor from the ACCESS Department and receive assistance with registration and accommodations. The MEED Program will provide additional academic support services once a student has been determined eligible and has signed the MEED Program Agreement for Participation. This agreement allows the student to be fully aware of all the additional requirements that are above and beyond the academic program.
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The MEED Academy Components
The MEED Academy program includes the following components:
Mentoring
Upon enrollment in the MEED Academy, students are assigned a mentor who will become very knowledgeable regarding the student’s abilities and assist the student to determine how these can be used to enhance success in the Program as well as improve personal employability and professionalism. Mentors will work with Program instructors, ACCESS resource advisors and the Internship Coordinator to ensure that the mentee is able to maintain progress and make personal growth.
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Service Learning
Students will be registered through a campus ACCESS Advisor who will work with the student to determine accommodations, and during an academic year assist MEED students to register for at least one course that incorporates service learning as part of the curriculum. The MEED Program recognizes that service-learning experiences are uniquely valuable in motivating and preparing students with disabilities and broadens personal, social, and professional skills and abilities that can lead to important employment possibilities.
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Internships
All MEED students will be required to participate in at least one unpaid internship whether or not it is part of their academic program; however, they will also be encouraged to participate in additional internships paid or unpaid if appropriate to the training needs of the student and the requirements of the academic program. Student will work with an Internship Coordinator who will develop the internship assignment with the student. The MEED Program is committed to the value of experience in fully preparing students with disabilities for competitive employment opportunities.
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Special Activities
MEED Program students are encouraged to become active in campus and community organizations that address disability issues and promote awareness of the abilities of all individuals with disabilities. Students may join the Abilities Awareness & Recognition Council (AARC) on the Wolfson Campus or another student organization at their respective campus, visit the Commission on Disability Issues (CODI) or the Association of Agencies Serving Persons with Disabilities (AASPD) or become a member of these. Each of these organizations provides opportunities to learn about diverse community resources and programs and allows the student to become engaged in community service projects.
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The Professional Studies Institute
Each semester, the MEED Academy will sponsor a Professional Skills Institute which can include a series of workshops or seminars sponsored by College faculty and staff or representatives from business and industry in the community. In some cases, the series will include courses for which the student will need to register.
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Digital Technology and the Academy
As part of the Professional Skills Institute, all MEED Academy students will be required to participate in a digital technology training program to integrate this technology within professional skills learned through the Professional Skills Institute (e.g., students will use iPods as essential devices for organizing schedules, contacts, and maintaining priorities as well as download informational and skill modules through iTunesU; all students will use MacBook laptops to create presentations and build portfolios as well as connect with internet resources related to career and employment opportunities and much more). Additionally, students will need to be trained to take advantage of the accessibility features of this technology as a means of improving professional performance for employment purposes.
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Personal Development, Recreation and Leisure
All MEED Program students will be encouraged to participate in campus organizations on their respective campuses. This participation can be with either a disabilities or other student organization.
To assist students to balance the comprehensive training needs of the MEED Program with personal and social development issues that also support improved employability skills, students will also be assisted to develop a recreation/leisure component of their training. This component can include participation at Shake-a-Leg Miami, a recreation and leisure program sponsored by the City or County Parks and Recreation Department, or other special recreation/leisure experience sponsored by the Campus or College. All recreation and leisure components will be developed with a view to accessibility.
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The Employment Assistance Program
Enrolled students will be able to take advantage of the Employment Assistance staff who will meet with students from the beginning of their program to access employment and professional skills as well as broad assistance to address issues that affect employment. The MEED Program works closely with many business and industry leaders to continue to develop new opportunities for the highly trained MEED graduate.
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The MEED Program and the Community
As it prepares individuals with disabilities for competitive employment opportunities, the MEED Program will work closely with the community to build awareness of the abilities of individuals with disabilities and help create new employment opportunities whenever possible.
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The Business Advisory Council (BAC)
Members of business and industry have been selected by Miami Dade College to advise the MEED Program staff and link program effectiveness to the needs of employers throughout the community.
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The Association of Agencies Serving Persons with Disabilities (AASPD)
Each month the MEED Program hosts a meeting of over 35 different community agencies that either directly or indirectly provides services to persons with disabilities. Many of these agencies are committed to improving employment opportunities and sharing knowledge that also address diverse issues that can affect employment (e.g., transportation, housing, medical benefits, etc.). All South Florida AmeriCorps agencies are invited to participate and partner with these agencies and work with us to develop inclusiveness of opportunities in the South Florida market.
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Commitment to the Principles of Universal Design
The MEED Program and many similar programs are possible because of the federal, state, and local laws as well as College initiatives that promote accessibility. However, the MEED Program is also committed to the principles of universal design which address much broader issues that improve employment and other life opportunities by considering the diverse needs of individuals whether those diverse needs are a result of disability, age, or many other factors that affect full inclusion in life’s most important opportunities. Universal design principles promote not only accessibility for all but flexible and sustainable environments and experiences that significantly address diversity.
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The MEED Staff
The MEED staff include a Director, an Academic Support Coordinator, an Employment Outreach Coordinator, an Employment Assistance Specialist, an Internship Coordinator, as well as technical support staff. The MEED staff work closely with the ACCESS Department to address accommodations and other accessibility issues and works closely with the MDC Employment and Career areas and many other Student Services Departments. Staff also collaborate with MDC faculty to develop special learning materials and resources. Eventually, it is proposed that the MEED Academy will sponsor selected courses that will be infused with additional training opportunities to further develop employment opportunities.
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Dr. Ken M