Publications

  Employability Skills for Adults with Learning Difficulties/Disabilities Curriculum (Sample Package)
With the Workforce Investment Act's Focus on preparing adults for employment, programs are increasingly incorporating employability instruction in adult education classes. However, adults who have learning difficulties or disabilities need a more individualized, intensive approach in order to achieve employment.

The Adult Learning Resource Center (ALRC) has developed a unique curriculum and assessment model to help adults with special learning needs become more employable. The Employability Skills for Adults with Learning Difficulties/Learning Disabilities model provides an integrated system of intensive assessment, instruction, and work-based experiences. It was field tested and then adopted by adult education programs in Illinois with spectacular results:

Chronically unemployed adult learners trained through this model found jobs suited to their strengths and retained those jobs for more than 12 months.

The ALRC provides professional development and inservice training to staff and administrators of employability preparation programs.

Job Accommodations Network an extensive site with information on employment and accommodations for people with disabilities, including learning disabilities. Helpful for employers, prospective employees, and teachers.

FirstGov for Workers connects to more than 100 government resources for workers on categories such as jobs, learning, family, health, rights, and protections.

ERIC Clearingshouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education offers lists of digests, services, resource links, and products.

Occupational Outlook Handbook offers information on hundreds of jobs, requirements, salary, future outlook, and more.

U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration lists programs, services, grants, resources, and links.