Rural Youth Apprenticeship Development Project knowledge translation specialists published article in Rehab Ink

“It is important to explore the intersectionality between disability, race, age, economic context, and geographic context as we work toward a more equitable workforce landscape for youth with disabilities and for all” — DeBrittany Mitchell, PI

ExploreVR knowledge translation specialists DeBrittany Mitchell (PI) and Julisa Cully (Co-PI) published Over & Under: Overcoming Systemic Barriers to Employment for Underserved Youth with Disabilities in Rural Areas in the online, peer-reviewed Canadian knowledge translation journal, Rehab Ink.

Mitchell and Cully lead the Rural Youth Apprenticeship Development Project (RYAD), which helps VR agencies develop and advance their apprenticeship programs for youth with disabilities ages 16–24 in underserved rural communities. RYAD convened vocational rehabilitation (VR) staff from across the US to share insights about systemic barriers to apprenticeship access that disproportionately impact underserved youth in rural areas.

Mitchell and Cully also presented these key insights on a panel at the University of Toronto’s “Social Issues in Rehabilitation: Diversity, Care and Engagement” online conference.

Read Over & Under: Overcoming Systemic Barriers to Employment for Underserved Youth with Disabilities in Rural Areas to learn more about how the learning collaborative approach can help workforce partners collectively address employment equity in rural communities.