ACE Summer Institute Hosts Virtual Job Fair

By Willie Dawkins-Miller

The Leon County School System Adult Community Education (ACE) Summer Institute hosted a virtual job fair for more than 40 young adults with unique abilities last month. This experience was in cooperation with Vocational Rehabilitation, FSU College of Education students, FSU College of Music students, KEYS Committee and Administration Team, the Florida Department of Education Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS), and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities Northwest Region.

The ACE Summer Institute has come at a time when every traditional school classroom in Florida may not open due to COVID-19. Social distancing would have been a challenge to the regularly scheduled Summer Institute. Principal at ACE at Lively Technical College Regina Browning remained committed to ensuring that ACE would host the 2020 Summer Institute and was successful in assisting with the virtual enrollment process. The virtual job fair was the culmination of the ACE Summer Institute, a six-week virtual learning program that teaches about job, social, life, and independence skills.

“This is a creative way to connect our unique population of job seekers while preserving social distancing and keeping the families safe,” said District Transition Specialist for Exceptional Student Education Kristy Ward.

“Having the capabilities to serve students in the region from their home and mobile devices proved to be quite effective, educational, and an engaging experience,” said Founding Program Administrator Allison Tant Richard.

Three employers presented at the virtual job fair in anticipation of recruiting some exceptional future employees.

Participating companies included:


All the companies discussed their disability initiatives, what it means to be a good employee, application processes, and how they work with job coaches to improve the success of employees. All participants had the opportunity to ask questions and directly engage with the potential employers. All these companies are committed to providing opportunities to persons with unique abilities while working cooperatively with both Vocational Rehabilitation and the APD job coaches.

APD’s Northwest Region was honored to participate in this unique employment service format. These virtual career events give the population we serve opportunities to connect with employers from all over the country without them having to leave their homes, during this public health challenge. They get to learn even more about this technology-directed world we live in while safely navigating, chatting, and connecting via their laptop, tablet, or cell phone from the comfort of their couch and the safety of their home. This virtual experience and this new virtual age have the potential to open doors of employment that could lead these young people right to their dream jobs.

For more information about ACE Summer Institute, please visit: www.aceleon.org

Willie Dawkins-Miller with Jeremy Richard and his mother, Allison Tant Richard.


Willie Dawkins-Miller with Leon County ESE Program Specialist for Compliance Kristy Ward.