MaxAbility Taskforce

05/29/2025

July is Disability Pride Month! The Arc Minnesota has virtual events you can attend, so mark your calendars! Events will take a look back at the history of disability supports, provide an opportunity to hear about the lived experiences of disabled people, and discuss the future of disability rights.

Image description: A poster inviting you to Save the Date for a Disability Pride Summit with three virtual viewing parties scheduled in July. Each event will take place from 12 pm to 1 pm. A History of Disability Supports takes place on July 9. A Lived Experience Panel takes place on July 16. A talk entitled, "What Happens Next?" takes place on July 23. The poster also includes logos for The Arc Minnesota and the City of Rochester.

04/03/2025

Hiring?!? The 2025 MaxAbility Reverse Job Fair is coming up soon and candidate slots are fully filled!
The job fair takes place Thursday, April 24, from 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM at 125 Live, so register now for your opportunity to meet qualified candidates ready to transition to work!
Register at: https://bit.ly/EmployerRegistration2025
As an employer, you’ll do the circulating while candidates host booths with information about themselves. This makes the prospect of a job fair less intimidating for job seekers and allows businesses to focus on individual job seekers. It’s a win-win!
Employers will receive tips on inclusive communication and have the chance to meet skilled candidates at the beginning of their careers.

Image Description: Postcard inviting employers to the MaxAbility Taskforce 2025 Reverse Job Fair: You’re Invited to the 2025 MaxAbility Reverse Job Fair. For more information, contact kmullen@wdimn.org. Schedule: Thursday, April 24, 2025. 10:15-10:30 AM, Employer Meeting – Northview Room; 10:30-11:30 AM, Reverse Job Fair – River Room. Location: 125 Live, 125 Elton Hills Drive NW, Rochester, MN 55901. Tap into a diverse workforce of candidates ready to transition to work. Experience role reversal at this non-traditional job fair. The postcard includes a QR code for the registration link. The image shows a smiling woman sitting in front of a laptop computer. The postcard also includes logos for MaxAbility, Opportunity Services, Minnesota Employment and Economic Development, Workforce Development and 125 Live.

Opportunity Services, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Workforce Development, Inc. 125 LIVE

03/10/2025

This podcast is a great resource for anyone wanting to learn about employment topics related to people who are q***r and disabled. The series includes interviews with and insights from service providers and experts as well as members of the LBGTQIA+ and disabled population. Check it out!

Image description: The link image shows a fan with the seven-color LBGTQ+ colors as wedges. From left to right the colors are: violet, pink, blue, turquoise, green, yellow, orange and red. The fan of colors is arranged over a white background with the word "Prides" below it. The rest of the image has a blue background, and in the left-hand corner is the text, "Q***r & Disability Podcast."
***rpride

The PRIDES Podcast is a miniseries dedicated to amplifying the voices of q***r people with disabilities and those working to create a more inclusive world. T...

02/12/2025

Students ready to transition to work -- don't miss this opportunity! Sign up for MaxAbility's Reverse Job Fair on Thursday, April 24, 10 AM - 11:30 AM at 125 Live in Rochester. What is a reverse job fair? Instead of job seekers approaching employers, job seekers are stationed at tables displaying information about themselves. Employers are encouraged to circulate and talk with candidates about their open positions.

You will be provided a table to set up your booth.
In your booth, you could choose to use a tri-fold poster board to share your work experiences in pictures. You may choose instead to bring a laptop to share a presentation with employers. You will need copies of your resume to share with employers.
To register, follow this link: https://bit.ly/2025JobSeekerRegistration
Deadline: March 31.

Image Description: Postcard inviting job seekers to the 2025 MaxAbility Reverse Job Fair. Pitch your skills to future employers. Connect with community employers. Participant eligibility: Students who are available to begin work soon (summer 2025!) Date/Time: Thursday, April 24th, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Location: 125 Live, 125 Elton Hills Drive NW, Rochester, MN 55901. Registration: Complete this brief survey to register by March 31st. Contact Laurie Ackerman for event support: lauriea@oppserv.org. The image shows a photo of a job candidate speaking to employers at a previous reverse job fair and an arrow pointing to a second photo that shows a young woman standing in front of a sign for the Mayo Clinic Charter House, holding a poster that reads, “Hired.” The postcard also includes the MaxAbility Taskforce logo.

02/11/2025

Employers, don’t miss out on this opportunity to find qualified candidates ready to transition to work! The 2025 MaxAbility Reverse Job Fair takes place Thursday, April 24, from 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM at 125 Live.
Gain access to the job fair by registering now at: https://bit.ly/EmployerRegistration2025
As an employer, you’ll do the circulating while candidates host a booth with information about themselves. This makes the prospect of a job fair less intimidating for job seekers and allows businesses to focus on individual job seekers. It’s a win-win!
Employers will receive tips on inclusive communication and have the opportunity to meet skilled candidates at the beginning of their careers.

Image Description: Postcard inviting employers to the MaxAbility Taskforce 2025 Reverse Job Fair: You’re Invited to the 2025 MaxAbility Reverse Job Fair. For more information, contact kmullen@wdimn.org. Schedule: Thursday, April 24, 2025. 10:15-10:30 AM, Employer Meeting – Northview Room; 10:30-11:30 AM, Reverse Job Fair – River Room. Location: 125 Live, 125 Elton Hills Drive NW, Rochester, MN 55901. Tap into a diverse workforce of candidates ready to transition to work. Experience role reversal at this non-traditional job fair. The postcard includes a QR code for the registration link. The image shows a smiling woman sitting in front of a laptop computer. The postcard also includes logos for MaxAbility, Opportunity Services, Minnesota Employment and Economic Development, Workforce Development and 125 Live.

01/26/2025

Are you a student ready to transition to work? Sign up for MaxAbility's Reverse Job Fair on Thursday, April 24, 10 AM - 11:30 AM at 125 Live in Rochester. What is a reverse job fair? In a typical job fair, job seekers approach employers to learn about their business and available positions. At a reverse job fair, employers are encouraged to circulate and talk with job seekers stationed at tables to meet skilled candidates for their open positions. This makes the prospect of a job fair less intimidating for job seekers and allows businesses to focus on individual job seekers.
Employers and job seekers can share information on the best way to connect after the event.
You will be provided a table to set-up your booth.
In your booth, you could choose to use a tri-fold poster board to share your work experiences in pictures.
Or you could bring a laptop to share a presentation with employers. You will need copies of your resume to share with employers.
To register, follow this link: https://bit.ly/2025JobSeekerRegistration
The registration deadline is March 31.

Image Description: Postcard inviting job seekers to the 2025 MaxAbility Reverse Job Fair. Pitch your skills to future employers. Connect with community employers. Participant eligibility: Students who are available to begin work soon (summer 2025!) Date/Time: Thursday, April 24th, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Location: 125 Live, 125 Elton Hills Drive NW, Rochester, MN 55901. Registration: Complete this brief survey to register by March 31st. Contact Laurie Ackerman for event support: lauriea@oppserv.org. The image shows a photo of a job candidate speaking to employers at a previous reverse job fair and an arrow pointing to a second photo that shows a young woman standing in front of a sign for the Mayo Clinic Charter House, holding a poster that reads, “Hired.” The postcard also includes the MaxAbility Taskforce logo.

01/25/2025

Employers, here's an opportunity for you to find qualified candidates ready to transition to work! The 2025 MaxAbility Reverse Job Fair takes place Thursday, April 24, from 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM at 125 Live.
At a reverse job fair, employers are encouraged to circulate and talk with job seekers stationed at tables to meet skilled candidates for their open positions. This makes the prospect of a job fair less intimidating for job seekers and allows businesses to focus on individual job seekers. Employers and job seekers can share information on the best way to connect after the event.
Employers will receive tips on inclusive communication and have the opportunity to meet skilled candidates at the beginning of their careers.

Register now at: https://bit.ly/EmployerRegistration2025

Image Description: Postcard inviting employers to the MaxAbility Taskforce 2025 Reverse Job Fair: You’re Invited to the 2025 MaxAbility Reverse Job Fair. For more information, contact kmullen@wdimn.org. Schedule: Thursday, April 24, 2025. 10:15-10:30 AM, Employer Meeting – Northview Room; 10:30-11:30 AM, Reverse Job Fair – River Room. Location: 125 Live, 125 Elton Hills Drive NW, Rochester, MN 55901. Tap into a diverse workforce of candidates ready to transition to work. Experience role reversal at this non-traditional job fair. The postcard includes a QR code for the registration link. The image shows a smiling woman sitting in front of a laptop computer. The postcard also includes logos for MaxAbility, Opportunity Services, Minnesota Employment and Economic Development, Workforce Development and 125 Live.

11/26/2024

You're invited by Southeastern Minnesota Center for Independent Living to join them at Boundless for an Open House in celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The event takes place December 7th from 4 PM to 8 PM! This free event welcomes everyone to celebrate inclusivity together.

To RSVP for FREE entry into Boundless: Email semcil@semcil.org with your name and the number of people attending in your group.

Image description: Poster for the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities open house event at Boundless Playspace & Activity Center. December 7 from 4 PM to 8 PM. Art, Assistive Technology, Food, Sports, Demos. RSVP to semcil@semcil.org. The poster also includes a logo for Boundless.

10/30/2024

Did you miss this incredible presentation by self-advocates about their efforts to promote competitive integrated employment (CIE) through The Arc Minnesota Peer-to-Peer Mentor Program?
Click the link to view the recorded webinar: https://bit.ly/ArcPeertoPeer
Thank you to our presenters for sharing their experiences on the job and mentoring others!
The Arc Minnesota

10/17/2024

REMINDER! Coming up on Wednesday – Hear from Peer-to-Peer Mentors active through The Arc Minnesota about the work they are doing to promote competitive integrated employment – employment of people with disabilities alongside workers without disabilities and receiving the same workplace benefits and opportunities as other employees doing the same job, including comparable wages.
Are you an employer, HR director, or person with disabilities interested in learning more from self-advocates? Join MaxAbility Taskforce on October 23 at Noon for this Virtual Lunch & Learn.
Register now through the QR code in the poster or by following this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkfuqvqTIqHtExnzSkwIuFoha7ijcGxxwK?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1TWNzF9IYMAbmfBPMh5oEwURzs0Ol4PWqHjaNLAprQVlu0QJAqCCoIK0w_aem_kzzQvBZ-dVcZ4QNDfl-82w #/registration

Image Description: Poster invitation for A Virtual Lunch & Learn on Peer Mentoring, with images of four speakers in circles, along with their names: Olivia Lape, Ally Dukek, Tara Eisenmenger and Ian Boyat. There is a QR code linked to a registration page, a calendar icon with the date of the event on October 23, 2024, and a calendar icon wit the time of the event at noon. The text reads, "Come and learn from self-advocates about the work they are doing to promote competitive integrated employment (CIE) through the Arc Minnesota’s Peer-to-Peer Mentor Program. This program helps individuals with disabilities and their families explore job options. The program connects participants with peer mentors who have personal experience navigating CIE. These mentors offer valuable guidance and encouragement based on their own employment experiences." Also on the poster are logos for event sponsors The Arc Minnesota, Workforce Development, Inc., and MaxAbility Taskforce.

10/11/2024

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Employers, this video is for you!
Your leadership is crucial to creating a positive and productive environment for all your employees. Check out these tips on ways to include employees with disabilities. Hear about the advantages of hiring qualified people with disabilities. Taking steps to build a diverse workforce that is reflective of the world in which we all live sends a strong message to your workforce and customers.

Image Description: A woman with brown hair and wearing glasses smiles.

Securing skilled, talented and qualified people with disabilities can impact your company’s competitive advantage and workplace morale. This video will offer...

10/04/2024

Employers, HR directors, people with disabilities looking for a new career or greater success: Join us to hear from self-advocates about the work they are doing to promote competitive integrated employment (CIE) through the The Arc Minnesota's Peer-to-Peer Mentor Program! MaxAbility Taskforce presents a Virtual Lunch & Learn on Wednesday, October 23, at 12 PM.

Register now through the QR code in the poster or by following this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkfuqvqTIqHtExnzSkwIuFoha7ijcGxxwK

Four presenters will discuss the importance of advancing the leadership of people with disabilities around employment issues and how individuals can achieve competitive integrated employment with the right support.

Image Description: Poster invitation for A Virtual Lunch & Learn on Peer Mentoring, with images of four speakers in circles, along with their names: Olivia Lape, Ally Dukek, Tara Eisenmenger and Ian Boyat. There is a QR code linked to a registration page, a calendar icon with the date of the event on October 23, 2024, and a calendar icon wit the time of the event at noon. The text reads, "Come and learn from self-advocates about the work they are doing to promote competitive integrated employment (CIE) through the Arc Minnesota’s Peer-to-Peer Mentor Program. This program helps individuals with disabilities and their families explore job options. The program connects participants with peer mentors who have personal experience navigating CIE. These mentors offer valuable guidance and encouragement based on their own employment experiences." Also on the poster are logos for event sponsors The Arc Minnesota, Workforce Development, Inc., and MaxAbility Taskforce.