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Disability nonprofit Insight pitches trainings, scholarships and job-fair partnerships to Parkrose board
Summary
Representatives of Insight described professional-development trainings, student scholarships and employer partnerships aimed at improving disability awareness and employment access for students during a Sept. 22 Parkrose board meeting.
A representative from Insight, a Portland-area nonprofit that provides disability-awareness training, scholarships and employment supports, presented to the Parkrose School District board on Sept. 22 and asked the district to consider partnering on staff professional development.
Scott, who identified himself as a founder and longtime leader with Insight, told the board Insight offers two main tracks of work: direct supports for students (including scholarships and job fairs) and cultural change work aimed at raising employer and community expectations for people with disabilities. "Our vision is moving the world expecting great contribution with people experiencing disabilities," Scott said during the presentation.
Scott described Insight’s scholarship program, job fairs that bring employers and job seekers together, and a multi-level training curriculum for schools and employers. He said trainings come in different formats — keynote presentations, lunch-and-learn sessions, virtual modules and longer professional-development workshops — and staff can tailor content for audiences such as administrators, teachers and classified staff.
What board members asked: Board members and student representatives asked about scholarship eligibility and partnering logistics. Scott said scholarships are open to any student preparing for secondary or trade school and that applications are submitted online. He said Insight partners with organizations such as Goodwill to support job fairs and to refer job-development and placement services.
Next steps: Several board members encouraged follow-up. The board’s vice chair, Brenda, and others said they would help arrange meetings with district leadership and suggested starting with leadership training for administrators. Scott and district staff agreed to follow up to set up an initial professional-development session.
Why it matters: Insight’s proposal would add district-facing professional development on disability awareness, potentially affecting classroom interactions and transition supports for students with disabilities. The presentation was informational; the board did not vote on a contract or expenditure at the meeting.
