Arcadia is helping students with disabilities learn interview skills and gain experience through the Work Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities (WRP), which connects students with federal government and private sector potential employers.

Arcadia’s WRP, which is run through the Disability Support Services in the Office of Academic Development, encourages students with disabilities to go through the program to earn professional experience, build a resume, practice phone interviews, and learn more about the job application process. 

“It’s a good experience for students,” said Katherine Duffy, Disability Services coordinator. “It can be challenging. A lot of jobs start with a phone interview now, and sometimes students who are autistic or who socially struggle might need some additional support.”

Duffy works with the Office of Career Education to help prepare students for the WRP phone interview. Once an interview with WRP is conducted, students’ information is incorporated into an employer database for the year. Duffy said this style of interviewing “fast tracks” students because they only need to do one interview for a variety of opportunities.

Graduate and undergraduate students and recent graduates who have a “Schedule A” disability, which is categorized as a severe physical, intellectual, or psychiatric disability, can apply for the annual program. Due to COVID-19, anyone who graduated on or before April 1, 2018 can apply. This year’s deadline for the WRP application is Oct. 16.

Interested students or recent graduates can contact Duffy at duffyk@arcadia.edu for more information.