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January 11, 2023
2022-23 Wise Webinar Series
Learning from Our Best Teachers
Alexandria Cordova: Figuring Out Her Next Steps in School to Work Transition
This presentation is part of the Wise series of trainings titled “Learning from Our Best Teachers; Individuals with Disabilities". Alexandria Cordova is a young woman who just graduated from High School this past year. She will share her journey of transition to employment and realizing her goals and dreams. She will also highlight how her skill and interests have helped on this journey. Alexandria will be sharing her website portfolio and how to best support her and other individuals who experience autism. The webinar is again moderated by Chuy Campuzano, a Consultant/Trainer from Chicago Illinois.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the Journey of one person navigating the transition from school to work.
- Understand the importance of finding out a person’s interests and skills and how those can lead to developing employment opportunities.
- Learn how the strategy of networking and using technology like developing a website portfolio can help in the job search.
- Gain some insight on how to support a person by learning what works and what doesn’t in supporting the person.
Jesus Chuy Campuzano
Jesus Chuy Campuzano was born and raised in Chicago Illinois where he still resides. Growing up in Chicago he went through the special education system. After graduating he never received services from the Illinois Council of Developmental Disabilities as he was unaware and uninterested in long term services. Chuy was ashamed and felt isolated with his disability. Fortunately, he joined Access Living, a Disability Rights Organization in 2008 where he met Curtis Harris. He began to learn about individuals with all types of disabilities and to accept them. This led to Chuy becoming a leader in the advocacy community.
Chuy is a member of the Going Home Coalition and chairs the leadership committee. As a member of the WOW team Chuy plans and co-hosts the meetings and created the WOW Facebook Group. Chuy is a regular presenter at the Speak Up Speak Out Summit. His project “Dis Life …An historical perspective of Lives that matter” has allowed him to conduct numerous interviews with individuals in the disability community. Chuy believes that getting to know individuals and their strengths will lead to better outcomes in life. Everyone should be treated with respect and dignity!
Alexandria Cordova
Alexandria Cordova is a young adult with autism and an aspiring voice actress, singer, and artist. She just graduated from high school and is starting her journey in school-to-work transition. She has been singing since she was 2 years old and doing cartoon-talk her whole life. Starring in school plays, taking art classes, and singing in a rock band and choir have inspired her to pursue a career in the arts. She also wants to teach people about autism so they can be more understanding and patient. She loves being autistic and wants people to understand how the autistic brain works.