Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency to host career explorations for students with disabilities

PERRY—On Wednesday, Oct. 9, the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency will host a full day of career exploration and networking for students with disabilities at the Georgia National Fairgrounds. 

“We are a State agency that works with individuals to try to eliminate those barriers and assist them through independence via employment and employment opportunities,” GVRA Executive Director Chris Wells said. 

Wells said this event highlights one of Georgia’s best industries: agriculture. During the all-day event, they will work with students with disabilities, ages 14 to 21. 

“We are taking this opportunity to expose these students in grades nine through twelve about the world of agriculture, how big the industry is in Georgia and the different opportunities associated with agriculture, whether that be AgrAbility, farming and all the different careers within the agriculture industry,” he said.  

One main component of this event is career exploration; Wells mentioned the GVRA’s job is to provide students with the opportunity for self-advocacy and to explore different careers. 

“We’re hoping to be in an atmosphere where there may be certain stressors to help individuals deal with large crowds, how to advocate for themselves and understand the world of agriculture,” he said.  

This event will include a one-hour discussion at Reaves Arena starting at 1 p.m. Wells said Fort Valley State will be in attendance, highlighting different programs universities offer. The University of Georgia and the Georgia Farm Bureau will also be in attendance, talking about careers. 

“We will also have our general discussion just on self advocacy of how to go out and have these conversations, how to seek out more information and what other options are available for individuals,” he said. 

Wells hopes students will be exposed to career opportunities and wants to highlight the opportunities in rural areas. He said all of these careers are opportunities and options for individuals in rural Georgia and metro Atlanta.  

“It is our hope for students that are unaware of the different opportunities in agriculture for the ones that are in rural areas,” he said.  

Wells also hopes this event exposes GVRA to individuals who are unaware of what the agency does for the State of Georgia. 

To learn more about the GVRA go to gvs.georgia.gov/.