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Disability Mentoring Day is a one-day job shadowing opportunity for students and job seekers with disabilities. Disability Mentoring Day is officially commemorated on the third Wednesday of every October and is implemented in locations around the country and internationally throughout the year. It is designed to benefit from local creativity, with each community planning activities to best suit the interests and abilities of its students, job-seekers, and local employers.

When and Where is DMD?
Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) is observed nationally on the third Wednesday of every October. Each year, DMD activities occur across the country and around the world wherever AAPD has a DMD Coordinator to connect students and job-seekers with disabilities to employers interested in mentoring and supporting the employment of people with disabilities. However, each DMD Coordinator creates different mentoring opportunities and events, and they may choose to schedule those events around local participants and employers. Please contact the DMD Coordinator closest to you to find out more about what DMD activities might be available to you and when they might be happening.

How Will Students and Job-Seekers with Disabilities Benefit from Disability Mentoring Day?
Disability Mentoring Day is an opportunity to strengthen the transition between school and work, evaluate personal goals, explore possible career paths, and develop lasting mentor relationships. Disability Mentoring Day experiences can also result in an internship opportunity with the host employer or can function as a first interview on the way to a part-time or full-time employment offer.

How Do I Get Involved With DMD?
Students and job-seekers interested in participating in DMD can contact their Local Coordinators, who will facilitate their DMD match. To find a DMD Local Coordinator in your area click here.  For more information or for questions, please contact the DMD National Team at (800) 840-8844 ext. 22 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Who can Participate?
Middle school, high school, college students, and job seekers are all welcome to participate. You must be at least a middle school student to participate in DMD; however there is no maximum age limit.

What Types of Activities Take Place on DMD?

Participate in a Career Day
DMD Coordinators invite local employers and professionals to share information about their career areas with students and job seekers with disabilities at schools, universities, or local Centers for Independent Living

Participating in a Field Trip
DMD Coordinators organize visits to local employers' job sites where DMD participants tour the businesses, learn about the workplaces, and connect with workplace employees.

Participate in On-Site Job Shadowing
DMD Coordinators individually match students and job seekers with disabilities to those professionals serving in careers that interest them.

Participate in a DMD Passport to Employment Career Fair
This unique event allows students and job seekers to explore career opportunities during a coordinated Job Fair. Using "the DMD Passport," job seekers are encouraged to visit employer booths organized by key career clusters. Using their "Passports," DMD participants can stay connected with employers they meet for ongoing mentoring relationships.