Join us to hear about a proven method of empowerment for individuals with disabilities that provides access to technical skills and prepares them for entry into technical careers, including cybersecurity. Since 2017, CYBER.ORG has partnered with Virginia's Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) to bring students face to face with technical challenges. Students practice a variety of text-based programming opportunities, including BASIC, HTML, Python, and Linux Command Line. Additionally, DBVI hosts extracurricular events such as rock climbing, bowling, and comedy improv nights that engage students after the learning has ended. The culmination of these events at our Cyber Celebration provides opportunities for students to showcase digital skills that will follow them into any career pathway and demonstrate capabilities with their assistive technology, both of which set them up for immediate and future success. As a result of participating in these programs, they learn critical thinking, collaboration, self-advocacy, and other workplace-related "power skills." In 2022, Palo Alto Networks joined the partnership and donated the use of their virtual, next-gen firewalls for students to install, configure, and troubleshoot. Palo Alto Networks is a champion of accessibility! This case study-style discussion will demonstrate how interested parties can connect with partners with a proven track record to assist their state agencies for the blind and vision impaired. Pre-ETS funding is the key to reaching students from 14-21 and empowering them with workplace skills and tech instruction.
Presenters
Tish Harris
Pre-Employment Transitions Services and Career Pathways Coordinator, Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (VADBVI)
Tish Harris is the Pre-Employment Transitions Services and Career Pathways Coordinator for the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, where she has delivered innovative programs and partnerships to assist students with career exploration and taking steps toward success in education and employment. Tish has piloted multiple successful and sustainable events and academies, leading to a dramatic increase in student connections with DBVI. Tish also teaches business at Blue Ridge Community College and sits on the local Career Pathway Consortium in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
Dr. Chuck Gardner
Enterprise-KC
Dr. Gardner is the newest addition to the team at Enterprise-KC. After teaching middle and high school for ten years, he worked at CYBER.ORG for nine years, developing curriculum and supporting teachers across K12 cybersecurity education. At EKC, Chuck directs the cyber range project that provides a safe and interactive space for students across K12, higher ed, and industry to practice cybersecurity attacks and techniques. Since 2016, he has been collaborating with Virginia’s Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired to bring accessible cybersecurity curriculum to more than 120 students from across the Commonwealth.
Dr. Thomas Trevethan
Palo Alto Networks
Dr. Thomas Trevethan is currently the Palo Alto Networks Cybersecurity Academy Academic Program Director and Senior Technical Trainer. He is responsible for developing academic cybersecurity programs as well as educating high school and college faculty on global cybersecurity principles correlated to the cybersecurity workforce. Thomas also served as Chair of the NIST/NICE K-12 Community of Interest or COI.
Prior to joining Palo Alto Networks, Thomas served as the University Dean of Curriculum in Virginia and was a faculty member in the Computer and Information Sciences department, teaching cybersecurity courses to undergraduate and graduate students.
Thomas is also a veteran who served in the US Navy for 22 years. His military career consisted of multiple Aircraft Carrier tours throughout the Atlantic and Pacific fleets before retiring from the Space and Naval Warfare Center (SPAWAR) in Norfolk Virginia.
Felicia Williams
Pre-Employment Transition Specialist, VADBVI
Felicia Williams has been a dedicated professional with the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) for over 20 years. She is currently serving as a Pre-Employment Transition Specialist on a team that provides essential services to students and youth with disabilities across the state. Her previous roles at DBVI include serving as a Vocational Rehabilitation Coordinator and a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.
Felicia earned her B.S. in Psychology and her M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University. Additionally, she holds a Vision Specialist Certification from Mississippi State University. Her deep passion for working with youth with disabilities drives her commitment to helping them achieve their career goals and gain independence.
