Information Technology Students with Disabilities Honored

AbilITy Connection Award Night recognizes achievements of information technology students and graduates with disabilities

Five individuals, including college students and graduates with disabilities who are pursing careers in information technology, will receive AbilITy Connection financial assistance awards during a program from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Briggs & Stratton Corporation, 12301 W. Wirth St., Wauwatosa. The students and graduates’ mentors also will be recognized for their support.

The AbilITy Connection financial assistance awards support individuals with disabilities who are working toward or who have completed information technology degrees. The awards are offered to help overcome obstacles to continued education and the search for employment.

The individuals receiving awards are:

- John Blimke, who attends Waukesha County Technical College and lives in Waukesha, Wis.

- Noelle Romashko, who holds an associate’s degree in Computer Programming from Milwaukee Area Technical College and lives in Waukesha, Wis.

- Andrew Stasey, who holds associate’s degrees in Computer Information Technology (Network Specialist and Microcomputer Specialist) from Waukesha County Technical College and lives in Waukesha, Wis.

- Larry Taylor, who holds an associate’s degree in Computer Electronics from Milwaukee Area Technical College, is working on an additional IT Programmer/Analyst associate’s degree and who lives in Milwaukee.

- Chuck Tripi, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and an associate’s degree in Computer Information Systems from Milwaukee Area Technical College and who lives in Brookfield, Wis.

AbilITy Connection, a program of Goodwill Industries, is designed to keep pace with the ever-changing and challenging field of information technology. The program offers mentoring, internships, financial assistance awards and job placement services to students and recent graduates with disabilities who are interested in pursuing information technology careers. Through dedicated professionals who serve as mentors, individuals receive the guidance, experience and insight to prepare them for future employment. Upon graduation from a college or technical school, the program’s Business Advisory Council members assist students in finding internships and full- and part-time employment.

For more information about AbilITy Connection, call (414) 358-6525 ext. 236 or visit the organization’s Web site at www.abilityconnection.org.