Bangor school to host special needs job fair

BANGOR – Aiming to help students with special needs prepare for the work force, Bangor High School will hold a “Project Transition Job Fair” from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday, June 9, in the cafeteria.

The idea is to ensure that high school juniors and seniors in special education understand which adult agencies provide the services they need after they graduate. That way they will be more likely to find gainful employment and become productive citizens.

Representatives from a number of state and private agencies will be at the event, which is open to students from other high schools as well as parents.

Individual speakers will provide information about the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and the social security administration. A group discussion also is planned.

George Brissette, head of the special education department at Bangor High School, said if students with disabilities get the appropriate services they will be better able to perform efficiently in the workplace and employers will be more likely to hire them.

“It’s important that these students have a place in our society so when they graduate from high school they have the opportunity to support themselves like anybody else, and don’t end up living their lives in the welfare culture,” Brissette said.