Melwood’s 20th abilIT Cohort Showcases Skilled Tech Talent to Regional Employers
Washington, D.C. — Melwood Community Services today celebrated the graduation of the 20th cohort of its abilIT workforce training program at the Verizon Tech and Policy Center in Washington, D.C. Ten participants completed the milestone class, joining more than 300 individuals who have graduated from the program since it launched in 2019. Following the graduation […]
Case Study: Enabled Intelligence Shows the Power of Hiring abilIT Talent
The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority recently profiled the partnership between the abilIT program and Enabled Intelligence, and for good reasons. Enabled Intelligence has hired multiple abilIT graduates, bringing them onto teams working in data annotation and geospatial intelligence. These roles demand precision, focus, and strong problem‑solving skills, all strengths that many neurodivergent professionals excel […]
Leading with heart and know-how: Dwayne Smith’s mission to make tech accessible
For more than two decades, Dwayne Smith built his career in service—first through AmeriCorps, then across nonprofits supporting youth and neurodivergent communities. An artist by training, he spent his early years teaching creative programs and mentoring young people who often needed a steady, patient presence. Later, at ServiceSource, he became a skills trainer working directly […]
Leading the Charge: Al Heggins and abilIT Across America
When Alvena “Al” Heggins joined Melwood Community Services nearly two years ago, she was drawn to an organization that embodied innovation in action. Today, as Senior Professional Development Trainer for abilIT, she’s helping scale that innovation nationwide through the launch of abilIT Across America. The national expansion brings Melwood’s proven 14-week tech training program—which prepares […]
Leadership Profile: Emily Homer
For nearly four decades, Emily Homer has worked alongside people with disabilities, bearing witness to a profound transformation in how society sees—and values—these individuals. Now Executive Director of Melwood Community Services, Emily brings unmatched perspective, experience, and compassion to her role, shaped by a career that mirrors the evolution of disability rights in America. Her […]
Tech success: abilIT grads earn certifications, pathway to job opportunities
Melwood Community Services celebrated the graduation of 17 participants from its signature abilIT program in February, which connects adults with disabilities and injured veterans to careers in the tech industry. In partnership with Cybrary, creator of the most extensive online course in the cybersecurity arena, abilIT is a unique 14-week program that helps participants sit […]
Melwood and Enabled Intelligence offer geospatial data labeling boot camps for people with disabilities
It’s a scene you may have seen in movies – enlarged bird’s eye view of blurry images of the same location taken over a period of time. Many times the difference could be just the angles of shadows. But sometimes, there are miniscule changes that escape the eyes of a casual observer. It’s those changes […]
Melwood & Enabled Intelligence lead on employment for people with disabilities in tech
Melwood, a leading employer, advocate and preferred provider for people with disabilities, is partnering with individuals, companies and communities to empower people with disabilities to pursue the careers – and lives – of their choosing. Melwood’s abilIT Program prepares people with disabilities for jobs in technology through soft skills training and technical certification. Here’s how […]
How Melwood’s abilIT program is changing the game for disability-inclusive employment – and why you should care
Montel Medley spent several months applying for jobs after graduating from Towson University with a dual degree in mathematics and computer science in 2019. But despite being qualified – and the high volume of entry-level IT jobs available – he struggled to find success in interviews and secure employment. It wasn’t until he completed Melwood’s […]
Melwood’s free IT and life skills training program for people of differing abilities is looking for candidates
Melwood’s abilIT IT certification training program prepares people of differing abilities, especially those on the autism spectrum and injured veterans, for jobs in technology and the success rate speaks for itself. Seventy percent of the program’s graduates are either employed or interning at places like KPMG, GDIT and DARPA or they have gone on to […]