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Bridging the Gap Between Disability Support Services and Career Services on College Campuses

About the Presenter

After joining the University of Tennessee (UT) in 1998, Alan Muir recognized a disconnection between post-secondary offices of disability services, and career services at most universities across the country. With Dr. Bob Greenberg, Director of Career Services at UT, he conducted preliminary research to document this anecdotal gap for the very first time. Subsequently, Mr. Muir co-founded Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities (COSD), and with the support of U.S. Department of Labor funding in 2001, became COSD’s Executive Director. Under his leadership, COSD experienced significant growth, and currently has brought together member entities including universities, employers, and U.S. Government agencies focused on career employment of college graduates with disabilities. Mr. Muir has presented at universities, employers and many conferences across the country. Mr. Muir’s previous employment experience was as Vice-President with Chase Manhattan Bank on Long Island in New York.

Alan’s other involvement in disability and employment issues include current memberships in the Association of Higher Education and Disabilities (AHEAD), Tennessee AHEAD, National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and the Southeastern Association of Colleges and Employers (SACE). Community service participation includes the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities in Nashville and Treasurer of the Disability Resource Center in Knoxville. Mr. Muir was named as a recipient of the 2004 AAPD / Paul G. Hearne Leadership Award, a distinguished and highly competitive national honor.