New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Background

The New Mexico Technology Assistance Program (NMTAP), an agency within the New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), is working with New Mexico Workforce Development Board to develop a model One-stop program (NMONE) that will assist individuals with disabilities in their efforts to obtain, retain and advance in employment. NMONE will integrate disabilities services into the WIA One-stop delivery system by training certain One-stop personnel as disability specialists who understand the range of services available to individuals with disabilities. The disability specialists will work with the VR and the Social Security Administration.

In addition, NMONE helps individuals with disabilities find employment through organized Job Exchange Clubs and employer linkages.

Goals and Methods

The VR and its partners will increase access to electronic and information technology (E/IT) for clients with disabilities, expand agency outreach, and improve service coordination.

Increase access to electronic and information technology

· Conduct assessments of the E/IT needs of One-stop centers;

· Provide assistive technology devices and services necessary to complete Individual Plans of Employment; and

· Develop and publish a model One-stop center E/IT action plan.

Expand outreach

· Develop public service announcements, newsletters, booklets and posters in English and in native languages announcing the availability of project services;

· Use paid Public Service Radio (trilingual) announcements throughout the state; and

· Market over the Internet.

Improve service coordination

· Expand interaction between One-stop center staff and Vocational Rehabilitation staff; and

· Share One-stop materials and presentations on working through a One-stop center employer provided network with the VR.

Partners

Northern, Central, Eastern and Southwestern Workforce Investment Boards. NMDVR’s NMONE maintains a cooperative agreement with each of these WIBs. Under the agreement, VR agencies have agreed to serve various functions. For example:

· The Rehabilitation Services Unit coordinates client referrals with One-Stop centers, and collaborates with One-stop centers to provide more effective services, achieve vocational outcomes, promote customer choice and provide technical assistance;

· The Special Services Unit provides overall fiscal management of all universally accessible E/IT installations, the peer job exchange club, accommodation assistance and training services;

· NMONE supports the E/IT site audit and, based upon the results of the audit, procures and installs E/IT accessibility software, hardware and other items.

Southeast Disability and Technical Assistance Center (SEDBTAC). SEDBTAC shares its expertise in physical and programmatic access, and effective communication with people with disabilities. SEDTAC provides training, technical assistance and informational resources to the One-stop delivery system.

Center for Development and Disability. The Center for Development and Disability is located at the University of New Mexico. The Center organizes regular meetings between stakeholder groups and One-stop staff. The stakeholder groups provide disability sensitivity and readiness training. The meetings ensure that disability advocates are involved in the One-stop delivery system’s approach to serving individuals with disabilities.

Innovation

The NMONE initiative is introducing a number of innovations to improve service to clients with disabilities:

• Universal Design Review and Planning Guide for Electronic and Information Technology (E/IT) Accessibility in One-Stop Career Centers. NMONE conducted an assessment of each participating One-stop center to determine what type of assistive technology was needed to provide clients with disabilities full access to electronic and information technology. Based on these assessments, NMTAP loaned the One-stops (through its ABLE Loan Program) the equipment necessary to meet the E/IT needs of clients with disabilities.

• One-Stop Job Exchange Club. Operated by the Centers for Independent Living, Job Exchange Clubs for people with disabilities meet at local One-stop centers and bring people of differing abilities, employment histories and ethnic backgrounds together to share employment experiences and information. Participants also find out about benefits and programs available from various federal agencies, such as the Medicaid Buy-In program, which allows people with disabilities to retain their Medicaid benefits while working. Staff from the New Mexico Department of Labor participate as well, adding their expertise and gaining insight into the employment experiences of people with disabilities.

• One-Stop Virtual Information System. The One-stop Virtual Information System is an electronic, Internet-based entré into the One-stop delivery system. The system uses existing databases to link employers and job seekers (using existing information saved development time and overall cost). People with disabilities can check the system before arriving at the One-stop center to make sure they have all necessary information.