Law, Health Policy & Disability Center
University of Iowa College of Law
http://disability.law.uiowa.edu/dpn/
and
The Burton Blatt Institute
Syracuse University
http://bbi.syr.edu
One–Stop Toolkit
Resources of the Week Technical Assistance Project E–Mail listserv
23 March 2007
Good morning everyone and Happy Spring,
Below please find the web site and publication of the week, as well as other resources that we hope will be useful as you work on systems change activities to help improve employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
To subscribe and / or view past resources of the week archives, access: www.onestoptoolkit.org and click on the link to "Resources of the Week" on the right hand side of the home page.
To view an indexed list of the resources of the week by subject matter, visit the L.P.H.D.C. web site at http://disability.law.uiowa.edu/lhpdc/resources/wig/default.asp. It currently includes 20 categories, covering over 300 annotated references. Each category opens to a new window with each Resource of the Week which covered material in that area.
Have a good day and weekend!
Laura Farah
Program Associate
Law, Health Policy & Disability Center
University of Iowa College of Law
P: 617–489–0086
F: 617–489–1374
[ E–mail Lgleneck@mail.law.uiowa.edu ]
[ E–mail LFarah8@aol.com ]
[ http://www.onestoptoolkit.org ]
[The full announcements are located under the section heading "Resources of Interest."]
This week, the "Resources of Interest" section features an array of different types of resources that will be helpful as Disability Program Navigators address the needs and issues related to access to the workforce development system for individuals that present to the One–Stop Career Center and for the One–Stop itself. Navigators are always looking for resources that can assist youth with disabilities who are transitioning from high school into post secondary education and the workplace. This is especially true for youth with non–visible disabilities. The transition from high school to college and the workplace can pose special challenges for students with learning disabilities. The National Center on Learning Disabilities (N.C.L.D.) can help navigate the sometimes rough waters surrounding the transition to college or the workplace for teens and young adults with learning disabilities. On this section of the website, you can find recommendations and strategies for students and parents; the N.C.L.D. Parent Advocacy Brief on strategic planning; the Planning for Transition checklist, and other resources.
It is tax season, do individuals that are coming to the One–Stop Career Service know about a very important tax credit called the Earned Income Tax Credit (E.I.T.C.), which is a refundable federal income tax credit for low–income working individuals and families? Many individuals with disabilities, even those that receive Social Security disability beneficiaries, can benefit from this tax credit. This website includes information on determining eligibility.
Probably one of the most common questions that Navigators and One–Stop business services staff receive is how do I communicate and interact with individuals with disabilities in the workplace? The D.O.L. Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has developed a fact sheet on Tips for Speaking or Writing about People with Disabilities, which states that ‘A key to any effective communication is to focus on the communication itself – what information needs to be transmitted and how best to transmit it.’ This fact sheet includes examples of appropriate and inappropriate phrases to describe persons with disabilities.
We know today that assistive technology can accommodate many different disabilities to increase participation in home, work, school and community settings; however, affording the assistive technology often proves difficult for individuals with disabilities and their families. The high price of assistive technology frequently may place these devices out of reach for many who have disabilities. To respond to the pressing need for A.T. funding options, Congress has supported the establishment and operation of state–based Alternative Financing Programs (A.F.Ps). A.F.Ps have provided an essential financial service to people with disabilities by offering a variety of affordable A.T. loans during the past five years. In addition to federal funding, states that operate A.F.Ps pay a portion of the program costs through state funds or private contributions. This is a great resource to connect with your One–Stop Career Center staff as well as mandated and community partners. Click on the U.R.L. to locate your state contact: http://www.resna.org/AFTAP/state/index.html.
Having opportunities to participate in your community, a work or school setting are great, but not so much if you do not have accessible and flexible transportation to get there. Easter Seals Project ACTION (ESPA) staff answer questions about A.D.A. rights and responsibilities, direct you to additional resources, and in many other ways help members of the disability and transportation communities address diverse accessibility issues.
The ODEP Alliance Initiative is a cooperative program which enables organizations committed to improving disability workplace practices to work with the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) to develop policies, initiatives and strategies that increase recruiting, hiring, advancing and retaining workers with disabilities. Groups that can form an Alliance with ODEP include trade and professional associations, businesses, labor unions, educational institutions, Federal, state and local government agencies and others.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) launched an Alliance Initiative by signing an agreement with the Society for Human Resource Management (S.H.R.M.) as the first Alliance partner. S.H.R.M. and ODEP have made a commitment to work together to encourage and promote the employment of people with disabilities. The Alliance Initiative is open to both public and private–sector organizations that would like to work with ODEP to enhance the recruitment, hiring, employment and advancement of people with disabilities.
Access the D.O.L. press release on the launch of the Alliance Initiative at:
http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20070354.htm
This Center provides information on autism from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C.D.C.). The site includes an overview of Autism, Frequently Asked Questions, and resources for a wide array of audiences including practitioners, families, educators, and researchers.
Join more than 3,000 of your colleagues from across the country in attending Workforce Innovations 2007, July 17 – 19, 2007 at the Kansas City (MO) Convention Center. Workforce Innovations, the premier annual conference for local, state, and national workforce, business, economic development, and education leaders, provides an important opportunity to share common experiences and challenges in building a highly skilled and adaptable workforce.
Workforce Innovations is co–sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration and the American Society for Training & Development. This year’s conference theme, Beyond Boundaries, will explore ways in which regional partners can collaborate and innovate to break down boundaries – be they historical, geographical, political, or financial – to create a competitive workforce advantage.
Whether you’re involved in Regional Economic Competitiveness, Workforce System Transformation, or Lifelong Talent Development, you will come away energized and equipped with the tools and strategies you need to succeed. The Plenary Sessions, Town Halls, and Learning Labs — plus the Conference’s dynamic exhibit area — will engage you throughout. Workforce Innovations promises to be a true catalyst for innovative thinking +and creativity!
Conference features already in the works include sessions targeted on going ‘beyond the boundaries’ in youth development and with apprenticeship programs; a Business Day on July 18 packed with information and speakers of special interest for employers and human resource professionals; a focus on rural economies, and on talent development partnerships with community colleges and universities; discussions of current legislative, policy and regulatory issues, and much more.
And you’re going to love Kansas City. The city is a model of economic transformation, with new restaurants, museums, and cultural attractions. Visit the conference web site regularly for exciting conference updates and for more about what’s happening in Kansas City.
Online registration is now open! Register early at www.WorkforceInnovations.org and take advantage of the early bird discount rate.
The transition from high school to college and the workplace can pose special challenges for students with learning disabilities. Careful planning and cooperation among parents, educators and students with L.D. is essential to overcome the many barriers that arise when these students leave high school for post–secondary education, vocational training, and other options as young adults in society. N.C.L.D. can help navigate the sometimes rough waters surrounding the transition to college or the workplace for teens and young adults with learning disabilities.
On this section of the website, you can find recommendations and strategies for students and parents; the N.C.L.D. Parent Advocacy Brief on strategic planning; the Planning for Transition checklist, and other resources.
The Earned Income Tax Credit (E.I.T.C.), sometimes called the Earned Income Credit (E.I.C.), is a refundable federal income tax credit for low–income working individuals and families. This website includes information on determining eligibility.
{The following is excerpted from the fact sheet.]
Tips for Speaking or Writing about People with Disabilities A key to any effective communication is to focus on the communication itself — what information needs to be transmitted and how best to transmit it. Positive language empowers. When writing or speaking about people with disabilities, it is important to put the person first – to focus on the person, not the disability. Group designations, such as “the blind,” “the deaf” or “the disabled” are not empowering. It is important to use words that reflect individuality, equality or dignity – the person who is blind, the child who is deaf, the individual with a disability, for example. This fact sheet includes examples of appropriate and inappropriate phrases to describe persons with disabilities.
Affording the assistive technology that can increase participation in home, work, school and community settings often proves difficult for individuals with disabilities and their families. The high price of assistive technology (A.T.) frequently may place these devices out of reach for many who have disabilities. The necessary technology may include costly equipment such as power wheelchairs and other mobility devices, communication equipment, specialized computers, home accessibility modifications, and adapted cars and vans. Moreover, many other possible funding sources, such as health insurance and vocational rehabilitation programs, currently may not pay for most A.T. devices.
To respond to the pressing need for AT funding options, Congress has supported the establishment and operation of state–based Alternative Financing Programs (A.F.Ps). A.F.Ps have provided an essential financial service to people with disabilities by offering a variety of affordable A.T. loans during the past five years. In addition to federal funding, states that operate A.F.Ps pay a portion of the program costs through state funds or private contributions.
A federal–state endeavor to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities has begun to be implemented in states across the nation. The Tele–work Program — an important component of the President’s New Freedom Initiative for People with Disabilities — has provided federal grants to 20 states to establish Telework financial loan programs. The federal Telework grants have created state–based loan programs that aid individuals with disabilities in purchasing equipment that facilitates
Access the U.R.L. to find your state contact.
Easter Seals Project ACTION (E.S.P.A.) welcomes questions about accessibility and transportation services. Information and resources are available Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (E.T.) at (800) 659–6428 (voice). The FAQ page is available all the time. Both online and on the phone, ESPA staff answer questions about A.D.A. rights and responsibilities, direct you to additional resources, and in many other ways help members of the disability and transportation communities address diverse accessibility issues.
In 2004, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (E.T.A.) developed a new strategic vision to serve at–risk youth in response to the 2003 White House Taskforce Report on Disadvantaged Youth. It also formed the Shared Youth Vision Federal Collaborative Partnership, whose members include the U.S. Departments of Labor, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Justice, Education, Transportation; the U.S. Social Security Administration; and the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Partnership’s website includes information on the partners, Youth Vision Activities, and Regional Forums, as well as a Solutions Desk and Resource Materials.
The Arc recently re–designed its website to be more dynamic and interactive. It represents ‘the creation of an online community for a global audience in search of information about The Arc.’ The site contains innovative and vibrant elements, replete with rotating images against the familiar Arc blue tones. From the homepage, visitors to the site can navigate more efficiently to areas of interest without scrolling through a lengthy page.
New features will be added continuously and when you register for free as a member, you’ll have access to countless online tools:
The Greater Richmond Chamber (G.R.C.) understands that for a region to prosper, all facets of its economic development system must work in synchronicity. The chamber has tackled economic development from all sides, providing programs that focus on youth and adult education, community collaboration, and executive training. Recently, G.R.C. released its first Workforce Services Directory. This comprehensive publication includes all community resources available for recruiting and hiring new workers, retaining existing employees, and providing human resources support. This resource covers workforce initiatives throughout the Greater Richmond region and information related to transportation, health care, and other work supports. To make this Workforce Services Directory user–friendly, it is available online with hot links to all listings. There is no easier way to get workforce resources in Richmond than with this directory!
This directory serves as a useful model for chambers that are interested in taking a first step toward enhancing their local workforce development systems. The Greater Richmond Chamber is an example of how the public and private sectors can collaborate for economic success.