Study Report on Accessible Transportation Projects
The Center for Workforce and Disabilities, American Public Human Services Association, recently issued a Report, entitled "Getting to Work: A Case Study Report on Accessible Transportation Projects." A lack of reliable, accessible, and affordable transportation is consistently cited as a barrier to employment by people with disabilities. The four Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG) transportation projects (Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New Jersey) profiled in this Report illustrate a set of promising practices that address transportation needs. Although the MIG grants are not intended to provide or fund direct transportation services, state MIGs are well-positioned to use their resources to create linkages with other agencies and entities engaged in accessible transportation planning and service delivery. The four projects described in this Report suggest a set of strategies and activities that can help advance accessible transportation in states and in communities.
Posted On :
08/26/10 07:42PM
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ADA, 20 Years Later
The 2010 Survey of Americans with Disabilities, conducted by the Kessler Foundation/National Organization on Disability, is the sixth effort over the past 24 years to: assess the quality of life of people with disabilities on a wide range of critical dimensions; measure the gaps between people with and without disabilities on these indicators; and track them over time. This year, three new indicators were added: technology, access to mental health services, and overall financial situation. While there has been modest improvement in a few areas, the general implication of the indicators is that twenty years after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act there has yet to be significant progress in most areas. This lack of progress is especially true in the employment area. The Report states: "Employment rates for people with disabilities and without disabilities seem to be affected similarily by the economic recession, meaning that this is still the area where people with disabilities seem to be at the greatest disadvantage compared to the rest of the population...Among all working age (18-64) people with disabilities, only 21% say that they are employed full or part-time, compared to 59% of working age people without disabilities-a gap of 38 percentage points...People with disabilities report that they are still much more likely than people without disabilities to be living in poverty..." A summary of the survey can be downloaded in PDF format.
Posted On :
08/12/10 11:56AM
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40
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Video: AccessAbilities
Ernst & Young is dedicated to creating a supportive environment for people working who have disabilities. It provides a variety of accommodations and sponsors a People Resource Network, AccessAbilities. Ernst & Young has been repeatedly recognized as one of America's most supportive and progressive workplaces for people with disabilities. This four minute video profiles several of the company's employees with disabilities and their reflection on their disabilities, vis-a-vis the work place. The video can be accessed by donwloading this link: http://tiny.cc/larjf.
Posted On :
08/11/10 11:35AM
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74
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Society for Human Resource Management Disability Employment Resource Page
Society for Human Resource Management Disability Employment Resource Page http://www.shrm.org/hrdisciplines/Diversity/Articles/Pages/disability_072110.aspx The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) created this resource page with employers in mind. Here you will find a wealth of resources, articles and links to help source, recruit, retain and develop people with disabilities, a pool of talent too often overlooked by employers. A selection of videos features experts in the field of disability employment who have been interviewed by SHRM. Each begins with a brief audio description so that those with visual impairments can "see" the video, while scrolling text next to the video image enables those with hearing impairments to "hear" the video. Individuals who have reading-related challenges can simply ignore all the text and enjoy the audio/video portions of each presentation.
Posted On :
08/05/10 09:15PM
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46
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Promising Practices… Achieving a more welcoming, integrated and accessible One-Stop Career Center system
As one of the key principles of WIA, universal access offered the promise of a welcoming, integrated, and user-friendly system. Job seekers would be able to independently tap into all available employment services, resulting in fewer requests for specialized assistance and more efficient use of staff resources. Under WIA and the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations would be provided upon request; however, One-Stop Career Centers would streamline services so that a wide-ranging population of job seekers, including job seekers with disabilities, would have direct access to their resources, programs and activities. With the addition of Disability Program Navigators (DPNs) in One-Stop Career Centers across the nation, universal access moved into the spotlight. Read the full Brief to learn how DPNs throughout the country are helping to expand universal access in One-Stop Career Centers for a more diverse population of job seekers.
Posted On :
06/29/10 03:42PM
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170
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Educating Employers About Hiring/Retaining Persons with Disabilities
As part of ongoing technical assistance to for the Disability Program Navigator Initiative, NDI Consulting Inc. hosted a recent webinar, Employer 30-Second Training Series and Resource Guide. This webinar provided an overview of the newly developed Employer 30-Second Training Series which includes eighteen 30-Second Trainings in the following four categories: 1) Compliance Benefits 2) ADA Basics 3) Recruitment and Hiring Strategies, and 4) Employment Basics. What is a 30-Second Training 30-Second Trainings are short, easy and fun and are designed to increase knowledge of disability and employment related issues. They should only take about 30 seconds to review and include national, reputable resources for follow up information. The resources—Employer 30 Second Training Series and Resource Guide—were developed to be used by those with an employer focus and were designed to educate employers, hiring managers and supervisors about proven strategies and easy-to-use resources that can assist in retaining and accommodating existing employees who experience the onset of a disability. These tools will also provide valuable information and sources of support to employers in hiring qualified employees who experience a disability, including strategies and resources that can assist in effectively accommodating all employees in achieving their maximum potential and productivity level.
Posted On :
05/24/10 08:41PM
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175
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61
How Students with Disabilities Can Prepare for College
How Students with Disabilities Can Prepare for College Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology (DO-IT) Program https://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Academics/college.html This publication addresses issues surrounding the transitions from high school to college and beyond for people with disabilities. It covers three phases: • Preparing for college while in high school. • Staying in college, which requires numerous self-management skills. • Preparing to move beyond college and into a career. Preparing for College: An Online Tutorial https://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Academics/cprep.html College Survival Skills: Tips for Students with Disabilities to Increase College Success https://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Academics/survival.html
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05/21/10 01:53PM
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140
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A Quick Reference Guide on Assessments
A Quick Reference Guide on Assessment National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth http://www.ncwd-youth.info/assets/guides/quick_reference_guides/assessment.pdf This two-page reference guide describes formal and informal assessments, standardized testing and the process of collecting information that can be used in decision-making, career-planning and service plan development for a young person.
Posted On :
04/23/10 04:42AM
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153
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61
Hiring Workers wiht Disabilities
According to a report published in the February 2010 edition of Training and Development Magazine, the number one barrier individuals with disabilities face when attempting to enter the workforce involves attitudes of supervisors and co-workers, at every corporate level. Although the report states that inclusion of employees with disabilities can reduce turnover, boost consumer loyalty, and qualify employers for financial incentives, individuals with disabilities in general are still experiencing a tremendously high rate of unemployment. Currently only about 21.8% of the total population of people with disabilities are employed. The report also discusses many misconceptions about workers with disabilities including those related to cost of accommodations, job performance, turnover, consumer awareness, and legal implications. Full Story: Sam Ali, Myth-Busting: Hiring Workers with Disabilities, Diversity Inc., March 1, 2010, available at http://diversityinc.com/article/7190/MythBusting-Hiring-Workers-With-Disabilities The report is available at http://www.cessi.net/ttw/MarketingMaterials/FactSheets/EN_HandbookforEmployers.pdf
Posted On :
04/12/10 12:08PM
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201
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OIG Report in DOL's Efforts to Provide Access to Persons with Disabilities
U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General Employment and Training Administration (ETA) Audit Reports http://www.oig.dol.gov/cgi-bin/oa_rpts.cgi?s=&y=all&a=03 Information on DOL's Efforts to Ensure Access for Persons with Disabilities to the One-Stop Career System Report No. 25-10-001-03-390 (March 10, 2010) Access the website above and then search for the report titled “Information on DOL's Efforts to Ensure Access for Persons with Disabilities to the One-Stop Career System.” The full report is 13.5 MBs. The attachment represents a one-page summary that includes a link to the full report.
Posted On :
04/05/10 12:58PM
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166
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People with Disabilities in the Workplace
People with Disabilities in the Workplace Southeast ADA Center http://sedbtac.org/ada/ada_in_action/empprofiles.php Facts and figures about employees with disabilities — tell only one part of the story. Every month an employee profile provides a real-life view of employees with disabilities in the workplace — their reliability, their skills, and the low-cost of reasonable accommodations. Access the link to view this month’s profile-- Rene C. - Executive Director of the Alliance of Disability Advocates—as well as to view previous profiles.
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03/24/10 03:47PM
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200
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One-Stop Career Centers/Workforce Institute for Community Inclusion Web site
One-Stop Careers Centers/Workforce Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts-Boston http://www.communityinclusion.org/topic.php?topic_id=9 For over 40 years, the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) has worked to ensure that people with disabilities have the same opportunity to dream big, and make their dreams a fully included, integrated, and welcomed reality. As a leader not only in Massachusetts, but also nationally and internationally, ICI strives to create a world where all people with disabilities are welcome and fully included in valued roles wherever they go, whether a school, workplace, volunteer group, home, or any other part of the community. ICI projects and programs involve local, state, and national agencies, schools, institutes of higher education, national service programs, rehabilitation providers, multicultural organizations, employers, and many others. All of these partnerships work to further goals of independence and inclusion. This section of its website includes its work to help the general employment system reach job seekers with disabilities through comprehensive research, training, and consultation activities nationwide.
Posted On :
03/14/10 09:13AM
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238
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Universal Access in the Workforce System
Universal Access and the Workforce System Under Title I of WIA, the workforce system provides the framework for delivery of workforce activities at the state and local levels to individuals who need those services. This legislation made it clear that persons with disabilities are among the people who are supposed to benefit from this restructuring. WIA incorporates seven key principles, one focuses on universal access: All job seekers are to be given universal access to a core set of career decision-making and job search tools. The National Disability Program Navigator (DPN) Program Office has completed another information brief in its DPN Promising Practice Series focusing on universal access and the workforce investment system. A series of videos and information briefs has been developed to disseminate promising practices to expand the capacity of the One-Stop Career Center system to serve customers with disabilities and promote positive employment outcomes of people with disabilities. To learn more, access: http://disability.workforce3one.org/page/tag/promising_practices The Attachment highlights additional resources on universal design.
Posted On :
03/09/10 12:09PM
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159
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Equal Access: Universal Design of Instruction
DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) serves to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers, including STEM education and careers. It is funded by the National Science Foundation to promote persons with disabilties becoming trained for STEM career opportunitues. The home Web page is: http://www.washington.edu/doit/ Its Web site has many videos, information on universal design, acessible distance learning, and learning strategies.
Posted On :
02/07/10 09:27PM
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307
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85
National Network of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Centers
The ADA National Network is a network of 10 regional ADA Centers thta provide expertise for up-to-date information, referrals, resources, and training on the Americans with Disabilites Act (ADA) to business, government entities, and persons with disabilities. http://www.adata.org/network.org
Posted On :
01/31/10 09:38AM
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246
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Enhancing Employment Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities
The International Association of Jewish Vocational Services (AJVS)published a Report entitled, "Enhancing Employment Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities: An Employer-Directed Approach." This toolkit is a compilation of information, resources, and tools that can be used to implement or strengthen an "employer-directed approach" to job training and placement for organizations serving people with disabilities and the employers that hire them.
Posted On :
01/29/10 01:27PM
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537
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Funding Sources for Assistive Technology for Persons with Disabilities
Assistive technology devices and assistive technology service are defined in the Assistive Technology Act (ATA) of 1998, as follows: • Assistive Technology Device-Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially or off-the-shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capacities of individuals with disabilities. • Assistive technology service: Any service that directly assist an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology service. There are several funding sources to assist with paying of assistive technology for individuals with disabilities, including funding by the employer (tax credits are available for the employer), Vocational Rehabilitation, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security Work Incentives, Veteran’s Administration, local service, charitable, religious, and civic organizations, private foundations, and private insurance. The attached provides a list of Web sites for variety of information on assistive technology and funding sources for persons with disabilities.
Posted On :
01/24/10 09:38AM
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372
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Students witth Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
The Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, just issued a new publication, " Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities." This pamphlet explains the rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities who are planning or preparing to attend postsecondary schools. It also explains the obligations of a postsecondary school to provdie academic adjustments, accommodations, auxilary aids and services, to ensure that the school does not discriminate on the basis of disability.
Posted On :
01/16/10 06:18AM
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334
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Successful Employer Implementation of the Federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
The Partnership for Workplace Mental Health, a program of the American Psychiatric Foundation,advances effective employer approaches to mental health issues that impact the workplace. There is a compelling business case for effective treatment of mental health disabilities because of their high prevelance in the workplace and their impact on the corporate bottom line when left untreated. The Partnership has just issued a Brief for employers on successful implementation of the new Federal Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. Case studies from various companies-JPMorgan Chase, DuPont, Weingarten Realty Investors, and Houston Chronicle-are included in this Brief. Visit the Partnership's Web site: http://www.workplacementalhealth.org. It has a variety of useful resources, including calulators, briefs, web-sites, Toolkits, etc. for employers and employees.
Posted On :
12/31/09 02:34PM
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364
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98
Career-Focused Services for Students with Disabilities at Community Colleges
A report (March 2009), prepared by the National Collaborative on Workforce & Disability for Youth and the Workforce Strategy Center, examined the efforts of community colleges to meet the local workforce development needs of employers and promoting career opportunities for students with disabilities.