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.

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

Fact Sheet: Workplace Accommodations: Low Cost, High Impact Job Accommodation Network UPDATED: September 2009

Fact Sheet: Workplace Accommodations: Low Cost, High Impact Job Accommodation Network UPDATED: September 2009

Auxiliary Aids and Services for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities: Higher Education's Obligations Under Section 504 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights Revised Sept 1998

The Office for Civil Rights provides information on postsecondary schools' obligations to provide auxiliary aids to qualified students who have disabilities under Section 504 and Title II of the ADA. It includes examples of different types of auxiliary aids and services including a section on "Questions Commonly Asked by Postsecondary Schools and Their Students."

Find an Assistive Technology Resource Center in Your State

State Assistive Technology (AT) Act programs work to improve access to assistive technology for individuals with disabilities through comprehensive statewide programs. These programs include device loans, AT reuse, device demonstrations and state financing activities. For examples of how some states have helped people with disabilities get assistive technology visit the website of the Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP at http://www.ataporg.org/atap/projects.php. For a listing of AT manufacturers and distributors in your state visit ABLEDATA at http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm?pageid=160163&ksectionid=19326.

Employer Resources - DPN FAQ's - U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration National Technical Assistance Project

How do I begin to build relationships with community service providers and sustain these relationships?How do I represent and educate employers on the ADA, reasonable accommodations, and hiring/retaining individuals with disabilities?

Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC)/Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 2 Part Webinar Series

The Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC) National Network of 10 regional ADA Centers provides the most complete and experienced services for up-to-date information, referrals, resources, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to businesses, employers, government entities, and individuals with disabilities. Technical assistance specialists provide information and answer questions on employment, architectural access, effective communication and other issues. This two-part series provides: An overview of the services, resources and supports available to DPNs, One-Stop Career Center staff, partners and employers through the ten regional DBTAC ADA Centers. Updates on the New ADA Amendments the President signed into law on September 25, 2008. An ADA Primer for Workforce Professionals: Title I of the ADA -Employment; Title II of the ADA "Public Entities; Who is Covered by the ADA; Essential Job Functions and Qualifications; Reasonable Accommodations; Disclosure; and Disability Etiquette.

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) 2 Part Webinar Series

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a free consulting service designed to increase the employability of people with disabilities by: Providing individualized worksite accommodations solutions, Providing technical assistance regarding the ADA and other disability related legislation, and Educating callers about self-employment options. This two-part series provides both an overview and an in-depth exploration of the Job Accommodation Network. Part I covers basic information on the services and resources that JAN provides. Part II shares situations and solutions using real life examples of training and employment related accommodations provided to students, job seekers, and employees with disabilities

Reaching Out to Customers with Disabilities – an online ADA course for businesses U.S. Department of Justice

This course explains how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to businesses into ten short lessons: Lesson One: Policies, practices and procedures Lesson Two: Communicating with customers who have disabilities Lesson Three: New Buildings, additions, and remodeling Lesson Four: Removing barriers in buildings that are not being remodeled Lesson Five: Providing access when removing barriers is not readily achievable Lesson Six: Maintaining accessibility Lesson Seven: Transporting customers Lesson Eight: ADA compliance costs and tax incentives Lesson Nine: Enforcement of the ADA Lesson Ten: Information Sources

Employment of Individuals with Disabilities U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for a Competitive Workplace

Implemented in collaboration with Virginia Commonwealth University, this five-year project focused on promoting the employment of individuals with disabilities The Institute for a Competitive Workplace: promoted materials, participated in national conferences and roundtables, convened experts, and disseminated information to chambers and their business members so they could better understand the facts and the resources available to support their employment of individuals with disabilities. The direct links to these publications/products are available on this website.

Employers and the ADA: Myths and Facts September 2005 U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy

Being inclusive of people with disabilities—in recruitment, retention, promotion, and in providing an accessible environment—gives businesses a competitive edge. This document includes some of the common myths about how the Americans with Disabilities Act affects employers and research and facts that negate them.

Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Business Connection U.S. Department of Justice

This website provides information targeted to employers on: Reaching out to customers with disabilities (online ADA course for businesses), ADA Video Gallery, Talk to an ADA specialist, ADA publications for businesses (including Expanding Your Market, Business Briefs, ADA Guide for Small Businesses, Checklists, ADA Questions and Answers, Standards for Accessible Design and ADA Regulations).

Business.gov: Employing People with Disabilities

Employers must comply with certain legal requirements concerning the accommodation of employees with disabilities. Beyond just complying with these requirements, an increasing number of employers are taking advantage of programs that encourage hiring and recruiting people with disabilities, as well as tax credits to help cover the cost of accommodations for employees with disabilities. This website includes information on the following: Americans with Disabilities Act Hiring People with Disabilities Employer Resources Employment Services Worksite Accommodations Federal Tax Incentives Vocational Rehabilitation

Employers & EEOC U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

This website includes links for Employers about equal employment opportunity EEO). Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) cover all private employers, state and local governments, and education institutions that employ 15 or more individuals. These laws also cover private and public employment agencies, labor organizations, and joint labor management committees controlling apprenticeship and training. EEO Survey Small Businesses EEOC Investigations Mediation For more information on Employers and other entities covered by EEO laws, access http://www.eeoc.gov/abouteeo/overview_coverage.html

ADA Information and Technical Assistance U.S. Department of Justice

Central web resource for information and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including: The text of the law and subsequent regulations, guides, technical manuals, and links to federal agencies with ADA responsibilities, and informational publications. Information about the ADA through a toll-free ADA Information Line. This service permits businesses, state and local governments, or others to call and ask questions about general or specific ADA requirements including questions about the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. ADA specialists are available Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM until 5:30 PM (eastern time) except on Thursday when the hours are 12:30 PM until 5:30 PM. Spanish language service is also available. ADA Information Line: 800-514-0301(voice) / 800-514-0383 (TTY)

DBTAC National Network of ADA Centers

The Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC) is a national network of 10 regional DBTAC: ADA Centers that provide the most complete and experienced services for up-to-date information, referrals, resources, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to businesses, employers, government entities, and individuals with disabilities. Maintain a national toll free information line, (800) 949-4232 (V/TTY), and each DBTAC responds to calls generated from within its regional service area. Technical assistance includes information and answers to questions on employment, architectural access, effective communication and other issues. Training programs ranging from Web courses to on-site, customized sessions for employers, government agencies, disability organizations, architectural firms and others. Maintain an online, searchable database of ADA and disability-related publications, ranging from legal documents to user-friendly fact sheets and checklists. Contact your regional DBTAC ADA Center: 800-949-4232 (V/TTY) http://www.adata.org/network/index.html

Job Accommodation Network

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) facilitates the employment and retention of workers with disabilities by providing employers, employment providers, people with disabilities, their family members and other interested parties with information on job accommodations, entrepreneurship, and related subjects. JAN provides information regarding job accommodations, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the employment of people with disabilities. JAN consultants provide individualized worksite accommodation consultation and training through its toll free number and electronic services. Phone: (800)526-7234(V)/(877) 781-9403 (TTY) E-mail:jan@jan.wvu.edu

Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC)/Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 2 Part Webinar Series

The Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC) National Network of 10 regional ADA Centers provides the most complete and experienced services for up-to-date information, referrals, resources, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to businesses, employers, government entities, and individuals with disabilities. Technical assistance specialists provide information and answer questions on employment, architectural access, effective communication and other issues. This two-part series provides: An overview of the services, resources and supports available to DPNs, One-Stop Career Center staff, partners and employers through the ten regional DBTAC ADA Centers. Updates on the New ADA Amendments the President signed into law on September 25, 2008. An ADA Primer for Workforce Professionals: Title I of the ADA -Employment; Title II of the ADA "Public Entities; Who is Covered by the ADA; Essential Job Functions and Qualifications; Reasonable Accommodations; Disclosure; and Disability Etiquette.

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) 2 Part Webinar Series

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a free consulting service designed to increase the employability of people with disabilities by: Providing individualized worksite accommodations solutions, Providing technical assistance regarding the ADA and other disability related legislation, and Educating callers about self-employment options. This two-part series provides both an overview and an in-depth exploration of the Job Accommodation Network. Part I covers basic information on the services and resources that JAN provides. Part II shares situations and solutions using real life examples of training and employment related accommodations provided to students, job seekers, and employees with disabilities.