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Transition Tidbits
Transition News and ResourcesDecember 2013
In This Issue
Training: MT, Online
Training: Other States
MT News
Announcements
Employment
Health
National News
Post-Secondary
Social Security
Technology
Transition
Web Sites

Learning Opportunities: Montana and Online

 

Mobile Devices to Support Transition for Persons with ASD with Tony Gentry

Join these free VisionNet sessions (or view the archived sessions online):

 

November 18 (archived): Interview with an expert - a vocational specialist discusses her experience using handhelds as cognitive aids with people who have autism.

 

December 16 (archived): Apps for us - Apps and strategies to make YOUR work easier (office/organizational apps for educators and clinicians).

 

January 13: PDAs for PBS - Apps as positive behavioral support tools.

 

February 17: Field Reports - Group discussion of how using the strategies taught in the workshop is playing out in participant's work.

 

All sessions run from 4:30-5:30 PM Mountain Time. OPI renewal units are available. Register on the Montana Professional Development Portal  (Course ID# 3393).   

 

ADA Live! is a free monthly internet radio show broadcast by the Southeast ADA Center.  The live call-in show can be heard the first Wednesday of each month from 1:00-1:30 PM Eastern Time. On January 8, 2014, the discussion will be about Effective Communication.  Recordings of past episodes, including a transcript, resources and more information are available at adalive.org.

 

Providing Reasonable Accommodations for People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing [Video]

This free online training module was produced by the Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program at the Department of Defense.

 

Think College LEARN offers self-paced learning modules on topics related to postsecondary education for students with intellectual disabilities.

 

The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Employment of People with Physical Disabilities Webcast Series begins February 13, 2014. Visit the RRTC website for session details and registration information. 

 

Basic PECS   

January 13-14, 2013

9:00-5:00 Mountain Time

Charlo, MT

Cost: $75

This intensive two-day training is designed to teach participants the theory behind the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and the protocols for how to appropriately implement the six phases of PECS. PECS is used to rapidly teach communication skills to those with limited functional speech.   Register on Montana Professional Development Portal Course ID# 3434.  

 

Real Work for Real Pay for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders

January 20-February 17, 2014

Cost: $200

This course will highlight the best practices that facilitate employment outcomes for individuals with ASD. Participants will learn about the concepts related to implementing high quality individualized supported employment services.

 

The Discovery of Intervention Strategies to Improve Employment Outcomes for High Risk Youth with Disabilities: A Secondary Analysis of the NLTS2 - Part 1  

January 22, 2014

11:00 AM-12:00 PM MT

The Center on Transition to Employment invites you to a two-part informational webinar on a secondary analysis of the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2 (NLTS2). The first part of this research discusses a data mining strategy used to identify groups of youth who are at-risk of lower employment based on their non-modifiable characteristics. The second part of this research focuses on finding modifiable characteristics that are important predictors of employment for each of these groups.   

 

The Discovery of Intervention Strategies to Improve Employment Outcomes for High Risk Youth with Disabilities: A Secondary Analysis of the NLTS2 - Part 2  

January 29, 2014

11:00 AM-12:00 PM MT

The Center on Transition to Employment invites you to a two-part informational webinar on a secondary analysis of the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2 (NLTS2). The first part of this research discusses a data mining strategy used to identify groups of youth who are at-risk of lower employment based on their non-modifiable characteristics. The second part of this research focuses on finding modifiable characteristics that are important predictors of employment for each of these groups.

 

Improving Seizure Outcomes through Online Seizure Diaries

January 29, 2014 

12:00-1:00 PM MT

The Arc will present an informative webinar about a new health tool, SeizureTracker.com. This innovative website and mobile app is designed to help people with frequent seizures and epilepsy to understand the relationship between their seizures, medications, dosages, and daily variables to help reduce seizure activity and understand the triggers.

 

Customized Employment

February 17-March 17, 2014   

Cost: $125

This course will take a closer look at customized employment and how it can facilitate employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. It will also review strategies for collaboration and braiding funding to support the needs of an individual with a disability in order to be successfully employed in the community.

 

Using Principles of Discovery and Career Enhancement

February 18-March 3, 2014

Cost: $159

This 2-week, 18-hour web training focuses on developing career paths through innovative vocational assessment, career development skills, and vocational profiling for youth and adults with disabilities.

 

Job Development

February 24-March 24, 2014

Cost: $125

This course covers specific principles associated with job development via online lectures and readings and then requires the learner to take action on his or her behalf to further develop a particular skill.

 

Supported Employment Web-Based Certificate Series

March 3-May 26, 2014

Cost: $325

 

Transition to Work for Individuals with Autism

March 10-April 21, 2014

Cost: $300.05

This course will provide the participant with an in-depth understanding of the concepts related to positive transition planning for youth with autism.

 

Self-Employment: A Customized Career Strategy for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders

April 8, 2014

12:00-1:00 PM MT

Self-employment offers an alternative work option that enables individuals with ASD to pursue their specialized interests in a work context; market their knowledge and skills creatively; integrate a variety of accommodations into the design of their business; and customize a sustainable and productive career path. JAN Consultants will discuss the self-employment option focusing both on the development of the business itself, as well as potential accommodations in a small business context.

 

Learning Opportunities: Other States
   

2014 AMCHP Annual Conference
January 25-28, 2014
Washington, DC
The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs Annual Conference will feature more than 100 sessions  led by researchers, federal officials, family and  youth leaders, advocates, healthcare providers, and directors  of state programs.

   

Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) Conference

January 29-February 1, 2014

Orlando, Florida

Learn the latest cutting edge information, products, services and best practices in AT for service professionals serving children, students and adults with disabilities. Hear first-hand from product leaders and successful practitioners how AT is a transformative power for the services they provide and the individuals with disabilities they serve.  

 

2014 National Wraparound Conference: Waves of Change in Wraparound and Systems of Care

March 11-13, 2014

Cocoa Beach, FL

This conference will empower individuals and partnerships, providing an inclusive and dynamic forum to foster peer networks, share information, and build skills while facilitating interactive dialogue and discussion.

 

   

 

 
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Welcome to the latest edition of Transition Tidbits. We hope you find the news and resources in this issue useful as you support young Montanans with disabilities in their transition to adult lives.

Montana News

Do you need a last minute gift idea?  The tickets to the Montana Youth Leadership Forum (MYLF) Murder Mystery are now on sale!  "Death at Dodge City" takes the stage February 8, 2014, as MYLF hosts a "murder mystery" fundraising event at the Lewis & Clark Fairgrounds Entry Hall.   There will be two offerings, one at 2:00 PM and another at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $30 per person or two for $50. Funds raised will be used to sponsor youth to attend the 2014 Forum, purchase iPads, and create a promotional video that can recruit more youth to MYLF. Tickets can be purchased by emailing June Hermanson at [email protected] or calling 406-442-2576. 

 

Is your organization interested in learning more about accessible voting? Do you know of others (such as polling center volunteers) that might want training? MonTECH staff members are working to educate as many people as possible on the AutoMARK accessible voting machine. MonTECH has a portable machine and demonstration ballots, and can provide training sessions at the Rural Institute or other locations. The AutoMARK machine can be accessed by multiple inputs and switches. It also has a braille keypad and has the capability to read the ballot to the voter. A headset is available, which can make ballot reading and selection private.  If you would like to schedule a training session, please contact Gary Colella by email or by phoning  406-243-2426.

 

Watch Montana's own Chris Clasby as he talks about and demonstrates accessible outdoor recreation on the PBS television show Backroads of Montana: Hook, Line, and Singer. Chris's segment starts at 19:55 in the show. 

 

The Rural Institute Transition and Employment Projects is pleased to announce four webinars scheduled for 2014. Interested individuals may participate from their own offices or homes, and there is no registration cost for any of the sessions. As training sessions are scheduled, invitations and registration instructions are emailed to Montana Transition Listserv members. To join the Montana Transition Listserv, go to the Transition and Employment Projects Home Page and enter your email address in the box provided.

 

January 14th, 1-2:30 (MST)
Systematic Instruction and Job Coaching--Part One

 

February 18th, 1-2:30 (MST)
Systematic Instruction and Job Coaching--Part Two

 

March 18th, 1-2:30 (MDT)
Planning Your Transition from Pediatric to Adult Health Care

 

May 13th, 1-2:30 (MDT)
Self-Management Strategies for People to Live and Work Independently

 

Announcements

Just in time for the holidays...read the Disability Scoop story about a rescued puppy that was recently named "Dog of the Year" for changing the life of a young boy with autism.

 

Disability.gov's December 2013 Disability Connection Newsletter features 10 Things You Need to Know to Save Money. Your clients/customers/students may benefit from the resources and programs mentioned in the newsletter.

 

Autism NOW: The National Autism Resource & Information Center has created a series of seven fact sheets offering information about topics such as employment, inclusion, IEPs, and Social Security.

 

Equity and Full Participation for Individuals with Severe Disabilities: A Vision for the Future explores a number of critical topics in the lives of people with severe disabilities, necessary reforms to policy and practice, and goals and priorities for improving early intervention, education, health care, behavior supports, and social services.

 

Magic Keys to Success [PDF] offers tips for working with a person living with prenatal alcohol exposure.

 

People with FASD Struggle to Get into the Workforce [Audio] is a CBC News interview in which John Rimore and James Gideon address the topic of people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in the workforce. The interview lasts approximately 8� minutes.

 

APSE has issued a Call for Proposals for the 25th annual conference, which will be held in Long Beach, California on July 1-3, 2014. The conference focuses exclusively on integrated employment of individuals with disabilities. The proposal submission deadline is January 15, 2014.

Employment

How to Keep a Job: The Young Adult's Guide [PDF] offers a variety of tips on professional conduct at work.

 

Models of Success: Employment for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder contains research findings from VCU-RRTC, which is funded by the National Institute on Disability & Rehabilitation Research. Topics covered include using the iPod Touch as Assistive Technology; college students with ASD and careers; transition-aged youth with ASD and community-based functional assessment; and much more.

 

Portable and Accessible Video Modeling: Teaching a Series of Novel Skills within School and Community Settings [PDF] by T. Taber-Doughty; B. Miller; J. Shurr; and B. Wiles (Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 48(2), 147-163) reports that students in the study showed increases in independent task completion and task transitions and decreases in transition durations when learning novel tasks using self-operated video modeling clips.

 

Comparison of the Effects of Video Modeling with Narration vs. Video Modeling on the Functional Skill Acquisition of Adolescents with Autism [PDF] by M. Smith; K. Ayres; L. Mechling; and K. Smith (Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 48(2), 164-178) reports the findings of a study comparing the effectiveness of video modeling that includes narration and video modeling without narration on the skills acquisition of four adolescent males with autism. Video modeling with narration was more efficient for two of the participants and was preferred by the other two, even though results indicated narration was not a critical component for the latter two subjects.

 

The Campaign for Disability Employment developed public service announcements to educate Americans about the importance of focusing on ability and setting goals for employment. The Youth Discussion Guide for the Campaign for Disability Employment's "I Can" PSA [PDF] is intended to help youth and adults plan and lead discussions in their communities about fostering employment expectations for all young adults, including those with disabilities.

 

Friends: Connecting People with Disabilities and Community Members [PDF] offers a variety of hands-on activities to build and support relationships between people with disabilities and other community members. Some of the worksheets may also be useful for determining employment connections and potential natural supports.

 

The Knowledge Translation for Employment Research Center at Virginia Commonwealth University maintains the Employment Research Database, a database of articles addressing interventions that lead to successful employment outcomes. The entries may be sorted by a variety of categories, including disability type, type of intervention, employment characteristics or outcomes measured, and more.

 

In Dale DiLeo's recent blog post on The Two Sides of the Employment First Coin, he discusses what must happen in order for Employment First advocacy efforts to succeed.

Health

Taking Charge: Tips for Youth with Special Health Care Needs offers tips to young adults as they transition from pediatric to adult health care. 

 

The Arc seeks caregiver views of the health status of the people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) they support. If you or someone you know is a professional, paid, unpaid or family member caregiver of someone with I/DD, please complete the Arc's short online survey.

 

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network's Policy Brief: Healthcare Transition for Youth with I/DD addresses the health care needs of autistic youth as they transition to adulthood.

 

The Kaiser Family Foundation subsidy calculator provides premium estimates for people who buy coverage through the new state health insurance marketplaces. By entering their ZIP code, income, age, family size and other factors into the calculator, consumers can get estimates of the tax subsidies and insurance premiums available to them if they were to purchase insurance through the marketplaces.
National News

StateData: The National Report on Employment Services and Outcomes 2012 [PDF] provides statistics over a 20-year period addressing the status of employment and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

 

The Disability System and Programs to Promote Employment for People with Disabilities by D. Wittenburg; D.R. Mann; and A. Thompkins (IZA Journal of Labor Policy, 2(4)) examines employment-focused interventions within the disability system, including demonstrations funded by the Social Security Administration, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

 

On December 11, 2013, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) released the 2013 Compendium on Disability Statistics. "The Compendium is a web-based tool that pools disability statistics published by various federal agencies together in one place."

Post-Secondary Education 

Empowering Leadership: A Systems Change Guide for Autistic College Students and Those with Other Disabilities [PDF] is a guide to campus activism written by and for students with disabilities. The book is co-published by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network and The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation.

 

Presentation materials, session handouts, and transcripts from the 2013 Inclusive Higher Education: Moving from Good Ideas to Great Outcomes conference are now available on the Think College! website.

 

The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) is accepting applications for its 2014 scholarship program. Scholarships of up to $3,000 are available for students with Autism to attend college, technical or vocational school, or cooperative life skills programs. To qualify, students must:

  • Have an established Autism diagnosis
  • Be attending an accredited institution of higher education in the United States for the Fall 2014/Spring 2015 semesters
  • Be enrolled on a full-time basis or be working toward certification or accreditation in a particular field (e.g., studying to be a paralegal, chef, etc.)
  • Apply by April 25, 2014
Social Security

Families/caregivers and service coordinators/case managers who have applied for SSI benefits (or assisted in the SSI application process) for an individual with intellectual or developmental disabilities are asked to complete an online survey about their experiences with the process. The survey asks about what is working well, challenges and recommendations for improvement. The purpose of the research is to improve the SSI system and application process. Responses are anonymous and will not affect the SSI benefits individuals receive. Survey participants are eligible for an incentive by lottery.

 

The newest Ticket to Work Success Story [Video] features Lisa Seeley discussing her experiences with panic disorder and agoraphobia.  After receiving career counseling and advice about employment accommodations, Lisa began a successful home-based job.   

Technology

Tongue Controller for the Paralyzed Offers Greater Independence shares the story of cutting-edge assistive technology.

 

Luke Comeau, Autism Specialist at the South Dakota Center for Disabilities Autism Spectrum Disorders program, hosts Luke's Office [Video], a new educational technology webinar series.

 

Beyond Communication: Using Eye Gaze Technology to Access the Computer by E. Walker (Closing the Gap Magazine, 32(2), 27-29) describes the PCEye Go and PCEye Pro, clip-on eye tracking devices which convert eye movement to a mouse cursor on the computer. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
Transition 

 Pre-graduation Transition Services for Improving Employment Outcomes among Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review reports the findings of an electronic search through 30 computerized databases to identify interventions that "predictably and positively supported the development of transition programs designed to produce employment outcomes for individuals with ASD." Although none of the 85 studies examined met all the inclusion criteria for full review, the authors did identify studies that addressed elements of potential successful employment placements.

 

Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Family Employment Awareness Training in Kansas: A Pilot Study by G. Francis; J.M.S. Gross; R. Turnbull; and W. Parent-Johnson (Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 38(1), 44-57) reports that the Kansas Family Employment Awareness Training (FEAT) program succeeded in raising expectations for competitive employment among people with disabilities, their families, and support professionals. FEAT also increased participants' knowledge about transition-to-employment services, supports and resources. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)

 

The Corporation for National and Community Service and the Office of Disability Employment Policy issued a Dear Colleague letter [PDF] promoting national service for youth, and describing how it can provide critical preparation for young people as they transition from school to employment.

 

Promise for the Future: How Federal Programs Can Improve the Career Outcomes for Youth and Young Adults with Serious Mental Health Conditions [PDF] examines federal programs that can provide assistance in meeting the educational, vocational, and basic supports needs of young people ages 16 to 30 with serious mental health conditions.A related compendium of fact sheets [PDF] is also available.
Web Sites

The National Institutes of Health website provides access to a wealth of health/mental health-related information.

 

MentalHealth.gov features easy-to-understand information about basic signs of mental health problems, how to talk about mental health, and how to find help.

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Please note: the Transition and Employment Projects at the University of Montana Rural Institute shares information and resources our listserv members may find of interest. We do not endorse the web sites or workshop contents or their providers, and we assume no responsibility for the validity of information provided on sites or in sessions not hosted by our agency.

 

This project is funded in whole or in part under a Contract with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The statements herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Department.