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Learning Opportunities: Montana and Online
The Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program offers a series of brief online training modules on providing reasonable accommodations for people with different types of disabilities, including vision and hearing, dexterity and cognitive disabilities.
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 March 5, 2014, the discussion will be about Voting Accessibility. Recordings of past episodes, including a transcript, resources and more information are available at adalive.org.
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.
It's 2014! Are There Still Institutions Open in Your State?
February 25, 2014
12:00-1:00 PM MT
This webinar brings together self-advocates and allies from several of the 13 states in the nation that have closed all institutions. Listen in as speakers discuss lessons learned and what the future holds.
Youth Advocate to Advocate for Youth: The Next Transition
February 25, 2014
11:00 AM-1:00 PM MT
This webinar identifies stages of development in the process of transition from "youth advocate" to "advocate for youth," research related to each stage, and guidance and tip sheets both for the young advocate in transition and the adults who provide professional development support.
Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
February 26, 2014
1:00-2:00 PM MT
This webinar will use a combination of information from the literature, retrospective chart review of children with a dual diagnosis and feedback from family and professional focus groups to assist the learner in understanding the unique needs of children who are deaf/hard of hearing with an autism spectrum disorder.
The Promise of Olmstead: Status of Assistive Technology Use in Planning for the Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
February 26, 2014
1:00-2:30 PM MT
How are statewide AT programs assisting with AT service provision and planning for individuals with intellectual disabilities? This webinar will explore the current status of transition efforts, available resources, and best practices.
Creating a new vision for your organization: Focusing on the future rather than the past
February 26, 2014
12:00-1:00 PM MT
Cost: $25 APSE Members/$50 Non-Members
Learn how two organizations that have provided "traditional" segregated, facility based services for individuals with disabilities embraced Employment First practices and have been working to change their business model.
Ticket to Work: Support Services for People Who Have a Disability and Are Ready to Work
February 26, 2014
1:00-2:30 PM MT
The free webinar provides an overview of the Ticket to Work program and describes the most commonly used Work Incentives.
Implications of HCBS Final Rule on Non-Residential Settings - The Impact of New HCBS Guidance on Employment & Day Services
February 27, 2014
12:00-2:00 PM MT
The webinar will include a brief presentation by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, followed by a highly interactive dialogue to address your questions on the impact of these Federal policy developments on state systems-change efforts related to improving integrated employment and community-based engagement of citizens with significant disabilities.
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.
Supporting the Sexual and Social Development of People with Intellectual Disability
March 12, 2014
12:00-1:00 PM MT
This webinar is intended to provide useful information and tips for parents, caregivers, and staff on engaging people with intellectual disability around their social and sexual development.
Ethics and the New Age of Social Media
March 18, 2014
1:00-2:00 PM MT
Cost: $25 APSE Members/$50 Non-Members
This webinar will review the ethical challenges facing employment services in the age of social media in light of the six CRC Ethical Principles.
Apples to Androids: Using Cool New Technology to Create Consumer Buy-In
March 20-May 1, 2014
Cost: $200
This course will provide an overview of each type of popular technology gadget and some of the applications most relevant to individuals with disabilities.
Marketing & Job Development for Youth and Adults with Disabilities
April 2-15, 2014
Cost: $159
This course focuses on the key principles and hands-on tools for finding jobs for people with disabilities and other high-unemployment groups.
Self-Employment: A Customized Career Strategy for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
April 8, 2014
12:00-1:00 PM MT
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.
Self-Determination: Past, Present, Future
June 12, 2014
12:00-12:45 PM MT
Cost: Varies
This webcast will give a brief history of self-determination, then focus on self-determination's important role in workplace support and employment issues.
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Learning Opportunities: Other States
2014 Disability Policy Seminar April 7-9, 2014 Washington, DC
This is an opportunity to hear from leading public policy experts, disability advocates and Congressional staff discussing current key policies important to the disability community. State of the Science - Advancing Evidence-Based Practices and Policies to Close the Employment Gap [PDF] April 8-9, 2014 Bethesda, Maryland |
The NIDRR-funded Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers on Evidence-Based Practice in Vocational Rehabilitation, Employment Policy and Measurement, and Individual Level Characteristics Related to Employment Among Individuals with Disabilities will share research that advances evidence-based practices and policies to close the employment gap between people with and without disabilities.
25th Annual APSE National Conference
July 1-3, 2014
Long Beach, California
This conference focuses exclusively on employment of people with disabilities in the general workforce and features nationally renowned keynote speakers and over 70 breakout sessions.
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Welcome to the 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.
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Montana News
The February 2014 Montana Autism Education Project Newsletter is now available. Learn about upcoming trainings, read MAEP blog posts, find out how to schedule a consultation, and more.
It's once again time for recruiting delegates and staff volunteers for the 2014 Montana Youth Leadership Forum. This year, 20 delegates will be chosen through a statewide competition that seeks students with disabilities who have leadership potential. Each applicant submits a standard form, an essay, and a letter of recommendation. The group that is selected is representative of the state in terms of geographic location, gender, economic status, ethnicity, and types of disabilities. Applications must be postmarked no later than April 4, 2014. The conference will be held July 21-25 on the Carroll College Campus in Helena, Montana.
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Announcements
On February 12, the President signed an Executive Order to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 for all individuals, including people with disabilities, working under service or concessions contracts with the federal government. The higher wage will apply to new contracts and replacements for expiring contracts put out for bid after January 1, 2015. The White House developed a fact sheet to provide additional information about the Executive Order.
Making Self-Employment Work for People with Disabilities, Second Edition will be available for purchase on March 7, 2014. Authors Cary Griffin, David Hammis, Beth Keeton, and Molly Sullivan have updated this popular guidebook with a new and improved assessment approach, more self-employment success stories, and the latest on policy changes and online opportunities.
Disability and Rural Communities: Making a Difference in Small Towns [PDF] is a training guide for people with disabilities who live in rural areas. The guide covers such topics as advocacy, inclusion, interdependence, resources, networking and community involvement, supportive relationships, leadership, and more.
Linda Hodgdon's February newsletter includes Best Practices for Visual Supports - Part 2, the second in a three-part series. This month's article focuses on the design specifics (size, layout, etc.) of the visuals to use for students with special communication needs.
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network has announced their 2014 Spring Webinar Series. These sessions are designed to teach self-advocacy groups skills in fundraising and organizational development. Participants must live in California, Oregon, Montana, or Washington. A recording will be available for self-advocates in other states.
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Employment
Setting Up Autistic Employees to Succeed discusses the Human Resources implications of a new study which found that placing autistic adults in more independent work settings may help alleviate symptoms of the developmental disorder. Montana's own Cary Griffin, senior partner at Griffin-Hammis Associates, is quoted in the article.
Employees with ASD: Tips for Educating Employers and Colleagues [Video] provides a brief background on autism spectrum disorders and how they can present in the workplace. The video also discusses specific challenges that may be encountered and strategies for overcoming those challenges.
APSE-Association of People Supporting Employment First has developed a map of Employment First activity across the United States, and has also issued an Employment First statement that includes characteristics of successful implementation of Employment First.
The Job Accommodation Network quarterly newsletter is available and includes information about providing temporary accommodations, new accommodations-related resources, and upcoming training events.
Read Dale DiLeo's January 29, 2014 blog post about Moving Beyond "Place, then Train".
The National Trends in Disability Employment 2013 Review/2014 Preview includes a year-end review of employment trends for people with disabilities and a look forward to the job picture for 2014.
Disability Scoop reports that a Gallup survey found just 1 In 3 adults with intellectual disabilities is employed and of those who are working, "slightly more than half are employed in competitive environments alongside those without disabilities, while 38 percent work in sheltered workshops and 9 percent are self-employed."
States as Model Employers of People with Disabilities: A Comprehensive Review of Policies, Practices and Strategies [PDF] examines strategies used in state government and large municipalities relating to the recruitment, hiring, retention, and advancement of people with disabilities into government jobs.
Advancing Economic Opportunities for Business Owners and Jobseekers with Disabilities: A Review of State and Municipal Government Contracting Procurement and Tax Incentive Programs for Disability-Owned Businesses [PDF] "identifies state and local government entities that show evidence of having state business certification, preferences, and set-aside programs for private-sector disability-owned businesses, as well as established state tax incentives available to for-profit businesses to hire jobseekers with disabilities. It also highlights key elements of these programs, including how disability is defined, and the unique characteristics and features of the programs."
In Making the Case for IPS Supported Employment (Administration & Policy in Mental Health & Mental Health Services Research, 41(1), 69-73), authors Bond and Drake summarize the evidence supporting the effectiveness of the Individual Placement and Support model for helping people with severe mental illness gain competitive employment; discuss the barriers to implementing IPS; and suggest policy changes that could expand access to IPS services. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
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Post-Secondary Education
Proposals are now being accepted for the 2014 State of the Art Conference on Postsecondary Education and Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. This year's conference will be held November 20-21 in Fairfax, Virginia. |
Transition
Promoting Transition to Adulthood for Youth with Physical Disabilities and Health Impairments (Targett, P., Wehman, P., West, M., Dillard, C. & Cifu, G., Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 39(3), 229-239) examines the issues involved in the transition of youth with orthopedic or physical disabilities and other health impairments. The article also discusses how to improve transition outcomes.
The Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy and the Corporation for National and Community Service have released policy guidance to increase volunteerism and work-based learning for all youth.
Use of Social Security Work Incentives to Promote Work-Based Learning in Youth Employment and Training Programs, an NCWD/Youth Infobrief, provides an overview of the importance of work-based learning experiences, examines the AmeriCorps income exemption for youth with disabilities who are receiving Social Security benefits, and offers recommendations for expanding the use of similar incentives to other youth employment and training programs. |
Web Sites
TeleworkTools.org offers telework and telecommuting resources for interested jobseekers, service providers, and employers.
The ADA National Network launched its new website this week. The site allows visitors to access information, resources and publications about the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The Telecom Toolbox, developed by RTC-Rural, was designed to "increase VR counselor capacity to use online communication methods. While the Toolbox focuses primarily on email communication between the consumer and counselor, it also includes tips for using social media and video conferencing. In addition, the Toolbox provides links to external resources addressing telecommunication in counseling practice."
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