Join professionals and advocates in the region for a one-day Regional Conference Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at the Loudermilk Center in Atlanta, Georgia, entitled Promoting Self Determined Futures.  This regional conference is cosponsored by Southeast TACE and the Georgia DD Council. Participants will learn the philosophy and values that guide practice; successful transition self-directed planning; employment experiences during high school and post-secondary options that lead to employment; and roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder. Participants will also hear from a mother and daughter team about their transition experiences through high school and into the community, and from an attorney about alternatives to guardianship that increase self-determination and empower people with disabilities to exercise their legal capacity. Each workshop during the conference has specific objectives that allow participants to take principles and apply them immediately to their schools and communities. Please spread the word!

NC TASH will be hosting its annual Summer Retreat for Families on Secondary Transition June 19-20, 2014. During this time, NC TASH will be inviting experts in the field of secondary transition and adult services to lead breakout sessions on a variety of topics. In addition, there will be a TASH Night Out held which will allow parents and advocates to mix and mingle while enjoying a night of great food and entertainment. These events will provide a wonderful opportunity for parents to network and become involved in advocacy efforts in North Carolina. Lodging will be provided on the campus of Western Carolina University. For more information, please contact Kelly Kelley.

A Comprehensive Approach to Transition is geared toward transition-age individuals with disabilities. It is formatted as a workbook and addresses self-determination, transition planning, collaboration, and teamwork.

International Efforts to Serve Youth with Disabilities: Lessons for the U.S. Disability Support System [PDF] is a Mathematica Center for Studying Disability Policy Issue Brief that summarizes barriers to successful transition in the United States and strategies used in ten other countries to address similar barriers. Some of the strategies may be transferable to the U.S.

Experiences of Germany and the Netherlands in Serving Transition-Age Youth [PDF] explores the transition strategies used by Germany and the Netherlands, and examines which of the strategies might be transferable to the United States.

Paul Wehman, Ph.D., a professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation with joint appointments in the departments of Rehabilitation Counseling and Special Education and Disability Policy at Virginia Commonwealth University, recently published Autism and (un) employment in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. In the article, Dr. Wehman discusses the state of employment for people with autism and the success of the Project SEARCH model.

Self-Employment for People with Disabilities [PDF] is the final report of START-UP, a three-year project examining barriers and supports to individuals with disabilities becoming self-employed. The report includes policy and practice recommendations.

The newest issue of the JAN E-News includes articles about Applying the ADA in a Global Economy, Addressing Accommodation Needs Specific to Gastrointestinal Disorders, Autism Awareness and more.

Navigating Online Career Exploration and Planning Tools: A Skills Gap Roadmap for Case Managers is designed for Workforce case managers, but offers information and resources that other employment and rehabilitation professionals might find useful as well.

The Influence of Social Capital on Starting Wage for People with and Without Disabilities by B.N. Phillips, L.J. Robison, and J.F. Kosciulek (Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 2014) reports that social capital is an important factor in starting wage decisions. As such, it is recommended that VR services include "increased use of a customized, strength-based approach for development and use of social capital for both consumers and counselors." (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)

Interviewing Tips for Applicants with Autism Spectrum Disorders includes guidance about disclosure, accommodations, and more.

Analysis of Wage and Total Compensation Gaps by Disability Measure explores the pay gaps between workers with and without disabilities. Total compensation, not just wage- or salary-based pay, is considered.

Workplace Flexibility: A Strategic Business Approach for an Inclusive Workplace [PDF], a fact sheet from the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, shares examples of how businesses can benefit from implementing flexible workplace strategies. ODEP's Workplace Flexibility Toolkit can assist employers with adopting these strategies.

The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Evidence-Based Practice in Vocational Rehabilitation develops evidence-based knowledge and tools for VR practitioners that will improve employment rates and quality of employment for people with disabilities.

The Vocational Rehabilitation Services Models for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders' Guide to Effective Employment Programs highlights effective practices implemented by VR service providers for people with ASD. The guide also provides program design details and requirements for replication.

Presentation materials and conference handouts from the RRTC-EBP VR State-of-the-Science Conference: Advancing Evidence-Based Practices and Polices to Close the Employment Gap are now available online.

State Intellectual and Developmental Disability Agencies' Service Trends Data Note No. 49 reports that state investment continues to emphasize facility-based and non-work services over integrated employment services. State-level data for fiscal year 2012 is included in the Data Note.

Do you want to know how people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are faring in your state? View United Cerebral Palsy's annual report, The Case for Inclusion.

Striking While the Iron Is Hot: The Effect of Vocational Rehabilitation Service Wait Times on Employment Outcomes for Applicants Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits reports study findings that longer wait times for VR services were associated with lower employment outcomes at VR closure, reduced VR agency revenues, and increased Social Security Administration benefit costs.  (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)

The Registered Apprenticeship - College Consortium, a new partnership effort between the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Education, will allow graduates of Registered Apprenticeship programs to turn on-the-job and classroom training into college credits toward an associate or bachelor's degree.

Are you interested in finding college transition programs for your clients with disabilities? Project STEPP at East Carolina University has compiled a list of programs [PDF] you might find helpful.   

The Social Security Administration has launched The Faces and Facts of Disability, a disability education and awareness initiative designed to inform the public about the Social Security Disability Insurance program and dispel common misconceptions.

Adults with Autism Get Help from 'Human Simulator' to Navigate Job Interviews  profiles a computer program originally developed to train FBI agents that is now being used by autistic adults to practice job interviews and receive feedback on their performance.

According to an article in The Washington Post, InnoCaption, an app designed to transcribe mobile phone conversations in real-time, has received approval from the FCC. This approval allows companies to be reimbursed through the Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Fund for providing the app to those with hearing or speech problems. InnoCaption is scheduled for release at the end of June.

5 Possible Assistive Technology Uses for Google Glass shares links to articles about various ways Google Glass might be used to assist people with disabilities.

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center launched a new employment website for TennesseeWorks. The site will be a resource for professionals, families, employers, and others committed to helping young people with intellectual and development disabilities find and maintain meaningful employment.

HCBSadvocacy.org, a new website launched by the National DD Network Partners (AUCD, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, and the National Disability Rights Network) is designed to help advocates improve the implementation of the new Home and Community-based Services regulation. (This regulation seeks to ensure that individuals receiving HCBS supports have full access to the benefits of community living and that the services are delivered in the most integrated setting.) The site provides links to official Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services resources, national advocacy information, and state-by-state news.

The START-UP/USA website provides self-employment information and resources.

Have you accessed your Portal today?

Visit the TACE Transition Services web site. In the "Login For" section on the left-hand side of your screen, select "Counselor" or "Coordinator." This will take you to the "Login to MyTACE Account" page. You will use your MyTACE Account to register for available events, seek applicable credit, and access your specialized portal - Transition Services Counselor or Coordinator. 

Attended a TACE Webinar? You may already have created a MyTACE Account. If you have a MyTACE Account, email tacesoutheast@law.syr.edu and request to join the TACE Transition Network. If you don't already have a MyTACE account, follow the instructions to "Create a New MyTACE Account" and also apply for Portal access.