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.

The Youth Transition Handbook [PDF] from the Washington Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is a technical assistance tool for transition planning with high school students moving into employment.

Disability Scoop recently shared the article For Those with Autism, Hospitals May Be Ideal Training Ground. The author briefly describes Project SEARCH as it is being implemented in Virginia and studied by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University. Project SEARCH offers intensive, specialized, on-the-job training in hospital jobs.

What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up? [PDF] offers young adults guidance on career exploration including steps to take, questions to consider, how to match jobs to personal interests and abilities, ways to research careers, and resources for gathering additional information.

Bridging the Gap: A Comparative Assessment of Vocational Rehabilitation Agency Practices with Transition-Age Youth [PDF], by Mathematica researchers Todd Honeycutt, Maura Bardos, and Stephanie McLeod, presents an analysis of agency characteristics that promote positive employment outcomes for transition-age youth.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy launched an online Interactive Policy Map and brief, Individualized Learning Plans Across the U.S. [PDF], to summarize how individualized learning plans are being implemented nationwide.

Transition of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Youth with Disabilities: Challenges and Opportunities by Gary Greene (Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 40(3), 239-245) reviews the transition literature discussing challenges faced by culturally and linguistically diverse families and youth with disabilities. Practical suggestions are offered on how to engage in more culturally responsive transition assessment, planning, and educational programming with these young adults. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)

Generating Integrated Work Sites for Individuals with Significant Intellectual Disabilities by Lou Brown and Kim Kessler (Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 40(2), 85-97) discusses an eight-step sequence that may be used to arrange access to integrated work sites for individuals with significant intellectual disabilities. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)

Trends in Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Outcomes of Youth with Autism: 2006-2010 by A. Migliore, J. Butterworth, and A. Zalewska (Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 57(2), 80-89)
investigates the trends in VR services and employment outcomes of youth with autism. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)

Social Enterprise Businesses: A Strategy for Creating Good Jobs for People with Disabilities by Elaine E. Katz (Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 40(2), 137-142) describes two models of social enterprise businesses that employ people with disabilities in integrated settings earning market-driven pay rates. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)

Effective Training for Employment Consultants: Job Development and Support Strategies is an Institute for Community Inclusion Institute Brief describing the key elements of an approach designed to improve job development practices.

The VCU-RRTC factsheet Q & A on Employment of People with Physical Disabilities Personal Assistance Services in the Workplace addresses such questions as, "What types of personal assistance services might a person with a physical disability need in the workplace?" and "Are there other resources that can offset the costs of personal assistance services?"

Teleworkers with Disabilities: Characteristics and Accommodation Use by Maureen Linden and Karen Milchus (Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation, 47(4), 473-483) concludes that the primary benefit of teleworking as an accommodation for people with disabilities involved in this study is that it reduces pain and fatigue-related barriers to traditional employment. However the study also found relatively low satisfaction with telework, suggesting that other barriers must be considered if this is to be a viable and successful employment accommodation. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)

Employment Outcomes for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders [PDF] by Ashleigh Hillier and Monica Galizzi (The Review of Disability Studies: An International Journal, (10)1&2, 69-82) reports the findings of a study investigating employment outcomes among young adults with ASD. Although the young adults reported high job satisfaction and job retention, most were working in low-paid, part-time positions. Parents who were surveyed as part of the study reported numerous barriers to their daughters/sons finding and maintaining employment. The article raises a number of important considerations for those charged with supporting youth with ASD to transition into the work world.

Employability Skills for Entry-Level Employees with and without Disabilities: A Comparison between the Perspectives of Educators and Employers by Song Ju, Jackie Pacha, Kayce Moore, and Dalun Zhang (Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 40(3), 203-212) examines educators' and employers' perspectives on general employability skills for individuals with and without disabilities, and discusses implications for school. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)

Employment Outcomes of Transition-aged Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A State of the States Report by Sloan Burgess and Robert E. Cimera (American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities - AJIDD, 119(1), 64-83) evaluates the state-by-state employment outcomes of transition-aged adults with autism spectrum disorders served by VR over the last 10 years. Implications for practice are discussed. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)

Work and Desire to Work among Medicaid Home and Community-based Services Beneficiaries [PDF] examines the characteristics of the working-age population among non-elderly disabled Medicaid beneficiaries receiving home and community-based services and identifies barriers to employment.

RSA-TAC-14-03 [PDF] from the Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration, offers guidance around "Transition Planning and Services Provided through the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program." The circular addresses "(1) the effective collaboration between VR agencies and State educational agencies (SEA) for the provision of transition services; (2) the VR process as it relates to referral and application for services, the determination of eligibility, and the development of the individualized plan for employment ( IPE); and (3) the services that may be provided through the VR program." 

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is asking for public comments as it prepares to revise its regulations on federal employment of people with disabilities.

• What barriers do individuals with disabilities face in the federal recruitment and hiring process?
• What kinds of regulatory requirements, other than the existing requirement not to discriminate based on disability, might effectively address these barriers?
• Are there any policies or practices related to retention, inclusion, and advancement of federal employees with disabilities, other than policies and practices that are already required by EEOC regulations, that a federal agency should be required to adopt to become a model employer of individuals with disabilities?

Comments are due by July 14, 2014.

The 6by15 campaign aims to mark 40 years of IDEA and 25 years of the ADA by achieving six national goals by the end of 2015. The goals are in the following areas: Employment, Community Living, Education, Transition, Healthy Living, and Early Childhood. 

Think College LEARN online self-paced learning modules use videos, publications, interactive learning activities and podcasts to share information related to postsecondary education for students with intellectual disabilities. Topics addressed in the modules include: Coaching and Mentoring; Comprehensive Transition Programs; For Families; Universal Design for Learning; and Job Development.

Rethinking College, a 25-minute documentary from Think College!, shows how colleges and universities can provide a setting for all students to build toward better futures.

Farther, Faster: Six Promising Programs Show How Career Pathway Bridges Help Basic Skills Students Earn Credentials that Matter [PDF] highlights six promising programs that show how career pathway bridges can help students move more quickly along college and career paths.

The archive of the College & Career Readiness Success Center: Predictors of Postsecondary Success webinar held on June 2, 2014 is now available. This webinar builds upon the brief, Predictors of Postsecondary Success, which summarizes research that identifies student skills, behaviors, and other characteristics that predict future academic and workplace success.

How Ready Are Postsecondary Institutions for Students Who Are d/Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing? discusses characteristics of colleges and universities that display high readiness for students who are deaf and hard of hearing.

A State Comparison of Vocational Rehabilitation Support of Youth with Intellectual Disabilities' Participation in Postsecondary Education by Meg Grigal, Alberto Migliore, and Debra Hart (Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 40(3), 185-194) examines the role of VR in promoting postsecondary education participation for individuals with intellectual disabilities. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)

The Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology (PEAT) is a national resource to facilitate and promote the use of accessible technology in the hiring, employment, retention, and career advancement of individuals with disabilities.

A Virtual Personal Assistant: Technological Innovation and Individualized Supports [PDF] is a brief case study about a woman with a mild traumatic brain injury who uses the services of a "virtual personal assistant" to provide the individualized supports she needs.

Google Glass Offers Disabled People Access to a Bigger World describes some of the ways people are using Google Glass and various apps to transform their lives. 

Mobility International USA launched their new website filled with resources related to global travel and educational exchanges for people with disabilities.

The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Employer Practices Related to Employment Outcomes among Individuals with Disabilities recently launched a new website featuring research findings, tools and resources.

The newly reorganized Youth to Work Coalition website houses toolkits, guides and other resources that link employers and schools to create work-based learning experiences for students with disabilities.

LearnHowToBecome.org offers job seekers in-depth career information and guidance. 

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.