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Learning Opportunities: Montana and Online
Griffin Hammis Associates is offering Relias Learning online asynchronous training courses on Customized Wage Employment, Social Security Work Incentives, and Self-Employment.
The Job Accommodation Network 2014/2015 Webcast Training Series schedule is now available. The free webcasts will cover a variety of topics, including Inclusive Workplaces/Disclosure, Current Events in Job Accommodation, Mentoring, and more.
Think College is hosting a series of webinars on a variety of topics related to postsecondary education for students with intellectual disabilities. The next session will be on November 24, 2014.
Mental Health and Vocational Rehabilitation Collaboration: Supported Employment
December 1, 2014
9:00-10:00 AM MT
This session will highlight how SE programs and their local VR offices can collaborate. In addition, information regarding the larger statewide roll out of IPS-SE between VR and MH will be presented.
Job Coaching and Workplace Supports
December 3-16, 2014
Cost: $159
This course covers effective job design, instructional and behavioral support strategies, and the development of natural and co-worker supports.
Rural Job Development - Supported Employment
December 12, 2014
9:00-10:00 AM MT
This session will focus on approaching job development with an eye toward social capital, economic development and even self-employment as an option.
Transition to Work for Individuals with Autism
Jan. 26-March 9, 2015
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.
Customized Employment
Feb. 2-March 2, 2015
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.
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Learning Opportunities: Other States
Be the Future: TASH Annual Conference
December 3-5, 2014
Washington, DC
For more than 38 years, the TASH Conference has impacted the disability field by connecting attendees to innovative information and resources, facilitating connections between stakeholders in the disability movement, and helping attendees reignite their passion for the full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life.
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Welcome to 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 Montana State Coordinator for the Pacific Alliance on Disability Self-Advocacy is looking for advocacy and self-advocacy groups (for example, People First) in Montana. If you are part of an advocacy/self-advocacy group (or if you know of one) anywhere in the state, please email Rick Heitz or phone him at 406-249-7354 with your group's contact information.
The Rural Institute Consumer Advisory Council is recruiting representatives from the Montana Developmental Disabilities Program, Montana Developmental Disabilities Council, and Disability Rights Montana, as well as individuals with developmental disabilities from the north and south central areas of the state to serve on the council.
The advisory council helps various Rural Institute projects determine necessary and appropriate activities, establish priorities, develop work plans, craft products, deliver training, and conduct evaluation activities. Term lengths run for 12 months and may be renewed. Meetings are held quarterly; one meeting is face-to-face (generally in Missoula or Helena) and the other three are conference calls. In addition, council members may be asked to serve on work groups or task forces, which could require additional meetings by conference call.
Travel reimbursement is available for council members. Honoraria are offered to members with developmental disabilities and family members of individuals with developmental disabilities if their time to attend meetings is not compensated through a job. The Rural Institute is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to allow members to fully participate in the advisory council activities.
If you are interested in being considered for a seat on the Consumer Advisory Council, please contact Kim Brown and request an application form.
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Announcements
- "Enough Therapy, I Quit." Getting Out of the Disability World
- Preparation for Postsecondary Education
- The Downside of Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- People with Disabilities as Leaders
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Employment
Employing People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is a recently released report from the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp). According to i4cp, the report "provides compelling data and inspiring success stories to showcase this talented pool of workers that are exceeding expectations in driving business results from companies that are household names." (Free registration is required to download the document.)
The 2014 National Study of Employers - Including the Talents of Employees with Disabilities [PDF] by the Families and Work Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management reviews workplace characteristics that promote inclusion of employees with disabilities, including: workplace flexibility, employee resource groups, and formal staffing plans.
Evolving Views on Disability Disclosure in the Workplace, a report from the Certification of Disability Management Specialists Commission, discusses a number of issues related to workplace disability disclosure.
Thinking Outside the Employment Box: Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Share Their Self-Employment Success Stories [PDF] introduces readers to Iowa entrepreneurs who have found creative ways to leverage their skills, talents, abilities, resources, and social connections into creating their perfect job.
Employer-Recommended Strategies to Increase Opportunities for People with Disabilities by A.D. Henry, K. Petkauskos, J. Stanislawzyk, and J.Vogt (Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 41(3), 237-248) explores employers' perspectives to expanding employment among people with disabilities. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
Vermont Closed Workshops for People with Disabilities; What Happened Next? by Halle Stockton reports the findings of a PublicSource investigation into the after-effects of Vermont's sheltered workshop closures more than a decade ago.
Getting a Job, Keeping a Job: Services and Supports That Promote Employment among People with Disabilities [Video], a September 2014 Mathematica Policy Research webinar, is archived and available for viewing. Presenters discussed:
- Factors associated with achieving return-to-work milestones among SSDI beneficiaries
- The effectiveness of programs by state vocational rehabilitation agencies
- Services, supports, and strategies used by people with disabilities to find and keep work
- Lessons learned that can inform the design of future programs to foster employment
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Health
My Coverage, My Care: Making Health Insurance Work for Me from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, guides site visitors through making the most of health care coverage. Commentary: Transitioning Into Adult Care suggests ten questions parents should help their children prepare to answer prior to transitioning from pediatric to adult health care providers. To coincide with the open health insurance enrollment period which began on November 15, the White House released a public service announcement on the Affordable Care Act and people with disabilities [Video]. Depression in Adolescents with ASD is an Autism-at-a-Glance resource designed to help educators and families recognize symptoms of depression in teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Health Care for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is an online toolkit for primary care providers. Resources for patients and families are also available. Some of the topics addressed in the toolkit include: - Communicating Effectively
- Informed Consent
- Female Preventive Care Checklist
- Male Preventive Care Checklist
- Health Watch Tables for specific conditions
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National News
The WIOA Resource Page provides information and resources for states, local areas, non-profits and other stakeholders to assist with implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
In October, the LEAD Center released Summary of Major Policies Included in Titles I and IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, a policy brief summarizing major amendments to Titles I and IV of the Workforce Investment Act from a disability perspective.
The Office of Disability Employment Policy has launched a web page for the Advisory Committee on Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment for Individuals with Disabilities. Visit the page to learn about committee meetings, reports and resources. The committee consists of both federal officials and private citizens from specific groups identified in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) legislation.
The September 2014 LEAD On! quarterly e-newsletter includes articles about WIOA, workplace flexibility, return-to-work strategies, and more.
In September 2014, Senator Tom Harkin, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, released Fulfilling the Promise: Overcoming Persistent Barriers to Economic Self-Sufficiency for People with Disabilities [PDF]. The report examines barriers people with disabilities face as they strive to work their way out of poverty.
The US Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy website houses a Workplace Flexibility Toolkit, which includes case studies, fact and tip sheets, issue briefs, reports, articles, websites, other toolkits, and frequently-asked questions.
The Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination recently released an issue brief [PDF] on the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act. The brief shares the background and current status of the bill.
The 2014 edition of the National Disability Policy: A Progress Report from the National Council on Disability focuses on seven key areas: the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, employment access and inclusion, subminimum wage, education outcomes, Medicaid managed care, mental health care, and data trends in disability policy.
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Post-Secondary Education
An Inclusive Rural Post-Secondary Education Program for Students with Intellectual Disabilities by S.M. Ryan (Rural Special Education Quarterly, 33(2), 18-28) describes Think College Vermont, a transition program for students with intellectual disabilities attending a rural postsecondary education program. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
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Social Security
In 2015, monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will increase by 1.7%. For Social Security beneficiaries, the increase will start in January; for SSI beneficiaries the increase will begin on December 31, 2014.
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Technology
The Fall 2014 AT Program News is now available. This double issue focuses on assistive technology and the Common Core State Standards.
To Siri, With Love is an article from The New York Times about a 13-year-old boy with autism who has become best friends with Siri, Apple's "intelligent personal assistant" on his iPhone.
Bridging Apps is a free newsletter from Easter Seals of Houston. The newsletter strives to bridge the gap between technology and people with disabilities.
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Transition
Better Outcomes for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Action Plan for High Schools outlines steps high schools can take to prepare students with ASD for a successful transition to adult life. Predictors of Successful Transition from School to Employment for Youth with Disabilities by P. Wehman, P. Adam, P. Sima, J. Ketchum, M.D. West, F. Chan, and R. Luecking (Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 2014) reports that employment training and work experiences in high school and high parental expectations are critical aspects of the transition process for youth with disabilities. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.) The Council for Exceptional Children Division on Career Development and Transition produces Fast Fact Sheets on a variety of topics, including community experiences, parental involvement, goal setting, paid work and more. Literature Review of Five Federal Systems Serving Transition Age Youth with Disabilities Final Report [PDF] released by the Office of Disability Employment Policy summarizes the role, extent of use, central programs, authorizing legislation, challenges and recommendations for the vocational rehabilitation, social security, juvenile justice, behavioral health and workforce investment systems. NCWD/Youth recently published the Guiding Your Success Tool, which is designed to help youth and young adults think about and plan for the future. The guide follows the five key transition areas identified in the Guideposts for Success. How Can We Get More People with Disabilities Employed in Their Communities? Decreasing Service Costs While Improving Employment Outcomes [PDF] emphasizes the importance of beginning transition preparation at an early age, along with offering volunteer opportunities and community-based transition experiences as stepping stones to employment. Addition to Transition Assessment Resources: A Template for Determining the Use of Guardianship Alternatives for Students Who Have Intellectual Disability [PDF] by D.S. Millar (Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 49(2), 171-188) introduces the Guardianship Alternative Assessment Template (GAAT). According to the author, the GAAT "addresses the individual's vision and values; daily living and cognitive functioning; risk of harm and least restrictive guardianship alternatives; and opportunities to enhance capacity." Does Providing Transition Services by Age 14 Produce Better Vocational Outcomes for Students with Intellectual Disability? by R. Cimera, S. Burgess, and P.L. Bedesem (Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 39(1), 47-54) reports study findings that youth from states requiring transition services to be addressed by age 14 were more likely to be employed by the time their cases were closed than students from states requiring transition services to be addressed by age 16. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.) Transition from School to Adulthood for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: What We Know and What We Need to Know by P. Wehman, C. Schall, S. Carr, P. Targett, M. West, and G. Cifu (Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 25(1), 30-40) reviews key elements of the transition to adulthood for youth with ASD and offers recommendations for policy and practice. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
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Web Sites
The U.S. Department of Labor's Clearinghouse for Labor Evaluation and Research has included a Disability Employment Policy topic area that "focuses on research determining which programs have been most effective at improving direct labor market outcomes such as employment and earnings; improving education and health status, which may affect a person's ability to work; and decreasing federal disability benefit receipt."
PEATworks.org is a web portal spearheaded by the Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology. The site houses accessible technology tools and resources.
The Center on Technology and Disability (CTD) recently launched the CTD Institute website, which houses the CTD Library, Caf� (moderated chat), and Learning Center.
FindYouthInfo.gov now includes a section on Employment Considerations for Youth with Disabilities.
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