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Learning Opportunities: Montana and Online
PEAK Parent Center is offering a summer series of webinars on transition strategies for youth with disabilities and their families.
The recorded archive of WIOA from a Disability Perspective, Part Three: Understanding Changes Regarding Youth Services [Video] is now available.
The Importance of Customizing Your AAC App: What Is Possible and What You Should Consider
August 5, 2015
9:00-9:45 AM MT
This webinar will discuss customizing an AAC app to fit the needs of an individual user.
Back to School-What Parents Need to Know Before the School Year Begins
August 5, 2015
11:00-11:30 AM MT
This episode of WADA ADA Live! will explore what parents need to know to help their child's school year get off to a good start. Topics include establishing a good relationship with your child's teachers and staff; helping a child who is very anxious about going back to school; who decides when an IEP should be scheduled; how to prepare for the IEP or 504 meeting; ideas for following up after the IEP/504 meeting; and what students with disabilities going on to college or vocational training need to know.
Social Thinking by Michelle Garcia Winner
August 5-6, 2015
Missoula, MT
A treatment framework and curriculum developed by Michelle Garcia Winner targets improving individual social thinking abilities, regardless of diagnostic label.
Mentoring
August 11, 2015
12:00-1:00 PM MT
Join the presenters as they discuss mentoring and the value it brings to the workplace not only to the employees being mentored, but also to those providing the mentoring.
The Opportunity Game - How to Present Yourself as an Ideal Job Candidate
August 13, 2015
12:00-1:00 PM MT
Learn key strategies for job seekers to successfully attain and retain employment including conducting a skills inventory, identifying champions, and accessing effective accommodations.
Supported Employment Web-Based Certificate Series
August 17- Nov. 9, 2015
Cost: $325
This course provides an extensive overview of supported employment and how to facilitate competitive jobs for individuals with significant disabilities.
Supported Competitive Employment for Individuals with Mental Illness
August 17-Nov. 9, 2015
Cost: $325
This course provides an extensive overview of supported competitive employment for individuals with mental illness.
Customized Employment for Transition-Age Youth with Physical Disabilities
Sept.10, 2015
12:00-12:45 PM MT
This webcast will review the components of Customized Employment as an intervention to improve the employment outcomes of transition-aged youth with physical disabilities.
Family Support for Transition-Aged Youth
Sept. 29, 2015
11:00 AM-12:30 PM MT
This webinar will focus on working successfully with families who have a transition-aged young person currently experiencing mental health difficulties.
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Learning Opportunities: Other States
Transition from Pediatric to Adult-based Care Oct. 1-2, 2015 Houston, TX Plan to attend the Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital's 16th Annual Chronic Illness and Disability Conference. The Arc's 2015 National Convention Oct. 3-5, 2015 Indianapolis, IN
The Arc's 2015 National Convention is a three-day gathering of individuals with I/DD and their families, chapter leaders and staff and those dedicated to our movement to come together and learn, grow, and be inspired. 2015 DCDT Conference: Blazing New Trails in Transition Nov. 5-7, 2015 Portland, OR This conference provides opportunities to share research and field-based expertise in transition assessment, family partnership, postsecondary education, employment, self-determination and much more. 2015 State of the Art Conference on Postsecondary Education and Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities Nov. 12-13, 2015 Fairfax, VA This year's conference is sponsored by George Mason University's Helen A. Kellar Institute for Human Disabilities and The Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education at Syracuse University. OCALICON Nov. 18-20, 2015 Columbus, Ohio Register now for this face-to-face gathering of national leaders, educators, parents, service providers, self-advocates, scholars, and policy makers to examine common concerns and share proven solutions that address issues faced by individuals with autism and low-incidence disabilities across their lifespan. 2015 TASH Conference Dec. 2-4, 2015 Portland, OR This year's theme, "Celebrating 40 Years of Progressive Leadership," acknowledges TASH's 40 years of generating change within the disability community and anticipates a brighter, more inclusive future for people with disabilities in all aspects of life.
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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.
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Montana News
The 2015 Montana Youth in Transition Conference will be held November 4-6 in Great Falls, Montana. Youth with disabilities, families, educators and counselors are invited to attend to connect, collaborate and learn more about transition planning.
The Rural Institute Consumer Advisory Council is recruiting representatives from the Montana Council on Developmental Disabilities 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 youth/young adult members and family members of individuals with 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
MonTECH has moved! Montana's resource for assistive technology tools and services is now located at 52 Corbin Hall, University of Montana. Visit the MonTECH website for directions and UM maps. If you need assistance, please call 406-243-5751 or 1-877-243-5511. Staff email addresses and phone numbers will remain the same.
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Employment
The Interviewer [Video] is a 12-minute video to challenge traditional views about employment of people with disabilities. A captioned version with audio descriptions [Video] is also available.
Furthering Disability Rights through Inclusive Education and Employment by T. Bachrach (Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 42(3), 257-261) presents the social model of disability as an alternative to strategies based on the medical model of disability. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
The Department of Labor's Promising Practices in Achieving Universal Access and Equal Opportunity: A Section 188 Disability Reference Guide [PDF] describes strategies to improve access to Workforce programs and services for persons with disabilities.
Oregon has launched the I Work We Succeed Campaign, part of the state's Employment First initiative promoting the benefits of paid, integrated work in community jobs for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
Clarifying Your Ideal Work Environment is a Disability.Blog post guiding readers through questions to help identify an individual's ideal work environment.
A July 3, 2015 Department of Labor blog post, ADA25: How WIOA is Expanding Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities, offers a summary of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs and services designed to improve the lives of people with disabilities.
Facilitating Employment Opportunities for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disability through Parents and Social Networks by J. Petner-Arrey, A. Howell-Moneta, and R. Lysaght (Disability and Rehabilitation, 2015, online ahead of print) reports study findings demonstrating the importance of parents and other social network members in helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities connect to employment options and sustain work over time. Implications for rehabilitation professionals are discussed. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
Integrating Customized Employment Practices Within the Vocational Rehabilitation System by T.J. Smith, C. Dillahunt-Aspillage, and C. Kenney (Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 42(3), 201-208) provides an overview of an innovative project to train community-based providers in offering Discovery as a billable service for VR customers for whom traditional employment strategies have not been successful. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
Supporting Positive Employment Outcomes for Individuals with Autism Who Use AAC by D. McNaughton and L. Richardson (Perspectives on Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 22(3), 164-172) discusses strategies for supporting positive outcomes for individuals with autism who use augmentative and alternative communication. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
Meet Tasha, a "No Boundaries" 2015 participant featured on Disability.Blog.
Opening the Door to Self-Employment: Lessons Learned from the CBTAC Program is a recent post on the Employment First Blog.
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Health
Healthy Transitions is a mobile app designed to help young adults with special health care needs build skills needed to gain independence and manage their own health care.
Learn more about health care transition on the Got Transition website.
The March/April edition of Pulse, the newsletter of the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs, focuses on children with special health care needs and transition.
Transition from Pediatric to Adult Care 'Takes a Village' for Patients with Developmental Disabilities provides a comprehensive summary of issues related to the transition from pediatric to adult care.
Transition to Adult Care: What's Age Got to Do with It? suggests a collaborative approach to health care transition for young adults with chronic conditions.
Visit the Social Security Administration website to learn more about Medicare, a health insurance program for people 65 and older, some people with disabilities who are under 65, and individuals with end-Stage Renal Disease.
Transition and Transfer of Adolescents and Young Adults with Pediatric Onset Chronic Disease: The Patient and Parent Perspective by S.M. Fernandes, J. O'Sullivan-Oliveira, M.J. Landzberg, et al (Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, 7(1), 43-51) reports gaps in aspects of transition education such as birth control, illicit drug use, and future career or vocation counseling. Barriers to transfer of care include emotional attachments and lack of adult medicine specialty providers. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health supported the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs in developing national consensus standards for a comprehensive, quality system of care for children with special health needs. The standards address core domains, including transition to adulthood.
A GPS for Families of and Individuals with Disabilities: Health Advocacy Guide was created for New Jersey residents, but includes information and resources applicable to people across the country.
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National News
Facts for Features: 25th Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act, a news release from the U.S. Census Bureau, offers a demographic snapshot of the nation's population with a disability and examines various services available to them.
The 2015 Kessler Foundation National Employment and Disability Survey report is now available. The survey includes responses from more than 3,000 working-age Americans with disabilities.
The June 30, 2015 Disability.gov bulletin 10 Things Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities Should Know includes a plethora of helpful resources and links.
The June 2015 LEAD Center Policy Update - Employment, Health Care and Disability [PDF] features stories on the recently introduced Transition to Independence Act, the IRS Notice of Proposed Rule Making for the ABLE Act, and more.
The quarterly issue of LEAD On! is now available and features articles on self-guided and group Discovery, Customized Employment, and more.
The Summer 2015 issue of CONNECT!, an online publication from the Helen Keller National Center, includes articles about alumni activities around the country, work experiences, summer and fall activities at the center, and more.
In mid-July, United Cerebral Palsy released its annual Case for Inclusion report, which ranks states and the District of Columbia on outcomes for Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Access Means Business: Tax Incentives Supporting the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, a publication of the Southwest ADA Center, summarizes how a variety of federal tax incentives can be used to support an inclusive market and workforce.
The Employer TA Center offers a fact sheet [PDF] with an overview of federal tax incentives for hiring people with disabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA [PDF] was recently released by the U.S. Department of Justice.
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Post-Secondary Education
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) recently announced the Autistic Scholars Fellowship, a new college scholarship program for autistic students. The Fellowship will provide 3 to 5 autistic students $5,000 tuition scholarships each to create systems change on their college campuses. Completed applications for the January 2016 scholarship period are due on November 15, 2015. A Guide to Visual Disabilities: How Colleges Help Visually Impaired Students Succeed provides information and resources to support college students with visual impairments. |
Self-Advocacy and Advocacy
The archived recording of the Guardianship for Individuals with Intellectual Disability: Trends and Issues webcast is now available.
Guardianship and the Potential of Supported Decision Making with Individuals with Disabilities [PDF] by J.M. Jameson, T. Riesen, S. Polychronis, B. Trader, S. Mizner, J. Martinis, and D. Hoyle (Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 2015, online ahead of print) reports descriptive data from a national survey on guardianship and people with disabilities.
Presumption of Incompetence: The Systematic Assignment of Guardianship within the Transition Process by C.E. Rood, A. Kanter, and J. Causton (Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 39(4), 319-328) describes the impact that guardianship laws may have on the transition planning process for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
'The Right to Make Choices': How Vocational Rehabilitation Can Help Young Adults with Disabilities Increase Self-Determination and Avoid Guardianship by J.G. Martinis (Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 42(3), 221-227) gives an overview of the negative implications of overbroad or undue guardianship, the benefits of self-determination, and ways VR can help young adults with disabilities overcome any perceived need for guardianship. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
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Technology
In case you missed the "Announcements" section of this e-newsletter, MonTECH has moved! Montana's resource for assistive technology tools and services is now located at 52 Corbin Hall, University of Montana. Visit the MonTECH website for directions and UM maps. If you need assistance, please call 406-243-5751 or 1-877-243-5511. Staff email addresses and phone numbers will remain the same.
9 Apps That Improve Day-to-Day Tasks for People with Disabilities highlights apps that can assist people with hearing loss, vision impairments, or developmental disabilities.
In June, the Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT) launched a virtual speaker series to showcase organizations and individuals whose work is advancing accessible technology in the workplace. PEAT Talks are held the third Thursday of every month at 12:00 PM MT.
3D Printing Offers New Dimensions for AT [PDF] explains how 3D printing works and how it is being used to create assistive technology devices.
The June 2015 AT Program News is now available. Articles include:
- AT Purchase Strategies Using ABLE Accounts
- ABLE Act Resource Roundup
- ABLE Accounts vs. Special Needs Trusts
- And much more
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Transition
The Advisory Committee on Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment for Individuals with Disabilities met July 13-14th in Washington, D.C. Read the findings and preliminary recommendations [PDF] of the Transition to Careers Subcommittee.
Are High Schools Referring Transition-Age Youth with Intellectual Disabilities to Vocational Rehabilitation? A State-by-State Analysis by R. Evert Cimera, J. Gonda, and J. Vaschak (Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 42(3), 263-270) examines the rate at which applicants were referred to VR services by their high schools. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
An Evaluation of Risk Factors Related to Employment Outcomes for Youth with Disabilities by A.P. Sima, P.H. Wehman, F. Chan, M.D. West, and R.G. Leucking (Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 38(2), 89-100) "explores non-modifiable risk factors associated with poor post-school competitive employment outcomes for students with disabilities." (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
Gender Differences in Vocational Rehabilitation Service Predictors of Successful Competitive Employment for Transition-Aged Individuals with Autism by C. Sung, J. S�nchez, H. Kuo, C. Wang, and M.J. Leahy (Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2015, online ahead of print) reports findings of a study that examined the effects of gender differences in VR service predictors on employment outcomes for transition-aged individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
The Journey to Life after High School: A Road Map for Parents of Children with Special Needs examines the laws that impact a child with special needs, the importance of the individualized education plan, and the different paths a child can take as they transition to adulthood.
Transition to Employment for Young Adults with Disabilities: What We (as Parents and Community Supporters) Can Do to Ensure Success is a LEAD Center blog post offering a number of suggestions for parents and others who support transition-age youth.
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