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October
DisabilityInfo Connection
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In This Issue
October 2006
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News & EventsOctober is National Disability Employment Awareness Month Disability Mentoring Day - October 18, 2006 CAP and JAN to Host Webcast on Successful Accommodation Strategies |
Hot Topics in BenefitsBooklet on Benefits for Children with Disabilities SSA's Disability Service Improvement Process Featured Tools & Resources |
Federal Agency In FocusGSA's Assistive Technology Showcase In Your Community |
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Welcome to the October 2006 issue of DisabilityInfo Connection. DisabilityInfo.gov, managed by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, is the federal government's one-stop Web site for people with disabilities, employers, job seekers, service providers and many others. This newsletter will keep you informed about new developments relating to DisabilityInfo.gov. It will also offer timely information about the important contributions and initiatives of the 21 federal agencies that support this Web site. - W. Roy Grizzard, Jr., Ed.D., Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor |
News & Events |
October is National Disability Employment Awareness MonthNational Disability Employment Awareness Month, which began in 1945 as a single week of recognition, has grown into an international, month-long series of celebratory events and opportunities to increase the employment of people with disabilities. "The 2006 theme [of NDEAM] - 'Americans with Disabilities: Ready for the Global Workforce' - highlights the fact that workers with disabilities are an underutilized and ambitious group of Americans eager to pursue their career dreams," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. Throughout the month of October, in celebration of NDEAM, businesses; federal, state and local governments; and advocacy organizations around the country are holding events and programs showcasing the abilities and skills of employees and job candidates who have disabilities. As part of NDEAM, on October 26th the 2006 Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative (NFI) Awards will recognize non-profits, small businesses, organizations and individuals that have made innovative and significant contributions in employing and improving work place environments for people with disabilities. For more about NDEAM and information to help employers in their efforts to recruit and accommodate employees with disabilities visit the Employer Resources section of DisabilityInfo.gov. Disability Mentoring Day - October 18, 2006Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) is a nationwide effort to promote career development for students and job seekers with disabilities through hands-on career exploration, job shadowing, and internship and employment opportunities. DMD started in 1999 with fewer than three-dozen student participants. Since then, the number of participants has increased exponentially, growing to 9,000 youth with disabilities at last year's national and international locations. These students have been mentored by more than 2,000 private, non-profit, governmental and educational organizations. For more information on this year's event please visit the Web sites of the Office of Disability Employment Policy and the American Association of People with Disabilities. More information on mentoring and other programs that support the career goals of young people with disabilities can be found in the Youth section of DisabilityInfo.gov. CAP and JAN to Host Webcast on Successful Accommodation StrategiesThe Department of Defense's Computer/Electronics Accommodation Program (CAP) program and the Department of Labor-sponsored Job Accommodation Network (JAN) are hosting a Webcast to discuss how to incorporate successful accommodation strategies into disability management plans. This Webcast will take place on November 14, 2006 from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. EST. For additional resources on accommodating employees with disabilities visit the Workplace Accommodations section of DisabilityInfo.gov. HHS Announces Grants to States to Expand Long-Term CareHHS Secretary Mike Leavitt has announced nearly $6 million in additional funding to 22 states to expand their efforts to establish single entry points to long-term care for families who are trying to learn about and access services in their communities. These Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) grants are part of the President's New Freedom Initiative and the Administration's commitment to bring transparency to health and long-term care so consumers can make informed decisions about their care options. Learn more about available grants in the Health and Employment sections of DisabilityInfo.gov. |
Hot Topics in Benefits |
Booklet on Benefits for Children with DisabilitiesThis booklet is for the parents, caregivers or representatives of children under age 18 who have disabilities that could make them eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. It is also for adults who became disabled in childhood, and who might be entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Additional information for parents of children with disabilities is available in the Benefits section of DisabilityInfo.gov. Social Security Administration's (SSA) Disability Service Improvement ProcessSSA has revised its process for determining disability in order to provide better service and process claims more quickly. These changes include a "quick disability determination process" for those who are obviously disabled. The DSI process offers a significant step forward in providing the quality service that the American public expects and deserves from SSA's disability programs. DisabilityInfo.gov offers additional resources on Benefits programs, including information for veterans and service members and parents of children with disabilities. |
Featured Tools & Resources |
Department of Education's New IDEA Web siteThe U.S. Department of Education has created a new Web site, "Building the Legacy: IDEA 2004," to provide a "one-stop shop" for resources related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) and its implementing regulations, which were released on August 3, 2006. This is a "living" Web site that will change and grow as new resources and information become available. Please visit the new IDEA Web site, as well as the Civil Rights section of DisabilityInfo.gov for information on other laws that protect the education rights of youth and adults with disabilities. |
Federal Agency In Focus |
GSA's Assistive Technology ShowcaseThe federal government is responsible for providing assistive technology accommodations for its employees with disabilities. The Assistive Technology (AT) Showcase, sponsored by GSA, displays state-of-the-art assistive technologies and ergonomic solutions. These technologies can be accessed on the Section 508 Web site. The Showcase supports government managers, supervisors, employees and the public with a wide range of assistive technology equipment. The AT Showcase is open to the public Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. or by appointment. For a comprehensive list of additional assistive technology resources that promote the independence of people with disabilities, visit the Technology section of DisabilityInfo.gov. |
In Your Community |
Department of Education Hosts Community-Based Meetings on IDEATo provide the public with an overview of the final Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) regulations, the department's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) has been hosting a series of community-based public meetings. These meetings serve two major purposes: to provide the public with an opportunity to learn about the major concepts and principle changes in the new regulations; and to give people an opportunity to learn about many resources and supports available from OSERS to assist in the implementation of these regulations. Finding Accessible Transportation in Your CommunityFunded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transportation Administration and Easter Seals, Project ACTION (Accessible Community Transportation in Our Nation) promotes cooperation between the transportation industry and the disability community to increase mobility for people with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and beyond. One of Project ACTION's many resources is a database searchable by zip code where individuals can locate accessible transportation in their communities. The National Accessible Travelers Database was developed to assist travelers with disabilities seeking accessibility in transportation in cities and towns across the United States. For additional information on contacts and resources on accessible transportation in your area, visit State & Local Resources in the Transportation section of DisabilityInfo.gov. |
