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January
DisabilityInfo Connection
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In This Issue
January 2008
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Welcome to DisabilityInfo Connection, the newsletter of DisabilityInfo.gov. Managed by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, DisabilityInfo.gov provides Americans with disabilities a direct connection to the information and resources they need to fully participate in the workforce and in their communities. This newsletter will keep you informed about new developments relating to disability programs, policies and services across the federal government. It also offers timely information about the important contributions and initiatives of the 22 federal agencies that are partners to this Web site. — Karen M. Czarnecki, Acting Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy |
News & Events |
New 2008 Webcasts on Employment and Self-Employment of People with DisabilitiesThe 2008 VCU Webcast Series will cover topics including why it is important to build partnerships with businesses in the community, as well as practical suggestions to help workers with Autism Spectrum Disorder to be productive and socially included coworkers. Self-Employment Technical Assistance, Resources & Training, or START-UP / USA, is also hosting a series of webcasts designed for individuals with disabilities thinking about starting a small business. For more information on accommodating people with disabilities in the workplace, see the Employment section of DisabilityInfo.gov. People on the MoveEaster Seals Project ACTION's People on the Move is a free "train-the-trainer" initiative to increase accessible transportation in communities across the nation. Participants learn how to use fixed-route public transportation, train transportation personnel to better serve customers with disabilities and identify and remove barriers that prevent access and use of public transit. Upcoming trainings are scheduled in San Diego, CA, New Orleans, LA, Washington, DC, Bloomington, IN and Eugene, OR. For additional resources about accessible transportation, see the Transportation section of DisabilityInfo.gov. Evidence for EducationIf you are interested in learning more about what works best in teaching children with disabilities, visit the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities' (NICHCY) new online resource called Evidence for Education. This Web site offers information on some of the best evidence-based practices currently available. Online modules already available include Assessment and Accommodations and The Power of Strategy Instruction. Modules on accommodations for testing, social skill interventions and mathematics instruction will be added soon. Visit the Education section of DisabilityInfo.gov for additional resources for parents, educators and students. 2008 Technology & Persons with Disabilities ConferenceThe 2008 Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference, the longest-running annual university-sponsored conference on technology and persons with disabilities, will take place from March 10-15 in Los Angeles, CA. This conference is for people with disabilities, special education teachers, occupational and physical therapists, private and public rehabilitation service providers, assistive technology practitioners and suppliers and others interested in learning how technology can advance the independence of people with disabilities. For more information on how assistive technologies can help promote the employment and independence of people with disabilities, see the Technology section of DisabilityInfo.gov. |
Federal Agency in Focus |
U.S. Department of AgricultureThe U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) works to ensure the fair and equitable treatment of all USDA customers and employees. ASCR ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations and policies for the Department, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, age, disability and other bases. ASCR is composed of three offices—the Office of Outreach and Diversity, the Conflict Prevention and Resolution Center and the Office of Adjudication and Compliance. The USDA is also home to the Technology Accessible Resources Gives Employment Today (TARGET) Center. The TARGET Center supports USDA through assistive technology and ergonomic solutions. It is also a demonstration center for accessible microcomputer technologies and reasonable accommodations that support USDA employees nationwide with sight, hearing, speech and mobility disabilities. Many of the Center's services and educational programs will now be available live online through TARGET Web Connect. For more information on assistive technology and federal accommodations programs, visit the Technology section of DisabilityInfo.gov. |
Hot Topics in Employment |
Two Percent by 2010!The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently hosted a Schedule A training workshop for human resources and equal employment opportunity (EEO) personnel, as well as hiring managers from across the federal government to support the Two Percent by 2010! initiative, which seeks to increase federal employment of people with disabilities. At the event, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Commissioner Christine Griffin urged federal agencies to increase their hiring of people with disabilities by taking advantage of the Schedule A Hiring Authority. Employees with severe disabilities currently make up less than one percent of the federal workforce. Dinah F.B. Cohen, Director of the Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP), joined Commissioner Griffin as a co-presenter of the workshop. The EEOC has developed a series of new booklets called The ABCs of Schedule A—one for human resource professionals, one for hiring managers and one for disability program managers or selective placement coordinators. Visit the EARNWorks Web site to access these important resources for federal hiring managers and human resources professionals. More information on federal employment of people with disabilities is available in the Employment section of DisabilityInfo.gov. Workplace Personal AssistantsFinding a Workplace Personal Assistant is a fact sheet that describes the use of Personal Assistance Services (PAS) for people with severe disabilities in the workplace. PAS can be a reasonable job accommodation and may be necessary to enable an employee to perform essential job functions. A workplace PA does not perform an employee's job duties, or take care of daily personal needs. Rather, a PA in the workplace provides assistance with the actual job tasks to increase the efficiency and productivity of employees with disabilities. Employers may be obligated to provide this accommodation under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Visit ODEP's Web site for some examples of PAS. For more resources on workplace accommodations for people with disabilities, visit the Employment section of DisabilityInfo.gov. The ADA: Your Employment Rights as an Individual with a DisabilityThe Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to people on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications. The EEOC, which enforces the ADA's employment provisions, offers a fact sheet titled The ADA: Your Employment Rights as an Individual With a Disability that provides information on reasonable accommodations on the job and how to file a discrimination complaint. For additional resources, visit the Civil Rights section of DisabilityInfo.gov. |
Featured Tools & Resources |
Find Volunteer Opportunities in Your CommunityA valuable online tool that connects people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to volunteer opportunities is the USA Freedom Corps volunteer search engine. This search engine can be found in the upper right-hand corner of the USA Freedom Corps home page. Select a category from the drop-down menu, enter your zip code or state and click the "Find Opportunities Now" button to locate hundreds of volunteer opportunities in your community. The Corporation for National and Community Service works closely with USA Freedom Corps to maintain the Web site's search engine. Through its National Service Inclusion Project, the Corporation is also working to engage individuals with disabilities as active participants in national service programs. For more information on volunteer opportunities, visit USA Freedom Corps or the Community Life section of DisabilityInfo.gov. Winning with AccommodationsThe Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) is the federal government's centrally funded program to provide assistive technology and services for federal employees with disabilities. CAP helps federal agencies by purchasing assistive technology and services and conducting needs assessments to identify appropriate assistive technology. Last year CAP launched the Wounded Service Members Initiative, which provides needs assessments, assistive technology and training throughout all phases of a service member's recovery and transition to employment. Visit the Technology section of DisabilityInfo.gov for more information on how technology can support the independence of people with disabilities. Appeal the Decision on Your Social Security Disability Claim OnlineDid you know that you can appeal a decision on your Social Security disability claim online? To be able to use this Internet process, a claimant must: 1) have applied for benefits; 2) have received a "Notice of Disapproved Claim", a "Notice of Reconsideration" or "Notice of Federal Reviewing Official Decision; 3) disagree with the disability decision; and 4) live in the United States or one of its territories. Visit the Social Security Administration's (SSA) Web site to use this online appeal option. Visit the Benefits section of DisabilityInfo.gov for more information on the eligibility requirements for Social Security disability benefits. |
In Your Community |
Employment NetworksThe Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program is an employment program for people with disabilities who are interested in going back to work. The Ticket Program increases opportunities and choices for Social Security disability beneficiaries in obtaining employment, vocational rehabilitation and other support services from public and private providers, employers and other organizations called Employment Networks (ENs). Under the program, an individual receiving disability benefits can contact one or more ENs to discuss services and, once an agreement between the beneficiary and EN is reached, the two work together to develop a work plan to help the beneficiary reach his or her employment goals. For a list of ENs in your state, visit the Employment Network Directory, or click on your state in the Benefits section of DisabilityInfo.gov. Aging and Disability Resource CentersAging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) promote the integration of long-term care information and referral services. These centers help consumers complete financial applications for Medicaid and obtain long-term supports and services. By serving all income groups and all disabilities, ADRCs assist a wide range of individuals, including family caregivers, in obtaining long-term supports and services in the most desirable and appropriate setting. Visit the ADRC Locator to find a center in your state. More resources for older Americans can be found in the Health section of DisabilityInfo.gov. Disability Program NavigatorsDisability Program Navigators (DPNs) work in One-Stop Career Centers around the country. They help people with disabilities "navigate" through the challenges of seeking work. Complex rules surrounding entitlement programs, along with fear of losing cash assistance and health benefits, can often discourage people with disabilities from working. The DPN initiative was established to better inform beneficiaries and other people with disabilities about work support programs and help them understand the many programs and services that impact their employment (e.g., transportation, housing, health care, etc.). To find the Disability Program Navigator in your state, visit DOL's Employment and Training Administration Web site or click on your state in the Employment section of DisabilityInfo.gov. Emergency PreparednessTo protect the security of our communities, each state has a homeland security and emergency services office that works with federal, state and local partners to prevent acts of terrorism, protect lives and safeguard property. Each state office works closely with both public and private sector stakeholders in a wide range of disciplines, including law enforcement, emergency medical and fire services, public works, agriculture, public health and safety, communications and transportation. To find information addressing the needs of people with disabilities in emergency situations in your state, visit the Department of Homeland Security Web site or click on your state in the Community Life section of DisabilityInfo.gov. The federal government's Disability Preparedness Web site is another useful source for practical information on how people with and without disabilities can prepare for an emergency. |
Grants & Funding |
Grants to Develop Transportation-Related ADA MaterialsThe Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Office of Civil Rights is seeking proposals to research and develop materials that will help consumers better understand how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can be best applied in the transportation of people with disabilities. Applicants must also develop a public information program to distribute these educational materials. The request for proposals can be downloaded in .pdf format from FTA's Web site. The application deadline is February 5, 2008. For information about other such funding opportunities, visit Grants & Funding in the Transportation section of DisabilityInfo.gov. State Programs to Improve Long-Term Educational Planning for Children with DisabilitiesThe Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) recently announced the availability of a grant to improve long-term planning for children with disabilities through multi-year Individualized Education Programs (IEP). An IEP is the cornerstone of a quality education for each child with a disability and creates an opportunity for teachers, parents, school administrators and students to work together to improve results. This grant program is designed to provide an opportunity for states to allow parents and local educational agencies to engage in long-term planning by offering the option of developing a comprehensive multi-year IEP, not to exceed three years, that is designed to coincide with the natural transition points for children. The deadline for applications is February 11, 2008. More information is available from the Federal Register notice or by clicking on Grants & Funding in the Education section of DisablityInfo.gov. Research to Aid Persons with DisabilitiesThe Research to Aid Persons with Disabilities (RAPD) program supports research that will lead to the development of new technologies, devices or software for persons with disabilities. Research should support the characterization, restoration and/or substitution of human functional ability or cognition, or to the interaction of persons with disabilities and their environment. Areas of particular interest include disability-related research in neuroscience/neuroengineering and rehabilitation robotics. Applicants are encouraged to contact a program director prior to submitting a proposal. See the Web site of the National Science Foundation for application deadlines. Visit Grants & Funding in the Health section of DisabilityInfo.gov for more funding opportunities. Grants to Help State Medicaid Agencies Support the Employment of People with DisabilitiesThe Demonstration to Maintain Independence and Employment program addresses the needs of people who have physical or mental impairments that may lead to a disability. This demonstration authority allows States to help working individuals by providing necessary benefits and services required for people to manage the progression of their conditions and stay employed. Proposals will be accepted until March 15, 2008, and can be downloaded here. Visit DisabilityInfo.gov's Work Incentives section for information on more programs that help people with disabilities return to work and maintain their independence. |
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