Disability Resources
Disability Resources For Employers| Disability Resources For Employers | Last Updated: August 08, 2008 |
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Disability Resources For Employers
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Assistive Technology
New England Assistive Technology Center at Oak Hill - the NEAT Center at Oak Hill brings people with temporary or permanent disabilities, seniors, families and professionals together with equipment, services and training to enhance independence at school, work or home.
Disability Initiatives in Connecticut
Able Lives - promotes the full inclusion of people with disabilities in community life.
Connect-Ability - a web site designed to identify and remove barriers to employment faced by people with disabilities. Supports employers of all sizes and in all industries who are seeking qualified workers, and people with disabilities of all ages who are seeking employment for the first time or who want a new challenge. NOTE: Be Sure to watch "Able Lives: Incorporated" on CPTV - a 5-part series that looks at the issues facing people with disabilities. The next episode will air on Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 9:00 p.m.
Educational
An Introduction to Disability Etiquette - a presentation on Disability Etiquette. Proper etiquette is important in all professional situations, and employees need to know what is appropriate when working with a colleague or client that may have a disability.
Communicating With and About People with Disabilities - this web site lists some suggestions on how to relate to and communicate with and about people with disabilities.
Employers and the ADA: Myths and Facts - the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a landmark federal law that protects the rights of people with disabilities by eliminating barriers to their participation in many aspects of living and working in America. In particular, the ADA prohibits covered employers from discriminating against people with disabilities in the full range of employment-related activities, from recruitment to advancement, to pay and benefits.
Employment Checklist for Hiring Persons With Disabilities – practical suggestions for hiring persons with disabilities.
Preparing for and Conducting an Effective Job Interview - a federal web site listing guidelines to ensure that persons with disabilities are afforded a fair and equitable opportunity to present their job qualifications.
Ready, Willing and Available: A Business Guide for Hiring People with Disabilities - information prepared by volunteer representatives from companies and government agencies with long records of hiring people with disabilities.
What you should know about workplace laws - during the last few years, employees have been exposed to many new laws, regulations, and acronyms. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) impact upon the workplace. This web site lists the various laws that have been enacted.
Federal Resources
Architectural & Transportation Barriers Compliance Board - develops and maintains design criteria for the built environment, transit vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and for electronic and information technology. Provides technical assistance and training on these requirements and on accessible design and continues to enforce accessibility standards that cover federally funded facilities.
DisabilityInfo.gov - a comprehensive online resource designed to provide people with disabilities with quick and easy access to information. Provides access to disability-related information and programs available across the government on numerous subjects, including benefits, civil rights, community life, education, employment, housing, health, technology and transportation.
Health and Human Services Office on Disability (OD) Oversees the implementation and coordination of disability programs, policies and special initiatives pertaining to the over 54 million persons with disabilities in the United States.
National Business & Disability Council – The NBDC is a leading resource for employers seeking to integrate people with disabilities into the workplace and companies seeking to reach them in the consumer marketplace.
New England ADA & Accessible IT Center/Boston, MA (617) 695-0085 - one of ten regional ADA & IT Technical Assistance Centers that provide ADA information, training and technical assistance to businesses.
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) ADA Home Page - the ADA Home Page includes many excellent resources for employers. The “ADA Business Connection” section of this site includes business briefs ad tax incentive information.
USDOL Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) 1-866-633-7365 - Employer Policy Team examines the issues facing employers as they seek to hire, accommodate and advance employees with disabilities. This team works to shape disability employment policies that meet the needs of employers and people with disabilities. Disseminates effective employer practices and articulates the unique perspectives of businesses regarding the employment of people with disabilities.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 1-800-669-4000 - the EEOC enforces the ADA’s employment provisions. The section of its Web site titled “Disability Discrimination” provides access to numerous publications, including several specifically designed to answer employer questions and concerns.
Mental Health
Chrysalis Center Inc. (860) 293-6366 - provides employment services to adults with psychiatric disabilities. The teams focus on finding employment that best matches the skills and interests of each worker; and a large pool of workers is available to meet a variety of staffing needs.
Connecticut’s Network of Care for Behavioral Health - resource for individuals, families and agencies concerned with mental health, providing information about mental health services, laws, and related news, as well as communication tools and other features.
Recruitment Assistance
Employer Assistance & Recruiting Network (EARN) 1-866-327-6669 - EARN is a free service that connects employers looking for quality employees with skilled job candidates. This web site is a one stop source for disability employment information including: recruiting services, tools and resources, employer success stories and business case for hiring people with disabilities.
Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) 1-202-693-7880 - WRP helps employers identify qualified college students with disabilities for summer work experience and in some cases full-time employment. Offers employers a database of pre-screened college graduates seeking temporary or permanent jobs. Employers may search the database by state or job category.
Board of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB) (860) 602-4000 - responsible for initiating, coordinating and implementing the education and training of Connecticut’s blind and visually impaired residents. BESB serves Connecticut’s blind adults through ongoing educational, vocational and living skills programs in order to empower them to achieve employment success in their chosen profession and to enhance their self-sufficiency.
Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) 1-800-537-2549 - BRS offers vocational rehabilitation and independent living services to persons with physical and/or mental disabilities to enhance their employability and self-sufficiency. Assists employers in making job site accommodations. Staff can refer employers to rehabilitation engineers, job accommodation specialist and other employment consultation services.
Commission on Deaf and Hearing Impaired - web site of the Commission on Deaf and Hearing Impaired. Advocates, strengthens and implements state policies affecting Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals and their relationship to the public, industry, health care, and educational opportunities.
CT Business Leadership Network (860) 277-4049) - Connecticut Business Leadership Network (CTBLN) is a growing coalition of Connecticut Employers that work together to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Department of Labor - Connecticut Works 1-888-CT WORKS - the Department of Labor assists people seeking jobs through a statewide network of employment assistance centers.
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services - web site of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). Promotes and administers comprehensive, recovery-oriented services in the areas of mental health treatment and substance abuse prevention and treatment throughout Connecticut.
Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities (860) 263-6067 - the Governor’s Committee facilitates the development and implementation of programs and initiatives for the employment of people with disabilities. (PPT, 459KB)
Tax Credit Incentives for Businesses - businesses can apply for tax credits for some accommodations provided for people with disabilities.
Workplace Accommodations
Job Accommodation Network (JAN) 1-800-526-7234 - a free, consulting service from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) that provides individualized accommodations solutions and technical assistance on the ADA. Among the areas that JAN can address are:
Accommodation options and low-cost solutions
Hiring, retaining and promoting qualified employees with disabilities
Employer responsibilities under the ADA
Reducing workers’ compensation and other insurance costs
Addressing accessibility issues
Published by the Connecticut Department of Labor, Project Management Office