17th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act - July 26, 2007
PROCLAMATION BY PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH
On the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we celebrate our progress towards an America where individuals with disabilities are recognized for their talents and contributions to our society. We also underscore our commitment to extend the full liberties and freedoms of our great country to all Americans. Read the entire proclamation: www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/07/20070724-8.html
U.S. SECRETARY OF LABOR ELAINE L. CHAO RECOGNIZES 17TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
Read the news release from the U.S. Department of Labor commemorating the 17th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act – http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20071130.htm
NEW VIDEO RELEASED TODAY!!! How to Improve ROI: Employment Solutions for Small Business
More than 18 million people with disabilities are currently employed in America’s workforce. Are you curious about how your small business can tap into these available resources and increase its return on investment by hiring people with disabilities? Watch this roundtable discussion and learn more about how a few employers saved time and money by successfully promoting the employment of people with disabilities. To view the video, please go to: http://www.dol.gov/odep/newfreedom/coc2007/videos.htm
DISABILITYINFO.GOV NOW HAS A STATE AND LOCAL RESOURCES FEATURE
With more than 5,000 visits each day, www.DisabilityInfo.gov is a one-stop federal government Web site that provides comprehensive information for nearly 50 million people with disabilities. Topics include benefits, community life, civil rights, education, employment, health, housing, technology and transportation. A new state and local resources map assists users in locating resources and contacts in their own states and territories.
HIGH SCHOOL/HIGH TECH DIRECTOR IS FINALIST ON ABC’S “AMERICAN INVENTOR”
Rick DeRennaux, who receives ODEP funding for his HS/HT program in Oklahoma, is a finalist on ABC’s prime time television show “American Inventor.”His invention, HT Custom Build Racers, allows students to custom design, engineer and build remote control boats, cars and airplanes. http://www.dol.gov/odep/programs/high.htm
ODEP’S HIGH SCHOOL/HIGH TECH PROGRAM RECOGNIZED BY U.S. DEPT. OF EDUCATION OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES
Calling ODEP’s High School/High Tech (HS/HT) program “a comprehensive transition program model with proven success,” the U.S. Dept of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services issued an information memorandum to their State Vocational Rehabilitation grantees recommending the program as “one possible strategy for assisting youth with disabilities in transitioning from secondary education.” The HS/HT program uses a variety of evidence-based strategies as set forth in the Guideposts for Success to provide youth with all types of disabilities opportunities to explore careers and obtain needed skills. To read the memorandum, please go to: www.dol.gov/odep/documents/transition_programs.htm
Out of 3,500 students participating in the High School/High Tech program nationally in August 2006, only 12 dropped out, in contrast to the national drop out rate for youth with disabilities of about 30%.
