National Technical Assistance Center (NTAC-AAPI)

Òto increase employment opportunities for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with DisabilitiesÓ - FUNDED BY: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, REHABILITATION SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

 

Semi-Monthly e.News Ð June 15, 2003
You can find this and previous issues of e.News online at http://www.ntac.hawaii.edu


~ Announcements

~ Resources

~ Institutes / Conferences

~ Research

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WEBCAST ON 508 IMPLEMENTATION

Internet TV Channel and leading assistive technology portal AT508.com, an affiliate on the TVWorldwide.com network, announced it will offer a free live video webcast of the National Town Meeting to Rescue Section 508, to be held June 20, 2003 2:00 PM ET, on-line at www.AT508.com. For more information, contact Dave Gardy, dgardy@tvworldwide.com, www.tvworldwide.com, (703) 961-9250 ext. 221 John Williams, JMMAW@aol.com, www.at508.com, (703) 404-0071.

 

President Bush Renews Executive Order on Asian American And Pacific Islanders

President George W. Bush signed an amendment to Executive Order 13125, extending the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for an additional two years. This action comes on the two-year anniversary of the original issuance of Executive Order 13125 which aims to increase the participation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in federal programs where they are currently underserved. http://www.aapi.gov/news/renew.htm

 

WEB CAST on STUDYING the EMPLOYMENT of PERSONS with DISABILITIES - Wednesday, June 18,

3:00-4:30pm Eastern, 2:00 Central, 1:00 Mountain, and 12:00 Pacific.

This Web cast will explore the ADA's impact on the employment prospects of

qualified persons covered by the law.  The presenters will describe the

predominant economic models of labor market behavior and discrimination and

discuss how those models have been used to develop predictions regarding the

ADA's impact on employment. To link to this Web cast and download accompanying materials visit: http://www.ilru.org/online/index.html.  For technical assistance contact a Web cast team member at webcast@ilru.org or 713/520-0232 (v/tty).

 

EASI Webcast: DEVELOPING POLICY FOR MAKING DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMS ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE

Dr. Sheryl Burgstahler presents a detailed overview of making distance learning accessible to everyone. Presented as part of the EASI track and the CSUN Conference in March of 2002. "Distance learning courses offer opportunities for education and career enhancement for those who have access to the technologies they employ. However, even if they have access to assistive technology, some people with disabilities face barriers to distance learning courses because of the inaccessible design of coursework.Ó
http://www.rit.edu/~easi

EASI's Online Courses: JULY
http://easi.cc/workshops.htm and take links to syllabus and registration.

Beginner Barrier-free Web Design: http://easi.cc/workshops/easiweb.htm

This course is a month long and instructor-led, aimed for those who design web pages but who are not technical HTML editors.  We take the jargon out of accessible web design.
Train the Trainer: http://easi.cc/workshops/train.htm
This course will introduce you to the beginner set of commands you will need to know to get your users started including handouts and tip sheets to jog your memory. You cannot be expert on all these systems.  
** Note: In August EASI will offer its course: Barrier-free E-learning which connects to the webcast listed above: http://easi.cc/workshops/bfel.htm

HHS AWARDS NEARLY $3.5 MILLION TO PROMOTE DIVERSITY IN THE NURSING WORKFORCE
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced the release of 16 grants totaling nearly $3.5 million to support nursing education opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. The grants will fund scholarships or stipends and pre-entry preparation and retention activities for disadvantaged students, including students from racial and ethnic minority groups that are underrepresented among registered nurses.   http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/reinvestmentact.htm.

 

ÒLIVE IT UP, LIVE, HAWAIÔIÓ - August 15, 2003

BeethovenÕs Nightmare and other Musicians, Hard Rock CafŽ, Honolulu, HI

Hawai'i Musicians, singers and songwriters and chanters with disabilities will perform with BeethovenÕs Nightmare, America's only All-Deaf Professional Rock and Roll Band. VSA arts of Hawaii-Pacific www.vsarts.hawaii.edu, a nationally linked organization launches its ÒArtists UnlimitedÓ project promoting professional career opportunities in the arts for people with disabilities. Advanced tickets go on sale Tuesday, May 27 for $25 each (include dinner pupu and beverage) To reserve your tickets, call Hawaii Services on Deafness in Honolulu at 808-926-4763.

 

RESOURCES

DOT Toll Free Hotline for Air Travelers with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Transportation is calling on all disability organizations to promote public education about its Toll Free Hotline for air travelers with disabilities through their organization newsletters, list-serves and sponsored events.  The Toll Free Hotline for disabled air travelers has been in operation since August 2002 and is available for callers from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time, seven days a week.  Air travelers who want information about the rights of persons with disabilities in air travel or who experience disability-related air travel service problems may call the Hotline to obtain assistance at: 1-800-778-4838 (voice) or 1-800-455-9880 (TTY).

 

DO-IT: AccessCAREERS

Successful work experiences and career preparation activities increase a student's chances of obtaining employment upon completion of an academic program.

http://www.washington.edu/doit/Careers

 

ACCESS-IT

AccessIT promotes the use of electronic and information technology (E&IT) for students and employees with disabilities in educational institutions at all academic levels. http://www.washington.edu/accessit/

JOB DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES

Resources on the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in their communities.

 http://www.trninc.com/marketingres.html

Self Employment: From Dream to Reality!
This unique workbook leads readers through the planning and start-up process for starting a small business. With very clear explanation, examples, exercises, and worksheets you learn what it takes to succeed. It is perfect for individuals with little money or business experience and makes intimidating topics easy to understand.

http://www.trninc.com/selfemploy.htm

 

INSTITUTES / CONFERENCES
RESNA 26th International Conference on Technology & Disability: Research, Design, Practice, and Policy - June 19-23
Atlanta, Georgia

RESNA is the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America, an interdisciplinary association of people with a common interest in technology and disability. For more information, email info@resna.org or see http://www.resna.org/conferences

 

Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment for Artists with Disabilities Ð June 23 through September 3, 2003

University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI

This 12-week institute includes lectures, group exercises, case studies, and community fieldwork to develop a business plan and begin self-employment.  Weekly sessions will cover business and marketing planning and development, facilitated by UH-Manoa Pacific Business Center faculty, other Honolulu community enterprises, and small business and marketing development experts.  Sponsored by VSAarts of Hawaii-Pacific Ð http://www.vsarts.hawaii.edu, the University of HawaiiÕs College of Education - http://www.hawaii.edu/coe/index.html and the National Technical Assistance Center (NTAC-AAPI) Ð http://www.ntac.hawaii.edu.  For more information, contact Susan Miller at susan.miller@cds.hawaii.edu, 808-945-1438.

NFB National Conventions - June 28-July 4, 2003
Louisville, Kentucky
NFB Conventions give government representatives, agency administrators, and leaders in politics, business, and industry the opportunity to address and respond to a large nationwide audience primarily of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The topics of interest include: relevant civil rights issues; rehabilitation of the blind for competitive employment; the operation of vending facilities by blind persons on public property; specialized library services for the blind; Social Security and Supplemental Security Income programs; advancements in technology; the organization and funding of federal programs; and other timely topics.  http://www.nfb.org/convent/convens2.htm

National Veterans Wheelchair Games Come to California Ð July 5-9, 2003

Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, Long beach, California

More than 500 disabled veterans will compete in the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world, the 23rd National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Long Beach, Calif., during July 5-9. For more information about the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, see url: http://www.wheelchairgames.org

AHEAD 2003 26th Annual Conference Ð July 8-12, 2003

Hyatt Regency, Dallas, Texas

The Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD) is an international, multicultural organization of professionals committed to full participation in higher education for persons with disabilities. The Association is a vital resource, promoting excellence through education, communication and training. http://www.ahead.org

 

The Fourteenth Annual APSE Conference - July 20-23, 2003
San Diego, California
This conference and training event provides an opportunity to work on integrated employment opportunities and supports for people who most need the support on these issues and challenges.   http://www.apse.org

 

World Congress & Exposition on Disabilities - SEPTEMBER 18 - 20, 2003

Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida

The World Congress & Exposition on Disabilities (WCD), a precedent-setting annual international conference and trade event, is intended to educate, inform and provide a useful exchange of ideas for persons with disabilities and special healthcare needs and those involved in their care and development. http://www.wcdexpo.com

 

International Conference on Aging, Disability, and Independence Ð December 4-6, 2003

The International Conference on Aging, Disability, and Independence will bring together researchers, practitioners, business leaders and people involved in aging policy to focus on these issues. The conference will include sessions related to research and development, practice, products and services and policies. http://www.rerc.ufl.edu

Designing for the 21st Century - An International Conference on
Universal Design - March 3-7, 2004

Havana, Cuba
Adaptive Environments, an educational NPO, plans a conference centered on building a dialogue between the developed and developing economies on universal design.
http://www.adaptiveenvironments.org/21century/index.php?f=1

RESEARCH / PUBLICATIONS

Technical Assistance Guide: Helping Students with Cognitive Disabilities Find and Keep a Job

This Technical Assistance Guide is designed to assist families, transition specialists, employers, and others in helping students with significant cognitive disabilities find and keep a job. http://www.nichcy.org/stuguid.asp#st2

 

Final Regulations Implementing the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program

(The Ticket to Work Program)

The purpose of the policy brief is to describe the major provisions in the final regulation implementing the new Ticket to Work program. The policy brief serves as a resource for stakeholders interested in implementing the new program. http://www.communityinclusion.org/publications/text/pb8text.html

 

Continued Employability of Older Adults with Mental Retardation

The primary goal of this project is to examine a range of employment retention practices and worker benefit programs that can aid older adults with MR maintain their employability and gain from worker's earned benefits. http://www.uic.edu/orgs/rrtcamr/research5_1.htm

 

Job Search Handbook

A complete career planning and job search guide to help identify strengths and abilities, explore career options, and locate job openings in the hidden job market. http://www.trninc.com/jobsearchhandbook.htm

 

From Stress to Success: Making Social Security Work for Your Young Adult

How does Social Security affect families as their children move into adulthood? The Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) conducted a study with parents of high school students with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a Social Security benefit for people who have disabilities and meet income guidelines. This brief shares their experiences and suggests ways that your family can manage SSI and use it to help your young adult plan for a career. http://www.communityinclusion.org/publications/text/to13.html

 

NTAC-AAPI maintains an email list of persons in the disability-related fields that will

remain private. This information has been sent as a courtesy. If you would like to make news contributions to the next issue (deadline Ð June 24th) of if you wish to stop receiving these messages, please contact M.E. Lake Conway at: melake.conway@cds.hawaii.edu