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 September 15, 2003
You can find this and previous issues of e.News online at http://www.ntac.hawaii.edu
~ Announcements
~ Resources
~ Institutes / Conferences
~ Research / Publications
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Call for Entries Ð Submission Deadline: ongoing
NTAC-AAPI wants to talk to people with disabilities that use an adaptive device
or method to improve productivity in their work. The purpose is simply to
inspire others who can learn from your methods. It's an opportunity to show off
your work on a website that gets hundreds of visitors each month. We'd like to
ask you some brief questions and post an image of you at work. Nothing will be
posted without your prior consent! To participate in Adaptive Employees, please
email: melake.conway@cds.hawaii.edu. We will send you interview questions
and/or call you, depending on what works best for you. Thank you!
The ADA and Reasonable
Accommodations in the Workplace - September 22 through October 31, 2003
This course is for employers, HR
professionals, front line supervisors, small business owners, rehabilitation
professionals, or anyone who wants to learn more about the ADA and reasonable
accommodations in the workplace. http://www.vcu.edu/rrtcweb/cyberu/webcourse/ada.html
AMMR announces the call for papers
for the 128th annual meeting to be held in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, June 1-4, 2004. The
AMMR 2004 annual meeting will focus on a new broader understanding of what
health means for persons with intellectual disabilities. All proposals should
be submitted electronically.
Instructions for submitting electronic proposals is available on the
AAMR website: http://www.aamr.org
The PAUL G. HEARNE/AAPD LEADERSHIP AWARDS
Up to three people with disabilities who are emerging as
leaders in their respective fields will each receive $10,000 to help them
continue their progress as leader. They will also have an opportunity to meet
and network with national disability leaders at the AAPD Leadership Gala in
Washington, DC in early 2004. U.S. residents with any type of disability are
eligible to apply. http://www.aapd.com/docs/2003hearne.html
An interactive and open forum for
examining the stereotypes and misconceptions about people with disabilities.
Training has been designed for employers, managers/supervisors, HR
professionals, and co-workers. http://www.worksupport.com/biznet/da/daintro.html.
Disability Mentoring Day:
Career Development for the 21st Century Ð October 15, 2003
On behalf of the National
Technical Assistance Center (NTAC-AAPI)
here in Honolulu, Hawaii, we invite you to become a Workplace Mentor to a
student or job seeker with a disability. DMD is internationally hosted by the
American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) in collaboration with
the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) of the U.S. Department of
Labor and a host of corporate, governmental, and non-profit partners. See url: http://www.ntac.hawaii.edu/training/Mentor_recruitment.htm
for information and mentor application form.
Dancing Wheels, a professional classical/modern Dance Company comprised of stand-up and sit-down (wheelchair) dancers is seeking to hire one or two wheelchair dancers. Resumes and audition tapes will be accepted to the Attention of Mary Verdi-Fletcher @ Dancing Wheels 3615 Euclid Avenue 3rd Floor Cleveland, OH 44115. Please call (216) 432-0306 or e-mail us at Proflair1@aol.com. http://www.gggreg.com/dancingwheels.htm.
Title IV of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
A summary of the changes provided by Senate staff can be found on AUCD's website at: http://www.aucd.org/legislative_affairs/rehab_draft_summary.htm
Promoting self-determination and
choice is an important aspect of vocational rehabilitation, supported
employment, and other disability support areas. Dr. Wehmeyer will focus on
self-determination's relevance to workplace support and employment issues, and
will provide specificity with regard to strategies to promote
self-determination, including determining personal preferences, supporting
informed career decision making and goal setting, and work related problem
solving. http://www.vcu.edu/rrtcweb/cyberu/orderform.html
The 2003 Henry B. Betts
Award - Nomination Deadline: October 10, 2003
Successful
nominees will have demonstrated a strong vision and understanding of how to
improve the quality of life for Americans with disabilities; possess a record
of efforts and accomplishments that have affected a wide disability population;
and have served as a powerful force for change, enhancing the opportunities for
people with disabilities to participate fully in all aspects of society. http://www.aapd-dc.org/docs/2003bettsapp.html
Exhibit Ke HoÔomaka Õana (The
Beginning) by Native Hawaiian Artist Michael Lowell Cheek Jr. - September
15-30, 2003 ¥ 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Volcano JoeÕs Island Bistro, 1810
University Ave. (free validated parking on Metcalf St.)
Native Hawaiian artist Michael
Cheek Jr. began his creative arts journey as a visual artist after a near-death
crisis changed the course of his life. SPECIAL EVENT: Meet the Artist at a
reception, Sept. 19, 2003, 5 to 8 p.m.
TO REACH THE ARTIST: Cheek to Cheek Visual Arts 808-234-6614; vsahawaii@verizon.net
Accessible America is a $25,000 award competition open to all cities and towns acrosss the nation. Its purpose is to recognize and promote replication of exemplary practices that communities use to facilitate the comprehensive involvement of citizens with disabilities in community life. http://www.nod.org/section.cfm?id=81
The Leach Trust is offering
bursaries for three disabled graduates to study for a one-year post-graduate
course in broadcast production, broadcast journalism or print journalism. mweston@glyndon.demon.co.uk
"ADA Update: 13 Years
Later"
Transcript of the July 15, 2003 Distance Learning session "ADA Update: 13
Years Later" featuring John Wodatch, Chief-Disability Rights Section, U.S.
Department of Justice and Sharon Rennert, Attorney Advisor, U.S. Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission, is available for viewing. Listen to the
audio recording of the session as well. http://www.adagreatlakes.org/transcript/adaupdate.htm
The California State Council on Developmental Disabilities announces its The 2003 Poster Art Contest "VALUED, SAFE & RESPECTED" -- promoting safety for individuals with developmental disabilities. This theme will illustrate various aspects of being safe in the community, at home, work, and other settings. Details and entry forms are online at http://www.scdd.ca.gov.
National Council on Disability
Says Employment for People with Disabilities
Remains Far Too Low
The National Council on Disability (NCD) released an
excerpt from its annual report, National Disability Policy: A Progress Report
(July 2003), which highlights a number of issues related to the challenges for
advancing employment opportunities across the nation for people with
disabilities. http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/progressreport_final.html
The Bush Administration transmitted a draft bill to Congress on July 25, 2003 based on the President's NFI budget proposal submitted to Congress in February. This legislation is intended to support community-based alternatives to institutionalization for individuals with disabilities and to help states implement the Supreme Court's 1999 Olmstead decision. http://www.aucd.org/Medicaid/NFI_legislation_summary.htm
RESOURCES
ARC Industries, Inc. /
Employment Connections
ARC Industries is in the planning stage
for developing an organizational strategic plan. It is focusing attention
specifically on expanding and improving supported employment. In the next two
years, ARC Industries, Inc. plans to target 25 individuals for movement from
14c minimum wage work to competitive work. Email: bjmaxwell@bartnet.net
AtWork!
AtWork! a United Way agency, is a
nonprofit community rehabilitation program that provides job development and
work training for individuals with disabilities. AtWork! was developed by
concerned parents and high school staff members who were dedicated to providing
job opportunities for students with disabilities. http://www.atwork-issaquah.com/about.htm
U.S. Paralympics and NDSA are both recruiting national team level players and seeking to develop club level play around the country (in late 2003 and 2004). http://www.radissoncommunity.org/soccersurvey.html
The Babcock Center is in the midst
of a substantial organizational change with a firm commitment to providing a
person-centered and self-directed model of supports to services to the eleven
hundred men and women with disabilities served. The Babcock Center has a plan
to assist 200 individuals with disabilities currently attending the Work Activity
Centers to find competitive employment by July 2005. http://www.babcockcenter.org
Cranston ARC has embarked on an
organizational change activity that strives to expand employment opportunities
as an alternative to traditional supports offered to the individuals with
disabilities it serves under the DOL 14c waiver. Over the next two years, 30-40
individuals currently served through use of DOL 14c Special Minimum Wage waiver
are targeted to move into competitive employment. http://www.cranstonarc.org
The goal of NEVINSinc is that each
person served has a job in an environment where individuals with and without
disabilities work side-by-side experiencing full inclusion within the
community. http://www.t-tap.org/ta/exitTARecip4.htm
Medicaid serves over 7 million
people with disabilities in the United States. Medicaid is the primary public
source of funding for health and long term services and supports for people
with disabilities of all ages. It is the largest source of state and local
spending for disability services in the country. http://www.thearc.org/medicaid
INSTITUTES /
CONFERENCES
World Congress & Exposition on Disabilities - SEPTEMBER 18 - 20,
2003
Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida
Meet Human Resource Managers of Private Companies & Government Agencies hiring Persons with Disabilities at 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
Teleconference: Web site
accessibility for students with disabilities
The teleconference is designed for school
information technology professionals, webmasters, administrators, special
educators, teachers, and disability advocates, but anyone with interest may
participate. The teleconference is free, but space is limited. Pre-registration
is required by September 23, 2003. Register online at
http://www.pacer.org/workshops or call the PACER Center at 952-838-9000
(voice); (952) 838-0190 (TTY); or (800) 537-2237 (toll free in Minnesota).
Emerging
Technologies & Healthcare Innovations Conference - September 22-24, 2003
Marriott Wardman Park, Washington, DC
The Emerging Technologies & Healthcare Innovations Congress provides
healthcare industry executives with an in-depth conference convening
clinicians, healthcare executives, technology thought leaders and vendors to
address the impact and promise of technology and innovation on the future of
healthcare. For more information about TETHIC,
visit http://www.tethic.com.
OPPORTUNITIES CONFERENCE 2003 Ð September 24-25, 2003
Asian Pacific and Hispanic Americans:
Building on America's Promise
The Opportunities Conference is the first
conference of its kind focused on strengthening the economic development of the
Asian Pacific and Hispanic American communities. By reaching out to small
business owners, non-profit organizations, and community leaders, this
innovative conference will address the needs of the two fastest growing
segments of the 21st century workforce. http://www.opportunitiesconference.gov
Women with Disabilities and Allies Forum: Linking Arms for Equality and Justice for All - October 17 -19, 2003
Bethesda, Maryland
The NOW Foundation and the American Association of People with Disabilities are jointly sponsoring a "Women with Disabilities and Allies Forum" to foster the discussion among and to bring together women living with disabilities, disability rights activists, abortion rights activists, other feminists, and supportive allies from across the country to discuss ableism, feminism, and other issues of mutual concern. http://www.nowfoundation.org/issues/disability/forum2003/index.html
Roanoke, VA
The Division on Career Development
and Transition (DCDT) of the Council for
Exceptional Children (CEC)
presents their twelfth international conference on the field of career
development and transition. This yearÕs conference presents informative
discussions and presentations to national, state, and local professionals and
leaders on critical issues facing children, adolescents, and young adults with
disabilities as they prepare for adult life. http://www.dcdt.org/conferences
6th Annual
Conference of the U.S. Business Leadership Network Ð November 5-7, 2003
San Francisco, California
This year's program will emphasize best practices and informational sessions designed to assist employers to more effectively employ people with disabilities. http://www.cabln.org/BLN_SUMMIT03/index.htm
6th Annual Accessing
Higher Ground Conference: Assistive Technology and Accessible Media in Higher Education - November 11 - 14, 2003
University of Colorado Ð Boulder,
Colorado
Accessing Higher Ground focuses on the implementation and benefits of Assistive Technology in the university and college setting for sensory, physical and learning disabilities. http://www.colorado.edu/sacs/ATconference
Chicago, Illinois
The TASH conference is the largest
and most progressive conference in the United States that focuses on strategies
for achieving full inclusion for people with disabilities. This invigorating
conference, which brings together the best hearts and minds in the disability
movement, features over 450 breakout sessions, exhibits, roundtable discussions,
poster sessions and much more. http://www.tash.org/2003conference/intro.htm
ATIA 2004 Conference and Exhibition - January 14-17, 2004
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
ATIA 2004 serves as a leading forum for the Assistive Technology community to participate in presentations and discussions about new technology, practical applications, and services. http://www.atia.org/conf_2004.html
RESEARCH / PUBLICATIONS
Center for Workforce
Preparation (CWP)
Undertaken in collaboration
with Virginia Commonwealth University, this five-year project focuses
on barriers related to the employment of individuals with disabilities. CWP
promotes materials -- regarding related issues and concerns, such as
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and business tax credits and
incentives -- to 3,000 state and local chambers. http://www.uschamber.com/cwp/strategies/disabilities/default
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND
POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
The National Council on Disability
(NCD) undertook this synthesis in anticipation of the reauthorization of the
Higher Education Act (HEA). Students with disabilities, who now are estimated
to represent nearly 10 percent of all college students, currently experience
outcomes far inferior to those of their non-disabled peers, despite the fact
that research shows that they are more likely to obtain positive professional
employment outcomes after degree completion than their peers. The purpose of
this paper is to provide background that might guide reauthorization of the HEA
to better support students with disabilities to achieve equal postsecondary
outcomes.
http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/education.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 September 23rd) or if you wish to stop receiving these messages, please contact M.E. Lake Conway at: melake.conway@cds.hawaii.edu