NTAC e.News — July 1, 2005

Announcements: Local

ONLINE COURSE

The first free online course on AAPI culture is nearing completion. Express your interest in future courses now! NTAC-AAPI has created a free online course for VR professionals. The web-based, continuing education credit, distance-learning course is offered through the Center on Disability Studies at the University of Hawaii, Manoa. Professor Paul Leung of the Department of Rehabilitation, Social Work and Addictions at the University of North Texas and Associate Professor Nanzhang Hampton of the University of Massachusetts- Boston are conducting the course. Approximately 10 hours of Continuing Education can be earned. For more information please contact Amy Nawatani, Training Coordinator at amy.nawatani@cds.hawaii.edu.

For future online courses for VR Professionals, please contact James Brightman, VR Coordinator at james.brightman@cds.hawaii.edu.

NEW HIRE.US EMPLOYER

Puna Kamali‘i Flowers, Inc., a small, family-owned business on the big island of Hawai‘i that provides Habilitation-Supported Employment and Personal Assistance Services to individuals with developmental disabilities is hiring. They are part of the Ticket- to-Work Employment Network through the U.S. Social Security Administration and are seeking other individuals with disabilities, either physical or developmental, who are interested in working there. This is a wonderful opportunity for Asian American or Pacific Islanders with disabilities that live on or near the big island. Ticket-to-Work eligibility is beneficial; however, it is not a requirement. To find out if you are eligible for a Ticket-to-Work, feel free to contact 1-866-YOURTICKET, toll-free.

For a list of current positions available, please visit their website at http://www.punakamaliiflowers.com and click on the Jobs section. There is also an online forum for discussion of disability-related issues at http://forums.punakamaliiflowers.com which has free registration.

DISABILITY MENTORING DAY PLANNING

NTAC-AAPI is looking for potential mentors and mentees. Please contact amy.nawatani@cds.hawaii.edu to participate. Disability Mentoring Day, a national effort to promote the employment of students with disabilities through mentoring, will be held on October 19th, 2005. The program promotes career development for students and job-seekers with disabilities through job shadowing and hands-on career exploration. DMD is a partnership of the Office of Disability Employment Policy of the US Department of Labor and the American Association of Persons with Disabilities. Last year, 9,000 youth with disabilities from all 50 states, Washington DC, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico gained a first-hand look into career opportunities as they spent the day working in over 1,500 businesses, nonprofits, and government organizations. DMD is a wonderful avenue for minorities with disabilities to learn about and/or enter the workforce. To learn more about Disability Mentoring Day activities visit http://www.dmd-aapd.org/.

Announcements: National and International

President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Conduct Latest Technical Assistance Forum and Site Visit in North Carolina

The President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, aware that Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities are emerging in areas throughout the United States that have not previously seen significant AAPI populations, soaked up the southern hospitality of the AAPI communities of North Carolina. The commission came to Raleigh with two primary goals—first, to listen and learn from the AAPIs that are becoming a growing community and economic force in North Carolina. The second goal was to hold a technical assistance conference to bring directly to the AAPI community information and access to the services and benefits of federal government programs.

Later this week the commission will be visiting Chicago. It has visits to New York and San Jose and San Francisco scheduled for later this year.

Secretary Chao Announces 2005 National Disability Employment Awareness Month Theme

Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao has announced the official theme for October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month – “Workers with Disabilities: Ready for Tomorrow’s Jobs Today.”

Disability Mentoring Day to Be Held October 19

Disability Mentoring Day, a nationwide event that promotes career development for youth with disabilities, will be held this year on Wednesday, October 19. Both public and private employers provide one-on-one mentoring for students to learn about the preparation necessary to qualify for a range of jobs opportunities.

The U. S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy is the lead agency for federal sector participation in Disability Mentoring Day. In addition to connecting the students to Department of Labor mentors, DOL will host a kick-off event in the morning and a reception at the end of the day for mentees and participating agency representatives. http://www.dol.gov/odep/

Proposed IDEA Regulations

The U.S. Department of Education has announced proposed regulations to implement the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) and invited public comment. The official copy of these proposed regulations will be published in the Federal Register within a few days. So that members of the public will have as much time as possible to review the proposed regulations, the Department is posting an UNOFFICIAL copy on the IDEA 2004 Web page. (June 10, 2005) http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/news.html

Labor Department Program Places More Than 300 Students, Graduates with Disabilities in Summer Jobs

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Labor’s Workforce Recruitment Program has placed more than 300 qualified college students and recent graduates with disabilities in summer positions. The placements were made using a free database of more than 1,900 candidates seeking summer and full-time employment. The database was distributed on a CD-Rom beginning March 16. http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20051050.htm

Positions Available

Puna Kamali‘i Flowers, Inc. is Hiring

Puna Kamali‘i Flowers, Inc., a small, family-owned business on the big island of Hawai‘i that provides Habilitation-Supported Employment and Personal Assistant Services to individuals with developmental disabilities is hiring. They are part of the Ticket-to-Work Employment Network through the U.S. Social Security Administration and are seeking other individuals with disabilities, either physical or developmental, who are interested in working there. Ticket-to-Work eligibility is beneficial; however, it is not a requirement. To find out if you are eligible for a Ticket-to-Work, feel free to contact 1-866-YOURTICKET, toll-free.

For a list of current positions available, please visit their website at http://www.punakamaliiflowers.com and click on the Jobs section. There is also an online forum for discussion of disability-related issues at http://forums.punakamaliiflowers.com which has free registration.

Recent Products

http://www.ntac.hawaii.edu/products/products.htm

Resources

Opening Doors: Technology and Communication Options for Children with Hearing Loss

Parents of children with hearing loss can find helpful information and resources in a publication produced for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) by the Academy for Educational Development (AED). http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/products/opening_doors/index.html

Technical Assistance Delivery Manual

The Technical Assistance Delivery Manual provides background and application instructions for eligible applicants to apply for technical assistance funding for projects to improve program performance. RSA provides funding for technical assistance projects that focus on strategies to improve service delivery, enhance the quality of consumer services and increase employment outcomes for persons with disabilities. http://www.dtiassociates.com/RSA/projects.cfm

Institutes / Conferences

For a complete list of conferences, please visit the Conferences section of our Web site.

Transforming Outcomes Data into Management Information

Boston, MA: July 10-12, 2005
This three-day course in outcomes management is conducted in collaboration with the Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF). Join us in Tucson in January and Boston in July. Recommended audience: healthcare providers, administrators, and representatives from payer organizations. You can view comments and pictures from prior Outcomes Institutes. For more information contact: Francine Turtz, CARF, (520) 325-1044 ext. 103, fturtz@carf.org

Workforce Innovations 2005: A Declaration of Innovation

July 11, 2005 - July 13, 2005: Philadelphia, PA
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor and co-sponsored by the American Society for Training & Development, the Workforce Innovations 2005 conference will focus on integration, transformation, and innovation. http://www.workforceinnovations.org/

COSD 6th Annual National Conference: “Navigating Transitions to Meaningful Careers”

July 20-21, 2005: Boston, MA
Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities (COSD) Annual Conference. For more information go to Conference website: http://www.cosdonline.com/conferences/index.shtml

Olmstead, Advocacy, and Community: Using IL NET’s Olmstead Curriculum to Advocate for Change in Your Community

August 9 - 11, 2005
IL NET and the PACER Center are working together to bring you an exciting, functional approach to implementing the Olmstead decision. Presented in “train-the-trainers” fashion, this two-day seminar in Oklahoma City, OK will focus on best methods for keeping individuals out of institutions and nursing homes. http://www.abilitycenter.org/newsletters/events/disconferences.html

The Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF) and The Health and Disability Research Institute (HDR)

San Francisco, CA: September 26 - 27, 2005
Learn about accommodation issues, innovative employment practices, and the ADA! Meet the JAN Consultants and enjoy training from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Defense’s Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP), knowledgeable state and local legal representatives, and private employers. A free service of the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor. http://www.jan.wvu.edu/

California State University Northridge’s 21st Annual International Conference “Technology and Persons with Disabilities”

March 20-25, 2006: Los Angeles, CA
This is a comprehensive, international conference, where all technologies across all ages; disabilities; levels of education and training; employment; and independent living are addressed. It is the largest conference of its kind! http://www.csun.edu/cod/conf/

Research / Publications

Proposed IDEA Regulations

The U.S. Department of Education has announced proposed regulations to implement the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) and invited public comment. The official copy of these proposed regulations will be published in the Federal Register within a few days. So that members of the public will have as much time as possible to review the proposed regulations, the Department is posting an UNOFFICIAL copy on the IDEA 2004 Web page. (June 10, 2005) http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/news.html

Technical Assistance Delivery Manual

The Technical Assistance Delivery Manual provides background and application instructions for eligible applicants to apply for technical assistance funding for projects to improve program performance. RSA provides funding for technical assistance projects that focus on strategies to improve service delivery, enhance the quality of consumer services and increase employment outcomes for persons with disabilities. http://www.dtiassociates.com/RSA/projects.cfm