NTAC e.News — August 1, 2006

Hawaiian words of wisdom

Pupukahi i holomua.
Translation: Unite to move forward.

Explanation: By working together we make progress.

Announcements: Local

NEW! NTAC Exhibit and Networking at APSE

Dr. Kim-Rupnow exhibited NTAC-AAPI information and disseminated products at the national Association for Persons in Supported Employment (APSE) conference, “Employment for All: Start a Revolution” held June 28-30, 2006, in Boston, Massachusetts. She also facilitated networking sessions with NTAC members and potential partners to discuss best practices and policy recommendations to increase employment opportunities for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with disabilities, as well as ways to continue NTAC activities beyond federal funding. If you are interested in learning more about the discussion, please contact Dr. Soon Kim-Rupnow at kimrupno@hawaii.edu.

NEW! ArtEnabled 2006

NTAC-AAPI co-sponsored and participated in Art Enabled 2006, a festival both commemorating the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and celebrating disability and the arts, on Friday, July 21, at the McCoy Pavilion at Ala Moana Beach Park. Dr. Christine Su exhibited NTAC-AAPI products and answered questions at the event, entitled “Thinking Out of the Box: What Fun that Can Be!” Artists with disabilities displayed and sold their works to enthusiastic attendees, while gifted individuals performed song, dance, poetry, and other talents both on an outside stage and an indoor auditorium. Special guests included local singing favorite Na Leo Pilimehana, Mayor Mufi Hanneman, Pilialoha Gaison, who serves as Miss Hawai‘i 2006, and others. By all accounts, the event was a wonderful success. For more information about this and other ArtEnabled functions, please contact the event co-directors: Brian Kajiyama and Landry Fukunaga at artenabled@yahoo.com.

Free Continuing Education Online Course

The fourth ‘Introduction to Disability/Rehabilitation with Asian/Pacific Islander Americans’ online course is gearing up. NTAC-AAPI will again facilitate this free course, conducted by Paul Leung, Professor and Director of the Rehabilitation, Social Work and Addictions department at the University of North Texas and Nan Zhang Hampton, Associate Professor of the Department of Administration, Rehabilitation, and Postsecondary Education at San Diego State University. The course is a wonderful opportunity to further your cultural competency, enhance your counseling abilities, and earn ten Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) in the process. The fourth offering will begin in August of this year. For more information, please see http://www.ntac.hawaii.edu/AAPIcourse/ and then reserve your space by sending an email to jamesdb@hawaii.edu.

Call for Success Stories!

The National Technical Assistance Center for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with disabilities (NTAC-AAPI) likes to publish the stories of successful AAPI with disabilities. These Success Stories are accounts by or about inspirational AAPI with disabilities, who have overcome obstacles and achieved their career goals despite incredibly challenging circumstances. In publishing their stories, NTAC-AAPI seeks to motivate others in similar situations. For examples of Success Stories previously published, please go to http://www.ntac.hawaii.edu/products/products.htm and view all editions of Volume 5.

We believe such stories are valuable and want others to use them as a resource. It doesn’t matter who you are, a rehab consumer, service provider, or employer—please share your success story with us in approximately 1500 words and send it to james.brightman@cds.hawaii.edu; phone number: (808) 956-3648. If we choose to publish your story, you will receive a $400 honorarium. Please visit http://www.ntac.hawaii.edu/employ_success_stories/success.htm for suggested outlines.

Announcements: National and International

Proclamation by the President on the Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America: “The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has helped fulfill the promise of America for millions of individuals living with disabilities. The anniversary of this landmark legislation is an important opportunity to celebrate our progress over the last 16 years and the many contributions individuals with disabilities make to our country.” Learn more about this Proclamation.

EARN Assisting the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) To Locate Jobseekers With Disabilities

Employer Assistance Referral Network (EARN) is a nationwide free referral and technical assistance service for employers with job vacancies. EARN connects employers with providers of employment services for people with disabilities. Learn more about EARN.

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Issues Final Regulation on the Appointment of Persons with Disabilities

OPM is issuing a final regulation regarding the excepted service appointments of persons with mental retardation, severe physical disabilities and psychiatric disabilities. The regulation improves the Federal Government’s ability to hire persons with these disabilities. It is designed to remove barriers and increase employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Learn more about this OPM regulation.

Speeches Made By Assistant Secretary Roy Grizzard

Speeches made by Assistant Secretary Roy Gizzard regarding Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy, keynote remarks, and other important messages have been updated. Read the speeches.

Recent Products

For a complete list of NTAC products, please visit the Products section of our Web site.

Resources

Preparing Disabled Youth for the Transition to College Life

CNN.com highlights the innovative work of College Bound, a collaboration of Virginia Tech University, Radford University, and New River Community College, Va. to aid high school students in their transition planning to higher education. Learn more about Preparing Disabled Youth for the Transition to College Life.

Office of Personnel Management Guide to Federal Employment of People with Disabilities

Information to help employers, especially federal managers and supervisors and human resources professionals, better understand how to hire and retain persons with disabilities. Access the Guide.

The Americans with Disabilities Act: A Primer for Small Business

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) overview of the basic employment provisions of the ADA as they relate to employees and job applicants. Read this ADA primer for small business.

Institutes / Conferences

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

US Department of Labor 2006 National Equal Opportunity Conference

August 1-4, 2006: Marriott Crystal Gateway, Arlington, Virginia
Contact information: Vicky Best-Morris, best-morris.vicky@dol.gov, Conference Coordinator at 202-693-6512
This conference is intended as a means by which a recipient’s equal opportunity professionals can maintain and enhance their knowledge, skill, and abilities in order to effectively carry out this responsibilities. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Civil Rights Center in collaboration with the National Association of State Workforce Agencies Equal Opportunity Committee, this annual conference will showcase expert insight into the challenges faced as we recommit ourselves to the precepts of equal opportunity. Learn more about the 2006 National Equal Opportunity Conference

Kennedy Center Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) Conference

August 3-6, 2006: Washington D.C.
The Kennedy Center Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) Conference and Training is accepting proposals for pre-conference workshop intensives at the 2006 conference to be held August 3-6 in Washington D.C. Pre-conference sessions will be held on Thursday, August 3. Proposals must be submitted to the Kennedy Center Accessibility Program by January 30, 2006. Four to six proposals will be selected by committee, and notification of acceptance will be sent by February 10, 2006. To submit a proposal, please fill out the attached proposal and send it via email to access@kennedy-center.org. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your ideas for a proposal before submitting, call (202) 416-8727(voice) or (202) 416-8728 (TTY).

DigiGirlz High Tech Camp 2006

Microsoft will be hosting the 6th annual DigiGirlz High Tech Camp: August 14-18, 2006. Their mission is to introduce High School girls to the many career fields offered within the High Tech industry. This is an exciting five-day experience offered to high school girls. During the camp, DigiGirlz have the opportunity to participate in a number of different opportunities including Xbox game testing, Microsoft Studio broadcasting and Product development and marketing.

You must submit a recommendation from your teacher, employer or career counselor and at least a 300 word essay on your interest in becoming a DigiGirl in order to participate. Space is limited so apply early! Learn more about Microsoft’s DigiGirlz camp.

Improving Employment Opportunities for Native Workers with Disabilities

August 22 - 23, 2006 at the Thurman J. White Forum Building @ University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
The American Indian Disability Technical Assistance Center (AIDTAC) has contracted The University of Oklahoma OUTREACH and Health Promotion Programs (HPP) to present this special, NO FEE, 2-day training that will focus on Improving the Employment Opportunities for American Indians/Alaska Natives with Disabilities in Oklahoma. This program will be a comprehensive, skills-based training opportunity for human resources and personnel specialists, as well as vocational rehabilitation counselors, technicians and advocates who have worked with or who are considering working with Native people with disabilities. Come prepared to learn how to successfully include Native workers with disabilities in your workforce.

For more information, contact: Health Promotion Programs College of Continuing Education OUTREACH, The University of Oklahoma, 555 East Constitution Street, Norman, Oklahoma 73072 –7820, Tele: (405) 325-1790; Fax: (405) 325-7126, E-mail: hpp@ou.edu, Web site: http://hpp.ou.edu.

First Ever Conference on Mentoring Youth with Disabilities

Aspire, Achieve, Empower: First National Conference on Mentoring for Youth with Disabilities is quickly approaching. Don’t miss out on attending! For more information and to register, go to: http://www.regonline.com/pyd.

This is an exciting opportunity to learn about best practices, sustainability, inclusion and much more! The conference will be hosted in Boston on September 13-15, 2006 with the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy as the lead sponsor.

Customized Employment Webconference Series

One-Stop staff and partners, community rehabilitation providers, job developers, business service representatives and other interested parties are invited to join in on Webconferences taking place from 1:00-2:30 EDT on September 8th and September 14th, 2006. Learn more about this Webconference Series.

Job Accommodation Network (JAN)—Conference 2006

Acquire knowledge and skills to accommodate employees with disabilities, comply with the ADA, and develop innovative employment practices. JAN’s 2006 conference will be held September 18th and 19th at the Hilton Boston Logan Airport. Learn more about the JAN Conference 2006.

Brain Injury: New Science, Best Practices, and Future Innovations

September 22-24, 2006: Jacksonville, FL
Organization: North American Brain Injury Society (NABIS); http://www.nabis.org/public/nabisconf.shtml; Email: conference@nabis.org

Make plans now to attend the Youth with Disabilities Roundtable!

September 30 & October 1, 2006: Sacramento, CA (immediately prior to NCAI’s Annual Conference)
The National Indian Health Board has partnered with the Indian Health Service and the National Congress of American Indians to hold a roundtable on American Indian/Alaska Native Youth with Disabilities, which is part of the New Freedom Initiative. Through this conference they aim to bring together the four most important groups: the youth, the Tribal governments, the State governments, and the Federal government. Join us on your way to the NCAI 63rd Annual Convention! For more information go to http://www.nihb.org/staticpages/index.php?page=aianyouthdisabilities.

Disability Issues Caucus of National Communication Association

November 6, 2006: San Antonio, TX
Call for Papers and Panel Proposals. Disability Issues Caucus, National Communication. Association Annual Meeting: San Antonio, TX Nov 16-19, 2006 Deadline: February 15, 2006 The Disability Issues Caucus invites research papers and program proposals exploring any aspect of issues related to disability and communication, and it especially. Contact: klebesco@mmm.edu URL: www.natcom.org.

2006 TASH Conference—Living the Vision Together: Today, Tomorrow, & Beyond

Organization: TASH: Equity, Opportunity, and Inclusion for People with Disabilities
Where: Baltimore, MD
Date: November 8-11, 2006
http://www.tash.org/2006tash/index.htm

23rd Annual Pacific Rim Conference on Disabilities

The Call for Papers for the 23rd Annual Pacific Rim Conference on Disabilities is now open. You can access the submission page by pointing your browser to http://www3.cds.hawaii.edu/callforpapers/. The format for the 23rd Annual Pac Rim Conference relies heavily on their Call for Papers. Topical areas are chosen each year based on suggestions from previous conferences, the latest industry trends and community need. Proposals are accepted from all over the world and address best practices and innovation within the specifically chosen topical areas.

Registration is also open for the conference so be sure to take advantage of the special Early Registration Rate offered. Be Sure to Mark Your Calendar! March 12-14, 2007, Sheraton Waikiki Hotel & Resort Honolulu, Hawaii. Visit http://www.pacrim.hawaii.edu/ for more details.

Research / Publications

Call for Manuscripts

Dr. Mary Lee Vance is soliciting manuscripts for an anthology tentatively titled Disabled Professionals in Higher Education: Multiple Voices and Identities Transcending Race, Gender and Disability, with the intention of having it published and distributed by the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) in 2007.

She is specifically seeking personal stories and/or scholarly works written by and about employees with disabilities, and their employment-related experiences in higher education.

Final original, unpublished manuscripts of up to 8,000 words (approximately 10 to 25 typed pages in 12-point type), double-spaced, and printed on one side of the paper are due to the editor December 1, 2006. Earlier completed submissions encouraged. Target publication date is expected to be summer 2007. Submissions must be typed as a Microsoft word document and sent electronically to the editor, along with a cover sheet with the writer’s name, address, telephone number, email address, and brief biographical paragraph which includes racial/cultural identification, gender and disability diagnosis. Submissions will not be returned. Submissions and questions are to be directed to the editor, Dr. Mary Lee Vance at mvance@uwsuper.edu.

New EEOC Publication Addresses Employment Rights of People with Hearing Loss

This latest Q&A Fact Sheet Coincides with Anniversary of Landmark Disabilities Act. The publication includes many real-life examples that illustrate the kinds of jobs that people with hearing loss successfully perform and the wide range of accommodations available. Visit http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/deafness.html to read the fact sheet.

2006 Social Security Administration (SSA) Red Book

The Red Book serves as a general reference source about the employment-related provisions of Social Security Disability Insurance and the Supplemental Security Income Programs for educators, advocates, rehabilitation professionals and counselors who serve people with disabilities. Visit the Red Book Web site.