Funded by: U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration


NTAC e.News — August 15, 2006

Asian Words of Wisdom


A man should practice what he preaches, but a man should also preach what he practices.

-Confucius

Announcements: Local


NEW! Job Opportunities in Hawai‘i!

The ABM Family of Services, an Affirmative Action employer located at 1130 N. Nimitz Hwy. in Honolulu has positions available in janitorial, engineering and electrical fields. An interview is required for the electrical and engineering jobs and work experience would be extremely helpful. If interested in any of these employment options, please call Tiera Efhan at (808) 545-7733.

Online Course!

The fourth ‘Introduction to Disability/Rehabilitation with Asian/Pacific Islander Americans’ online course is well underway. NTAC-AAPI is again facilitating 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. This 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. Registration for the fourth edition of this course is closed because it will be ending later this month; however, a fifth edition is planned. If you are interested in registering for the fifth edition, please see http://www.ntac.hawaii.edu/AAPIcourse/ for more information and then reserve your space by sending an email to jamesdb@hawaii.edu. Thank you.

Offline Course: DIS 693!

The purpose of this introductory course in Disability Studies is to analyze disability phenomena in the context of social practices and cultural values about human difference from an interdisciplinary perspective. Knowledge and theories about disability rights, policy, and culture provide a framework for understanding contemporary disability issues, disability research, and best practices. With some estimates that suggest 1 in 5 persons have or will have a disability, understanding disability is critical for all professionals who work with people of all ages, including people with disabilities.

This course is designed for graduate students in a variety of disciplines, including education, social sciences, law, social work, political science, sociology, American Studies, Ethnic Studies, theater, nursing, and any other disciplines where educators and community leaders work with individuals with disabilities.

Class will be held on the UH Manoa campus at Kuykendall (KUY) 310 on Tuesdays from 4:00-7:00 p.m. For more information contact Steven E. Brown, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at sebrown@hawaii.edu.

Announcements: National and International


Twenty-Sixth Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Now Available Online

The 2004 Annual Report to Congress has two volumes. Volume 1 focuses on the children and students being served under IDEA and provides profiles of individual states’ special education environment. Volume 2 of the report contains the state-reported data tables. The report can be accessed at http://www.ed.gov/about/reports/annual/osep/2004/.

Secretary Spellings Announces New Special Education Regulations

U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings today announced the new regulations for Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The final regulations will further the President’s goal that no child, including America’s many students with special needs, is left behind. By aligning the regulations with the No Child Left Behind Act, there is a new focus on ensuring that students with disabilities do not suffer the neglect of low expectations.

New EEOC Publication Addresses Employment Rights of People with Hearing Loss

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued a new fact sheet on the application of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to job applicants and employees who are deaf or who have hearing impairments. Read the press release.

New OPM Regulation

OPM has released a new regulation, expanding the types of proof that prospective employees can offer to show they have a disability qualifying them for excepted service positions and broadening the ways by which they can demonstrate job readiness. Read the full text of the notice, or check out the Summary.

Accessible Instructional Materials Become Part of IDEA 2004

Read about how NIMAS will affect students with disabilities and the printing industry. Effective August 19, 2006, publishers and other producers of print-based educational materials will be required to provide those materials in alternate formats if necessary to meet the needs of students who are blind or have print disabilities. Learn more about Accessible Instructional Materials and IDEA 2004.

Positions Available


Vacancy Announcement: National Council On Disability

POSITION: Executive Director. The purpose of this position is to serve as the Executive Director of the National Council on Disability (NCD), and serves under the direction of the Chairperson and is accountable to the Chairperson and the full Council. The incumbent is responsible for the overall program management and operations of the Council which includes representing the agency on public policy disability issues, budget administration, and supervision of staff operations. The incumbent serves as a recognized authority and NCD’s spokesperson on a diverse range of disability policy issues. Learn more about this position and view a full job listing.

National Council on Disability Youth Advisory Committee

NCD Youth Advisory Committee Seeks Four Members. The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) for the National Council on Disability (NCD) announces the opening of a nationwide search for four new members. One of the positions is reserved specifically for high school students. NCD is an independent federal agency, headed by 15 Council Members appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The collective responsibility of NCD is to make recommendations to the President and Congress on issues affecting all Americans with disabilities. NCD’s overall purpose is to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability; and to support the empowerment of individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society. The YAC, a 12 member advisory committee with applicant ages from 16-25 encourages youth across disability sectors, diverse racial and ethnic groups, and under-represented areas of the country to apply.

Application documents must be received through E-mail by September 14, 2006 at 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time. The application consists of: (1) your resume, (2) your cover letter pointing out what makes you the best candidate for a position of national level leadership as a representative of youth with disabilities, and (3) one letter of recommendation from an adult who is familiar with your leadership and disability experiences and potential. A recommendation by someone who is not your parent/guardian is requested. A brief daytime telephone interview with you may also be needed for a selected list of finalists among the top applicants. Please send only electronic documents (use e-mail only) to be considered as a YAC applicant during this recruitment period. E-mail your resume, your cover letter, and one letter of recommendation to: YOUTH@ncd.gov Attn: Dr. Gerrie Hawkins Designated Federal Official Youth Advisory Committee National Council on Disability. If you have questions, please contact youth leaders Gina Semenza (YAC Chair outgoing) or Stephanie Orlando (YAC incoming Chair) at Youth@ncd.gov.

Recent Products


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

Resources


GovBenefits—Your Benefits Connection

GovBenefits.gov (www.GovBenefits.gov) is the official benefits Web site of the U.S. government. GovBenefits.gov provides citizens in need with a one-stop source for connecting to government assistance programs. With a central location to find more than 1,000 federal and state assistance programs for disaster relief, employment services, education loans, small-business loans, Medicare, and many more programs; GovBenefits.gov helps citizens quickly identify benefit and assistance programs that meet their specific needs, including information to assist them in times of disaster or other emergencies.

Tennessee Customized Employment Partnership

The intent of this Web site is to provide customized employment information and resources that Career Centers and disability employment providers may use in delivering employment services to people with significant disabilities. Visit the Tennessee Customized Employment Partnership Web site.

Grant Writing and Funding Opportunities: FY 2007 Steppingstones Proposals

The U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has released a request for proposals to fund the FY 2007 Steppingstones of Technology Innovation for Children with Disabilities Grants. Proposals are due October 3, 2006. Visit ED.gov for more information and to download an application.

Understanding the Disability Market

John Kemp, in conjunction with Marla Spindel and Christina Hughes of Powers Pyles Sutter and Verville, PC, has authored a white paper, Understanding the Disability Market, for the National Business Services Alliance (NSBA). This paper highlights the potential for a workforce shortage in the future and a possible solution through increased disability and senior hiring. Kemp also highlights how to most effectively implement any necessary changes to encourage employer and employee success. Read the white paper.

Institutes / Conferences


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

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.

Free Web Conference: Tablet Technology and People with Disabilities

Presenter: Karen McCall
August 15, 2:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time
This Web seminar will demonstrate the ability of students with disabilities to use tablet technology and Microsoft OneNote. The tablet offers tools for task accessibility such as handwriting, speech recognition, the use of screen magnification, and screen reading software. With the new smaller models of tablets, you have “big Windows” applications on a small Windows XP Pro based computer. Add Microsoft OneNote and you have a powerful digital notebook. OneNote is a free form digital notebook tool that can be used with adaptive technology. Tablets can be used by people with dysgraphia, learning disabilities, visual disabilities, or who are blind. More academic institutions are moving to tablet technology and this seminar provides an overview of how it can be used as an inclusive tool.

You need to register in advance to reserve space in the online Web conference room. Registering also means you will get a link afterwards to the recording of the conference.

EASI Web conferences take place entirely on the Internet. You need to have your speakers connected to hear the presenter. You will also see slides pushed during the presentation to support it. Register at: http://easi.cc/forms/tablet.htm.

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

Learn Your ADA Rights And How To Enforce Them In the Workplace

Services for Independent Living, Inc. (SIL), is pleased to announce a workshop for employees, job seekers, self-advocates, and advocates on the employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). The workshop will be on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at SIL at 25100 Euclid Avenue, Suite 105, Cleveland, 44117. The co-presenters will be Michelle Crew, Investigator, and Cynthia Stankiewicz, Outreach/ Technical Assistance Manager, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Cleveland Field Office. The fee is $10 per person. Because seating is limited, registration is required by September 19, 2006. Requests for accommodations should be made by September 19, 2006. For more information or for registration information, please contact Laura Gold at SIL at (216) 731-1529 (Voice/TTY) or lgold@sil-oh.org(e-mail) or Cynthia Stankiewicz at EEOC at (216) 522-7679 or Cynthia.Stankiewicz@eeoc.gov (e-mail).

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

Increasing the Success of Employees with Disabilities in the Workplace

November 17, 2006: The Ohio State University Campus Columbus, Ohio
A one-day seminar of interest to: Job Coaches, Disability Case Managers, Rehabilitation Counselors, Human Resources Personnel, Occupational Therapists, and Employers. A primary focus is accommodation for social, behavioral, and mental health problems.

Sponsored by The Ohio State University ADA Coordinator’s Office and the Division of Occupational Therapy. Pre-registration will be required. Registration materials will be sent at a later date.

For more information contact: Andrea Cooper, ADA Coordinator’s Office, The Ohio State University, cooper.437@osu.edu, voice (614) 292-6207 tty (614)-688-8605 or fax (614) 688-3665, or by mail at 2054 Drake Center, 1849 Cannon Drive; Columbus, OH 43210-1266

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


NCWD Releases Mentoring Guide

Mentoring is recognized as one of the most important strategies for assisting youth in making a positive transition into adulthood. Despite all of the information available on mentoring, very little information exists about mentoring youth with disabilities or about career-focused mentoring of older youth. Paving the Way to Work: A Guide to Career-Focused Mentoring for Youth with Disabilities has been developed by the NCWD/Youth to specifically address the needs of youth with disabilities during their transition from school to work. This Guide is intended for individuals designing career-focused mentoring programs for youth, including youth with disabilities, who are in the transition phase to adulthood.

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: August 31, 2006), please contact the editor at david.baker@hawaii.edu. If you wish to stop receiving these messages, you may send an email to listserv@hawaii.edu with the subject line blank and signoff ntac-l@hawaii.edu in the body of your message.

Copyright 2006. National Technical Assistance Center (NTAC-AAPI).

NTAC