NTAC e.News — May 15, 2006

Asian Words of Wisdom

Keep your thoughts positive,
because your thoughts become your words.
Keep your words positive,
because your words become your behaviors.
Keep your behaviors positive,
because your behaviors become your habits.
Keep your habits positive,
because your habits become your values.
Keep your values positive,
because your values become your destiny.

-Gandhi

Announcements: Local

Disability Leadership Institute: an Entertaining, Informative and Productive Event

On Monday, May 8th, the Disability Leadership Institute was held on the first day of and in conjunction with the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC)’s 21st Annual National Leadership Training Conference at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Spa in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. A panel of rehabilitation consumers and providers was moderated by James Brightman, NTAC’s VR Coordinator and a panel of employers and employment specialists was moderated by Dr. Christine Su, NTAC’s Employment Coordinator. Amazing keynote speeches were given by Olegario Cantos, Associate Director on Disabilities of the Domestic Policy Council at the White House (by phone), William Hoshijo, Executive Director of the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and Filo Tu, COE and President of the Blind Vendors Ohana. Additional cultural and yoga activities, as well as group problem-solving made this an entertaining, informative and productive event which was also broadcast via the Internet to anyone wishing to participate. Online participants were thrilled to be able to participate via the Web and their interactive questions really added to the panel presentations. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) were awarded to participants physically at the conference in Honolulu as well as those watching via the Internet. Moreover, an audio recording of the conference is now online; please go to https://www.elluminate.com/pmtg.jnlp?psid=d292684063.429647 to listen to it. CEUs can still be earned by listening to the entire conference online, responding to discussion questions and completing an evaluation that proves to us you listened to it. Please contact James.Brightman@cds.hawaii.edu if you have questions or wish to listen to the recording.

Announcements: National and International

Nondiscrimination Regulations for the Nation’s Job Training System

These regulations, published by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Civil Rights Center, provide particular rights to customers, applicants, and employees with disabilities, as well as to people in other protected groups, in the nation’s One-Stop Career Center job training system. Read the regulations.

U.S. Department of Labor Civil Rights Center (CRC)

US DOL’s Civil Rights Center (CRC) enforces the nondiscrimination laws, including disability nondiscrimination laws, that apply to the nation’s job training system. Find information about those laws, tools for compliance assistance, and download forms for filing discrimination complaints.

SBA Announces Grants to Help Small Businesses Become Drug Free

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced that it is seeking proposals from eligible intermediaries and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) for grants to help small businesses, both technically and financially, establish drug-free workplace programs and educate working parents on how to keep their children drug free.

SBA expects to award approximately $990,000, broken down into five or six grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 each. The deadline for proposals is May 31, 2006, and the anticipated start date is September 30, 2006 for a two-year period. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and how to apply, read SBA’s 2006 Program Announcement (MS Word document).

Remarks By The President At Celebrations of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and Presentation of the President’s Volunteer Service Awards

Across our country, Asian Pacific Americans are making their mark in all walks of life, including business and law and politics and education, community service, the arts, and science. Today more Asian Pacific Americans serve in my administration than in any other administration in history, and two of them serve in my Cabinet. (Applause.) And I am delighted to recognize Secretary Elaine Chao and Secretary Norm Mineta, and thank them for their great work for our country. (Applause.) Read the entire speech.

U.S. Census Bureau Press Release: More Than 50 Million Americans Report Some Level of Disability

May 12, 2006, press release from the U.S. Census Bureau indicating that more than 50 million Americans have some level of disability, with 12 percent reporting a severe disability. Read the complete press release here.

Positions Available

The White House Internship Program

The White House Internship Program offers an excellent opportunity to serve our President and explore public service. We are seeking exceptional candidates to apply for this highly competitive program. In addition to normal office duties, interns attend weekly lectures, tours, and complete an intern service project. Interns may serve a term in the Fall, Spring or Summer. All candidates must be at least 18 years of age, hold United States citizenship, and be enrolled in a college or university. Learn more about the White House Internship Program

Recent Products

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

Resources

U.S. Department of Education Funding Opportunity—State Vocational Rehabilitation Unit In-Service Training

Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2006. Application Deadline: May 26, 2006. This program is designed to support projects for training State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency personnel in program areas essential to the effective management of the agency’s program of VR services or in skill areas that will enable personnel to improve their ability to provide VR services leading to employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Learn more about this U.S. Department of Education Funding Opportunity

Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA) for Disability Case Study Research Consortium

New notice of availability of funds and solicitation for grant applications (SGA) for Disability Case Study Research Consortium on Employer Organizational Practices in Employing People with Disabilities. Learn more about this grant opportunity.

Institutes / Conferences

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

RCI Americans with Disabilities Act Conference

May 19th, 2006: Albuquerque Hilton, NM
RCI would like to welcome you to it’s first Americans with Disabilities Act Conference. The conference will provide you with up-to-date resources, tax incentives, guidelines and educational tools in working with people with disabilities. The conference will be held at the Albuquerque Hilton on Friday May 19th 2006. Learn more about the Americans with Disabilities Act Conference.

Latino Employment Conference: Registration/Scholarship & Hotel Deadlines Extended

May 2006: San Antonio, TX
Texas State Senator Leticia Van de Putte and performer Chris Fonseca will give keynote addresses during Proyecto Visión’s fifth national Bridges to Employment conference May 31 - June 2 in San Antonio. For more information contact: Kathy Martinez (510) 251-4326 or kathy@wid.org or visit the Project Vision Web site.

ADA Workshops

Services for Independent Living, Inc. (SIL), is pleased to announce two (2) upcoming workshops for employers, human resource professionals, and advocates on the employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). The first workshop, Rights and Responsibilities in Employment under Title I of the ADA, will be on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The second workshop, An In-Depth Look: Employer Responsibilities and Reasonable Accommodation, will be held on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Both workshops will be held at SIL at 25100 Euclid Avenue, Suite 105, Cleveland, 44117. Seating is limited; registration and payment are required by May 30, 2006

For more information, please contact Laura Gold at SIL at (216) 731-1529 email: lgold@sil-oh.org or Cynthia Stankiewicz at EEOC at (216) 522-7679, email: Cynthia.Stankiewicz@eeoc.gov. Visit the ADA-Ohio Web site.

EEOC to Hold Employer Roundtable on Emergency Preparedness and People with Disabilities

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to hold Roundtable with Employers on Emergency Preparedness and People with Disabilities on June 7, 2006 from 10:00 a.m. to noon in Washington D.C. Open to the public. Building security requires I.D. Learn more about this EEOC Roundtable.

2006 Disability Access Conference

June 8 & 9, 2006: Hawaii Convention Center
The Conference will feature approximately 40 sessions on access to employment, programs and services, facilities, the justice system, and technology with mainland speakers text or pdf and local speakers. Learn more about the 2006 Disability Access Conference.

Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS)

June 29th to July 1st 2006: Honolulu, HI
The Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) will hold its 11th National Conference in Hawai‘i to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Filipino immigration to Hawai‘i. The theme, “Sakadas and Beyond: Connecting Our Past to Inspire the Future.” Call for Papers, Panels & Presentations (Deadline: February 1, 2006). For Conference Proposal Form and guidelines, go to: www.fanhs-national.org or contact (206) 322-0203 or (808) 956-9295.

29th Annual AHEAD Conference and Exhibit Hall

July 17-22, 2006: San Diego, California, USA
The AHEAD 2006 Conference celebrates the 20 year anniversary since our last adventure together in San Diego! Transition and change mark the theme of our Conference; our program reflects the many lenses we use to bridge the transition gap. AHEAD is the premiere professional association committed to full participation of persons with disabilities in postsecondary education. Learn more about the AHEAD 2006 Conference.

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.

Aspire, Achieve, Empower: First Conference on Mentoring for Youth with Disabilities

September 13-15, 2006: Boston, MA
Partners for Youth with Disabilities (PYD) is planning Aspire, Achieve, Empower: The First Conference on Mentoring for Youth with Disabilities to be held from September 13-15, 2006 in Boston, MA. Partnering with state and national organizations, PYD will host a national conference which will focus on sharing best practices in the field of mentoring youth with disabilities. Learn more about Aspire, Achieve, Empower.

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.

Research / Publications

Toward Universal Access in the Workforce Development System

This paper explores the core concepts of “universal service,” which has a very distinct meaning inside the employment and training arena, and that of “universal design” in the context of disability public policy. In addition, this paper urges the adoption of a comprehensive definition of universal access that would apply across all titles of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) to all programs and services in the One-Stop system and incorporate elements of universal access, universal service, architectural accessibility, programmatic accessibility, and universal design, as defined in the disability policy arena. Click here to visit the download page.