NTAC e.News — August 1, 2009

Asian/Pacific Islander Words of Wisdom

“You can't look back; you have to keep looking forward.”

--Lucy Liu

Source: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/l/lucy_liu_2.html

Announcements: National and International

Kathleen Martinez Confirmed as Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy

On June 25, 2009, the Senate voted by unanimous consent to confirm Kathleen (Kathy) Martinez as Assistant Secretary for the Office of Disability Employment Policy. Blind since birth, Ms. Martinez comes to ODEP with a background as an internationally recognized disability rights leader specializing in employment, asset building, independent living, international development, diversity and gender issues. To read more, click here.

Presidential Proclamation on the 19th anniversary of the ADA including Announcement to sign UN Convention on Disabilities and meeting with the President

The proclamation signed by the President yesterday in the East Room celebrating the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act announced that the United States will sign the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). United States Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice will sign the treaty on Thursday, July 30th at the United Nations in New York as required under international legal arrangements. President Obama was joined by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Their remarks on this remarkable occasion can be viewed on YouTube.

Diverse Perspectives: A Competitive Advantage

Take a look at successful businesses, regardless of size or industry, and you'll find certain commonalities, such as strong leadership, an efficient business model and the ability to effectively adapt to changes in market needs. Another similarity you'll likely see is actually dissimilarity-within each business's own workforce. Read more about the Diverse Perspectives in the July issue of Business Sense.

Recent Products

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

Resources

Real People, Real Jobs

This new website from the Institute for Community Inclusion highlights the employment successes of people with Intellectual Disabilities/Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD) who are working in paid jobs in their communities. Stories represent a variety of categories such as interagency collaboration, self-employment and job creation/negotiation.

Support for Pediatric Audiology Training Efforts

AUCD is pleased to announce supplemental funding for three additional Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) programs to expand and augment their pediatric audiology training efforts. To read more about this, click here.

(RRTCs)-Secondary Conditions in Rehabilitation of Individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries

The purpose of the RRTC program is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, through advanced research, training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities in general problem areas, as specified by NIDRR. For more information, click here.

Project HIRE

New Opportunity for College Grads or Seniors who are Blind or Visually Impaired: An Online Employment Preparation Program. The program will last 8 weeks, beginning in the Fall of 2009 or the Winter of 2010. To learn more click here.

(RRTCs)-Traumatic Brain Injury Interventions

The purpose of the RRTC program is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, through advanced research, training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities in general problem areas, as specified by NIDRR. For more information about this award, click here.

Institutes / Conferences

2010 AMCHP Annual Conference

The 2010 AMCHP conference will focus on health equity, quality improvement and instituting quality for improving performance, partnerships, leadership skills and competencies for the future workforce, the changing face of our nation and workforce, best practices, strategies and positive outcomes, social marketing messages, tools and resources, and legislative strategy. For more information and to sign up, click here.

2009 NCTI TECHNOLOGY INNOVATORS CONFERENCE

The 2009 NCTI Technology Innovators Conference, Educational Futures -- Powered by Technology, will focus on the how learning and assistive technologies can supercharge education for all students. Check out the exciting line-up of speakers.

Inventing the Future: Implementing Self-Determination Across Disability & Aging

Attend this two-day training event for those committed to helping people who are aging, have a disability, or are in recovery experience the promise of freedom as they craft a meaningful life. The event will be held in Nashville TN on September 21st-22nd.

Research / Publications

Results from a national survey of community rehabilitation providers holding special wage certificates

The purpose of this paper is to present the findings from a national survey of a random sample of community rehabilitation programs (CRPs). The intent of the survey was to identify the types of services provided, the trends in the employment services, and the factors that were perceived as inhibiting and facilitating integrated employment outcomes.

New Brochure Released: Employer Perspectives on Employment of People with Disabilities

In the first survey of its magnitude, 3,797 businesses representing 2.4 million companies, across 12 industry sectors and various company sizes, reported on their beliefs about and strategies for recruiting, hiring, retaining and advancing employees with disabilities. The print version of Employer Perspectives on Employment of People with Disabilities will be available soon. In the meantime, an online version is available in Word or here. Since the original launch of the NCWD/Youth website, it has been the go-to place for information relating to youth with disabilities and the workforce development and transition systems supporting them in their transition to the world of work. The updated version of the website offers new content areas focusing on what all youth need with an emphasis on youth with disabilities and other vulnerable populations.