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Advocacy News
Topics
FIRST BLIND ARMY COMMANDER
Demystifying TBI & PTSD in the Workplace
Eastern Pennsylvania Leadership
Development Institute
New EEOC Guides Aid Federal Hiring of
Disabled
PAPSRS Conference 2010 Scheduled
Apply Now for a 2010 Bolotin Award
AHEDD announces the “Works For Me”
Campaign to Promote Employment for
People with Disabilities in Pennsylvania
EEOC Commission Approves Proposed ADA
Regulations for Public Comment
PARF Awards at 2009 Annual Conference
Rehabilitation Training and Resource
Center to offer Web Course: "Supported
Competitive Employment for Individuals
with Mental Illness"
October 2009: Meet the Blind Month
Launch of revamped site coincides with
Americans with Disabilities Act’s 19th
anniversary
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Receives $23.1 Million in Recovery
Funding
PA Senate Adopts Legislation on Problem
Solving Courts
New Website Launched for People Who Are
Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing
Friends
U.S. Senators John Kerry and Arlen
Specter Introduce Pedestrian Safety
Enhancement Act
SPEAKING for OURSELVES ANNUAL CONFERENCE
NCD to Release Annual Progress Report
How can I ensure that my One Stop Career
Centers (Careerlinks) are physically
accessible?
Legal Advocacy As A Tool for Social
Change
National Resource Directory for wounded
warriors Web-based compilation of more
than 10,000 listings designed to aid
transition to civilian life
Cultivating Leadership: Mentoring Youth
with Disabilities
Vocational Rehab. Youth Transition
Project
"Disability awareness gives new insights
to students"
Autism Insurance Bill Passed
OPINION: As the ADA Amendments Act
Passes In the House
SAVE THE DATE: TeleSeminar on the
Legislative Landscape for 2008-2009 on
July 15, 2008
Social Security now issues debit card
payments
NEW TICKET TO WORK REGS AVAILABLE:
DPW Launches Brain Injury Recovery Task
Force
Touch the Future Save the Date!
ODHH
GETS NEW WEBSITE
Community Issue Forum for People with
Hearing Loss
NAD FILES TWO MORE ADA COMPLAINTS
Workers with Disabilities: Talent for a
Winning Team - January 2008
Barack Obama on the International Day of
Disabled Persons December 3, 2007
DOL Announces Awards of Youth Build
Grants
Driven Exhibition Opens at Smithsonian
DOL Publishes Rule Governing Federal
Contractors' Obligations to Veterans
˜Workers with Disabilities: Talent for a
Winning Team is 2007 National Disability
Employment Awareness Month theme
WASHINGTON”
GOVERNOR RENDELL RECOGNIZES 14
EMPLOYERS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT EXCELLENCE
From the American Association of People
with Disabilities
PA SILC elects New officers
Governor Rendell Appoints Three New
Members to Advisory Committee for the
Blind
National Council on Disability Speaks
Out on Supreme Court Winkleman v. Parma
City School District Case
NCD To
Assess Federal-State Vocational
Rehabilitation Programs
Center for Independent Living of Central
Pennsylvania Seeks Persons with
Disabilities to Serve on Board of
Directors
SECRETARY OF PUBLIC WELFARE ANNOUNCES
NEW OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENTAL
PROGRAMS
15 years of ADA filled with Setbacks,
Victories
2005 Census Data Regarding People With
Disabilities
PA Transition State Leadership Team
GOVERNOR RENDELL SAYS GRANTS AVAILABLE
TO HELP STUDENTS WITH
DISABILITIES GAIN STEADY EMPLOYMENT
NATIONAL DISABILITY POLICY: A PROGRESS
REPORT
GOVERNOR RENDELL SIGNS BILL TO HELP
SENIORS, OTHERS STAY IN THEIR HOMES,
VISIT FAMILY, ENJOY BETTER QUALITY OF
LIFE
Owners of Johnstown, Pa., restaurant
recognized for accessibility to disabled
EEOC
Moves to Stem Decline in Disabled
Workforce
For students with disabilities through
The Washington Center Internships
Ticket-to-Work Advisory Panel Seeks
Input from Social Security Beneficiaries
N.O.D. Announces New National
Employability Partnership
PaTTAN Training Announcement
A Message submitted by Melissa Allar,
Office of Mental Retardation
New Rules Aim To
Eliminate Barriers to Federal Employment
of People with Disabilities
Hiram G. Andrews Center To Rededicate
1956 Time Capsule For Future Generations
New EEOC
Fact Sheet
Scholarship Program for College Students
with Disabilities
The Washington Center for Internships
and Academic Seminars
CBPP Recommends SSA Withdrawal of
Proposed Changes In Determining
Disability
PENNSYLVANIA MAKES NEW RESOURCE
AVAILABLE TO YOUNG PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL
HEALTH CARE NEEDS
From the National Organizational
Disability (N.O.D.)
Assistive Technology Program
Most Employers Report No Cost or Low
Cost for Accommodating Employees with
Disabilities
Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week
Aspire, Achieve, Empower: The First
Conference on Mentoring for Youth with
Disabilities
INTERNATIONAL JURIED EXHIBIT FOR ARTISTS
WITH DISABILITIES
College Scholarships for Individuals
with Parents with Disabilities
Emergency Plans for People with
Disabilities
Questions About Medicare Part D??
2006 SUMMER CONGRESSIONAL INTERNSHIP
PROGRAM FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH
DISABILITIES:
OCTOBER IS DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH
National Council on Disability Calls for
Federal Disability Recovery Plan in
Response to Hurricane Katrina
Calling Emerging Leaders with
Disabilities
The City of Philadelphia offers a
scholarship
NASA Internships For Blind Students
Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Council
(PaRC) Public Forum
Cornell, NOD: 7.7% of Americans Have a
Disability; 38% Are Employed
National MS Society Scholarship Program
College scholarships for individuals with
parents with disabilities
TPA Scholarship Trust for the Deaf and
Near Deaf
SUMMER 2005 INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR
COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
available through AAPD.
Landmark Disability Survey Finds
Pervasive Disadvantages
N.O.D. Hails President Bush's Executive
Order on Individuals with Disabilities in
Emergency Preparedness
New Internship Program for College
Students: Applications Due June 14
IRS Posts More Information on Misuse of
Disabled Access Tax Credits
EEOC FACT SHEET ON DIABETES AND THE
WORKPLACE ADDRESSES FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
JOB APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES TO
BENEFIT FROM FACT SHEET ON RIGHTS
THROUGHOUT HIRING PROCESS
STATE REVIEWING OFFICIAL FINDS OVR
CUSTOMER APPEAL TIMELY
New state directories to assist you with
Accessibility
ALLIANCE FOR TECHNOLOGY ACCESS OFFERS NEW SERVICE
Attorneys fees in Title II ADA cases: Richard S. v. Department of Developmental Services·
FCC Acts to Promote Accessibility of Digital Wireless Phones to Individuals with Hearing Disabilities
U.S. Department of Labor Issues WIA Compliance Assistance Checklist To Help People With Disabilities
Supreme Court to Consider Constitutionality of ADA Title II
EEOC and Katrina Cue v. John Q. Hammons Hotels
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY SAYS AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT APPLIES
TO COMMERCIAL AND OTHER PRIVATE WEB SITES
COLLECTIVE ADVOCACY WORKSHOPS
DOT OFFERS AIR TRAVEL HOTLINE FOR PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES
Pennsylvania Law Makes Refusal to Allow Service Animals in Place of Public Accommodation a Crime
Dept. of Transportation Alters Guidelines on
Service Animals
NEW EEOC WEB PAGE TO ASSIST EMPLOYERS’ UNDERSTANDING AND COMPLIANCE WITH EEOC INVESTIGATIONS
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS AVAILABLE FOR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING STUDENTS
DOL ENCOURAGES USE OF TAX INCENTIVES TO HIRE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
FIRST BLIND ARMY COMMANDER
Yesterday, the title of company
commander was added to Smiley’s
distinctive resume, as he became the
first blind officer to lead a company as
he assumed command of the Warrior
Transition Unit at the U.S. Military
Academy.
Smiley was wounded and permanently lost
his vision during his 2005 deployment to
Iraq. He attributes his strength and
drive during his recovery to his family,
faith and friends.
“It was my wife, my family and friends
who were in my hospital room singing
songs and reading the Bible that gave me
the strength during my recovery,” said
Smiley, a member of the USMA Class of
2003.
“It was all of this which allowed me to
put one foot in front of the other,” he
continued, “and has allowed me to
accomplish everything that I have done
to get to where I am today.”
Over the past six months, Smiley had
been an instructor with the academy’s
Behavioral Sciences and Leadership
department, teaching a leadership course
to third-year cadets.
Smiley’s “endurable spirit and character
are traits that the cadets can just
relate to,” said West Point instructor
Lt. Col. Eric Kail. “He has overcome so
much, through his attitude and desire to
excel in life. Scott is a great
teacher.”
After receiving medical attention
following his tour in Iraq, Smiley was
transferred to the Ft. Lewis, Wash.,
Warrior Transition Unit, where he began
his recovery and journey to return to
active status.
"There were some very long dark days,
physically and mentally, but I just had
to keep pushing on," Smiley said.
Smiley said he’d looked at what had
happened to him in Iraq and made the
decision that he was not going down the
same path as the character Gary Sinise
played in the 1994 movie Forrest Gump.
Sinese’s character of Army Lt. Dan had
been grievously wounded in Vietnam and
was initially portrayed as bitter and
self-destructive.
"The decisions that Lt. Dan made after
his injuries never came into my mind. I
wanted to take care of myself --
physically, mentally and spiritually,"
Smiley said. "I just did not want to
give up because of something that
negatively happened to me."
Smiley transitioned back to active duty,
working at the U.S. Army Accessions
Command at Ft. Monroe, Va. After being
there for some time, Smiley's commander
told him he had been selected to go to
graduate school.
"I thought he was kidding me. I was
absolutely shocked," Smiley recalled.
"Then, they are going to let me go teach
-- that was awesome.” Smiley attended
Duke University where he received his
Masters of Business Administration.
While there, he cultivated a friendship
during the summer of 2007 with legendary
Duke University basketball coach Mike
Krzyzewski, a 1969 graduate of the
Military Academy.
This was just before the men's
basketball world championships and
Olympics, Smiley recalled, noting his
brigade commander had approached him and
asked if he’d like to speak to the
premier U.S. men’s basketball squad.
“Why would the national basketball team
want me to talk to them?" Smiley said he
wondered to himself at the time.
"The first time I met him, he spoke to
the Olympic team in Las Vegas. We were
trying to teach the team about selfless
service," Krzyzewski said. "They not
only heard what Scott had to say, but
they truly felt what he had to say.
"When I think of Scotty, I think of
ultimate service, especially selfless
service," Krzyzewski added.
After completing his master’s degree,
Smiley returned to start a new chapter
of his life at West Point, where his
military career began in the summer of
1999.
Smiley's former commander at Accessions
Command and present U.S. Army Chief of
Engineers and commanding general of the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lt. Gen.
Robert Van Antwerp, shared his thoughts
on the occasion.
"Scott brings a whole new dimension to
soldiering and leadership,” said Van
Antwerp, a 1972 graduate of the Military
Academy. “When you are around him, you
can't help but want to do your best --
without complaining -- because he gives
his best every day."
About Smiley being the second Wounded
Warrior to hold a command position, Van
Antwerp said, "Scotty will be a great
commander. He will lead from the front
like he has always done. I am proud of
him and proud of our Army for giving him
this opportunity."
Krzyzewski seconded Van Antwerp’s pride
and confidence in Smiley.
"He may not have the eyes to see, but he
sees more things than most leaders could
ever see," he said of Smiley’s
leadership abilities.
At West Point, Smiley now takes command
of a company that he personally
understands.
"I know what they are going through. I
understand the dynamics of the company,
how it works and areas of concern that
need to be improved," Smiley said.
With only half of his command based on
West Point’s grounds, Smiley will travel
from the rocky shorelines of Maine to
the rolling hills of Pennsylvania to
ensure his troops are being taken care
of and doing what they need to do to
recover.
"It is now my responsibility to inspire
them and to continue to help them get
the job done," Smiley said.
TOP
Demystifying TBI & PTSD in the
Workplace
One More Way
and the U.S. Department of Labor are
hosting a webinar on employment of
Veterans living with Traumatic Brain
Injury (TBI) or Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD). The webinar
will take place on
January 28,
2010
from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Guest experts
from the
America's Heroes at Work
initiative will share ways that
employers and rehabilitation
professionals can create a welcoming
and productive environment for
Veterans entering (or re-entering)
the civilian workforce.
TOP
Eastern Pennsylvania Leadership
Development Institute for YOUth
Creating the Incredible
Dear
Professionals, Families and YOUTH,
Pennsylvania ’s
Department of Health, Pennsylvania
Association of Pediatrics, and the
Parent Education Advocacy Leader
Center are creating a new program
for youth with disabilities to
become empowered to be able to make
changes in the state.
We are
looking for youth with disability
from eastern Pennsylvania, ages
14-28, to bring their experiences to
the group. We have exciting
activities planned and where youth
will meet other youth who are
dealing with the same types of
issues that they are. Please
encourage youth to join us at one of
the three meetings to learn how to
make a difference in their life and
the lives of other youth with
disabilities across Pennsylvania.
The
eastern Pennsylvania Institute will
be Saturday evening, February 20th,
from 6 – 9 p.m. and Sunday, February
21st, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Youth under 18 years of age will be
required to bring a parent of adult
chaperone. The hotel room, food,
and travel will be paid for.
If you
would like to attend, please email
Leslie at
lkolenda@pealcenter.org
If you need more information, please
contact Josie at
josiebadger@pealcenter.org
or
josiebadger@hotmail.com
or
call Josie at: 724-944-0429
TOP
New EEOC Guides Aid Federal Hiring
of Disabled
This
article appeared on
Occupational Health Safety Online
information site. With fewer
individuals with severe disabilities
working for the federal government,
"The ABCs of Schedule A" are guides
to help anyone involved in the
federal hiring process. The U.S.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission announced it has issued a
set of five guides to help federal
agencies hire and promote
individuals with disabilities
without completing the job. The
"ABCs of Schedule A" guides are
written for anyone involved in the
federal hiring process. "Despite our
efforts, the participation rate of
individuals with severe disabilities
in the federal workforce continues
to decline at an alarming rate,"
said Acting EEOC Vice Chair
Christine M. Griffin. "Agencies have
got to do more. I hope that these
guides will be useful to individuals
seeking federal employment, and I
truly hope they will be well used by
all those who are responsible for
some aspect of recruiting and hiring
federal employees." The guides are
part of the agency's ongoing
Leadership for the Employment of
Americans with Disabilities
Initiative.
TOP
PAPSRS has announced that its
2010 Annual Conference entitled
Psychiatric Rehabilitation -
Competencies and Skills that Promote
Recovery will be held on April 26,
27, and 28, 2010 at The Penn Stater
Conference Center, State College,
PA. The Conference will feature Dr.
Ken Thompson, Medical Director for
Mental Health Services, U.S. HHS
Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA),
Dr. Mark Ragins, The Village
Integrated Service Agency of Mental
Health America of Los Angeles, and
Stephen Pockington, Executive
Director, Copeland Center. All
training hours are USPRA/CPRP
approved. FMI: To obtain
registration information and
scholarship applications see the
PAPSRS website at
www.papsrs.org
TOP
Apply Now for a 2010 Bolotin Award
The National Federation of the Blind
today announced that applications are
now being accepted for the 2010 Dr.
Jacob Bolotin Award Program. Each year
the National Federation of the Blind
presents cash awards to individuals and
organizations that have made outstanding
contributions toward achieving the full
integration of the blind into society on
a basis of equality. To learn more about
the program or apply online now, please
visit the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award
Program web page.
TOP
AHEDD
announces the “Works For Me”
Campaign to Promote Employment for
People with Disabilities in
Pennsylvania
Many people with disabilities want
to work, but need training and help
to find a job. In addition, many
individuals are afraid of losing
social security and medical
benefits. The initiative will expand
awareness about how people with
disabilities can join the workforce.
"Works for me" is a resource for
people with any kind of disability
including mental health, physical,
sensory or developmental. Through a
Hotline number (1-866-902-4333 ext.
192), an individual can quickly and
easily connect with a coordinator to
determine which program is best for
them and receive the guidance they
need to make a decision about
employment. Information is also
available at
www.worksforme-pa.org.
See attachment for full
announcement.
TOP
EEOC Commission Approves
Proposed ADA Regulations for
Public Comment
On
September16, the U.S. Equal
Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC) approved a
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)
revising its regulations to
provide that an individual
seeking protection under the
Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) establish that he or she
has a disability consistent with
the original, expansive intent
of Congress when it enacted the
ADA in 1990. The NPRM, approved
by 2-1 vote, carries a 60-day
period for public comment. The
NPRM makes several significant
changes to the definition of the
term “disability” necessitated
by enactment of the ADA
Amendments Act of 2008. The NPRM
will be available from the
Commission’s website,
www.eeoc.gov, along with a
question-and-answer guide about
the proposal and instructions
for submitting public comments.
The EEOC voted June 17 to adopt
the rules changes, which then
went to the Office of Management
and Budget for review, and to
federal agencies. Consistent
with the ADAAA, the NPRM
emphasizes that the definition
of disability -- an impairment
that poses a substantial
limitation in a major life
activity -- must be construed in
favor of broad coverage of
individuals to the maximum
extent permitted by the terms of
the ADA, and should not require
extensive analysis; that major
life activities include “major
bodily functions”; that
mitigating measures, such as
medications and devices that
people use to reduce or
eliminate the effects of an
impairment, are not to be
considered when determining
whether someone has a
disability; and that impairments
that are episodic or in
remission, such as epilepsy,
cancer, and many kinds of
psychiatric impairments, are
disabilities if they would
“substantially limit” major life
activities when active. The
regulation also provides a more
straightforward way of
demonstrating a substantial
limitation in the major life
activity of working, and
implements the new ADAAA
standard for determining whether
someone is “regarded as” having
a disability. The 60-day public
comment period on the proposed
rule-making will officially
commence upon publication of the
NPRM in the Federal Register,
which is expected to be
published the week of September
21, 2009. The EEOC encourages
the public to offer its views
and suggestions. FMI: See
http://www.eeoc.gov/press/9-16-09f.html.
Further information about the
EEOC is available on its web
site at
www.eeoc.gov
TOP
PARF Awards at 2009 Annual
Conference
PARF will be presenting its 2009
annual awards at the PARF Annual
Conference to be held September
21-24 at the Nittany Lion Inn, State
College, PA. The 2009 Annual Awards
Luncheon on Wednesday, September 23
will honor distinguished careers,
individual achievements,
distinguished service, agency
accomplishments, and leadership.
PARF will also present awards at its
annual membership meeting on
Tuesday, September 24, for the
service of members, initiatives in
employment of people with
disabilities, and special
anniversaries. FMI: To obtain a
conference brochure and more
information on the PARF Annual
Conference, see
www.parf.org.
Deadline for Grant Applications for
Beacons of Employment Excellence
on October 1
PARF has circulated applications to
its members for participating in a
grant program and obtaining funds to
improve the quality and
effectiveness of programs assisting
people with disabilities in
obtaining employment. The Beacons of
Employment Excellence initiative is
designed to build the capacity of
Pennsylvania’s Community
Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs) and
related programs serving individuals
with a disability to provide high
quality employment services. Funds
will be available to selected
programs for up to a 12 month period
of organizational development and
training and technical assistance
focused on building a sustainable
capacity to provide high quality
employment services. Applications
are due October 1, 2009. The
initiative is intended to increase
community integrated employment
outcomes for individuals with
disabilities in Pennsylvania. The
Beacons of Employment Excellence
programs will be
committed to an employment first
priority for services focused on
work that provides individuals with
a disability jobs with full
community integration, the potential
for benefits, and the dignity that
arises from gainful employment. For
a copy of the Request for
Application (RFA) contact PARF at
parfmail@parf.org.
Questions about the RFA should be
addressed to Grant Revell, VCU RRTC,
at phone number (804) 828-6989 or
email
wgrevell@vcu.edu.
TOP
Rehabilitation Training and Resource
Center to offer Web Course:
"Supported Competitive Employment
for Individuals with Mental Illness"
Upcoming offerings:
September 14 - December 13, 2009 (Register
Online)
|
Cost: |
$250 per individual
$1000 for 5 individuals
|
Overview of the Course
There are six lessons in this
course, each lasting two weeks.
Please note that the information for
a specific lesson will be available
by 9:00 am E.T. on the first date
for any given lesson. Each lesson
will consist of audio lectures, a
discussion question, and a quiz or
homework assignment. You must finish
the assignments for a lesson within
the specified time frame in order to
receive a certificate of completion
from Virginia Commonwealth
University. Sessions will include
information on these topics:
- evidence-based practice and
research base,
- career development,
- customer choice,
- cultural competency,
- marketing and job
development,
- developing business
partnerships,
- interagency collaboration,
- self-employment,
- workplace supports /
computer supports,
- social security work
incentives, and
- funding
Lesson
1: Overview and Research Base of
Supported Employment
Evidence Based Practice
Research
Individual Placement and Support
Model
Lesson
2: Building Relationships with
Business
Marketing
Marketing Analysis
Educating Employers
Lesson
3: Establishing a Career Direction
Overview of Mental Illness
and Customer Support Needs
Formal and Informal Assessment
Strategies
Customer Involvement in the Career
Identification Process
Cultural Competency
Lesson
4: Job Development
Customer Involvement in the
Job Development Process
Job Analysis
Pre-employment Process (e.g.
interviews, disclosure, etc.)
Self-employment Options
Lesson
5: Employment Support
Compensatory Strategies
Natural Supports and Building
Coworker Relationships
Job Coach Intervention
On-site vs. Off Site Support
On-going Support and Follow-along
services
Lesson
6: Benefits Counseling and Other
Special Topics
Ticket to Work and Outcome
Based Funding
SSI and SSDI
Work Incentives
Sample Course Lectures
- Supported Employment, Dr.
Robert Drake & Dr. Paul Wehman
- The Supported Employment
Fidelity Scale, Dr. Gary Bond
- The Employment Intervention
Demonstration Program, Dr.
Judith Cook
- Customer Profile &
Establishing a Career Direction,
Dr. Inge & Dennis Born
- The Customer's Perspective,
Interviews from the Individual's
Viewpoint
- Marketing & Job Development,
Pam Targett and Dr. Amy
Armstrong
- Workplace Supports &
Compensatory Strategies, Laurie
Ford
- Funding, Grant Revell & Dan
O'Brien
- Social Security Work
Incentives, Jennifer McDonough
- Cultural Competency, Dr.
Ernest Quimby
System
Requirements - Your
computer must have a sound card,
speakers,
Adobe Acrobat
Reader (free software),
and
RealPlayer or
RealAlternative (free
software). Each participant MUST
have his or her own e-mail address
and Internet access. We cannot
correspond with participants through
an e-mail address that is assigned
to another person. If the individual
does not already have an account, a
free one can be set up through
Hotmail.
We send updates on the course
activities and feedback on course
activities through e-mail contact.
Participants must be able to receive
and send messages in order to
benefit from this online experience.
VCU-RRTC staff are available to
provide technical assistance on how
to use the Internet for distance
education. Transcripts are posted
for all online audio lectures.
If you have questions about the
technology applications, please
contact
Doug Erickson
at (804) 827-0760. If you have
content questions, please email
Katherine Inge.
TOP
October 2009: Meet the Blind Month
Meet the Blind Month is a nationwide
campaign to increase awareness of and
support for the National Federation of
the Blind. During the month of October,
chapters throughout the country will
conduct activities that spread our
message to their local communities.
TOP
Disability.gov offers social media
tools, upgrades to complement
information from 22 federal agencies
on disability-related programs and
services
Launch of revamped site coincides
with Americans with Disabilities
Act’s 19th anniversary
WASHINGTON — In conjunction with the
19th anniversary of the Americans
with Disabilities Act, the U.S.
Department of Labor has re-named and
re-launched DisabilityInfo.gov as
Disability.gov. Available at
http://www.disability.gov, the
site offers comprehensive
information about programs and
services to better serve more than
50 million Americans with
disabilities, their family members,
veterans, employers, educators,
caregivers and anyone interested in
disability-related information.
The new Web site integrates content
from 22 federal agencies and will be
managed by the Labor Department. The
former DisabilityInfo.gov site was
revamped with social media tools to
encourage interaction and feedback,
and new ways to organize, share and
receive information. Visitors can
sign up for personalized news and
updates, participate in online
discussions and suggest resources
for the site. New features include a
Twitter feed, Really Simple
Syndication feeds, a blog, social
bookmarking and a user-friendly way
to obtain answers to questions on
such topics as finding employment
and job accommodations. Additional
tools will be added during the
months ahead.
"Far more than just a directory of
federal resources, Disability.gov is
a meeting ground for Americans to
learn, respond and communicate about
a wealth of critically important
disability-related topics," said
Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.
"The new site has been vastly
enhanced to provide more information
in as efficient and interactive
setting as possible."
The site is organized into 10
subject areas: benefits, civil
rights, community life, education,
emergency preparedness, employment,
health, housing, technology and
transportation. By selecting a
category, visitors are directed to
useful information on federal and
state government programs and
services, news and events, grants
and funding opportunities, and more.
"The Department of Labor is pleased
to be the managing partner of
Disability.gov and to help advance
the independence and full
participation of people with
disabilities in the workforce, the
classroom and their communities,"
said Kathleen Martinez, assistant
secretary for the Labor Department's
Office of Disability Employment
Policy (ODEP).
Disability.gov contains thousands of
links to reliable information from
its federal agency partners, as well
as educational institutions,
nonprofit organizations, and state
and local governments.
ODEP is leading a 21st century
federal response to the historic
underemployment of people with
disabilities. In collaboration with
other government agencies, public
and private employers, and
additional stakeholders, ODEP
facilitates the development and
implementation of innovative
policies and practices necessary to
achieve a fully inclusive workplace.
ODEP's work primarily falls into
three categories: employers and the
workplace; workforce systems; and
employment-related supports, which
include education and training,
health care, reliable
transportation, affordable housing
and assistive technology. For more
information, visit
http://www.dol.gov/odep
TOP
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Receives $23.1 Million in Recovery
Funding
PA Labor & Industry Internet
Department Press Releases
and News
|
News
Release
For
Immediate
Release
June 23, 2009
|
Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania
Department of
Labor and
Industry
Commonwealth
News Bureau
Room 308 Main
Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA
17120
|
Contact:
Christopher
Manlove
(717) 787-7530
|
Office of
Vocational
Rehabilitation Receives
$23.1 Million in
Recovery Funding
Public Comment
Sought on Investment
Plan to Boost
Independent-Living
Programs
HARRISBURG --
The Pennsylvania Office
of Vocational
Rehabilitation, or OVR,
received more than $23.1
million in American
Recovery and
Reinvestment Act funding
to support the
Vocational
Rehabilitation State
Grants program.
The investment plan for
the ARRA funding is
available for public
comment until July 7 at
www.paworkforce.state.pa.us
under "Recovery Act
Workforce Information &
Initiatives."
A breakdown of the
funding is as follows:
- $20.9 million in
Title I Vocational
Rehabilitation Funds for
programs that implement
innovative strategies to
improve employment
outcomes for individuals
with disabilities.
- $1.6 million in
Title VII Independent
Living Older Blind Funds
for programs that work
to maximize blind
individuals' leadership,
empowerment,
independence and
productivity.
- $552,000 for Title
VII-B Independent Living
Funds for programs that
provide services to
individuals with
significant
disabilities.
This funding will create
or save 2,500 jobs in
the state and provide
additional economic
benefit through the
vendors from whom OVR
purchases goods and
services.
To learn more about how
the federal Recovery Act
will benefit
Pennsylvania, visit
www.recovery.pa.gov.
|
The Partnership Plus
Online Toolkit is designed to assist
State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
agencies in taking advantage of the new
service delivery option under the NEW
Ticket to Work program. Under the new
Ticket regulations, the Ticket of a
beneficiary whom a State VR agency
served under the traditional Cost
Reimbursement program (available only to
VR agencies) still has value after the
VR case is closed. As a result, an EN
that gets the Ticket assignment after VR
closes a Cost Reimbursement case can
qualify for Milestone and Outcome
payments as the beneficiary attains
specific levels of work or earnings.
The Toolkit, located at
http://partnershipplus.cessi.net/, is
designed to assist State VR agencies in:
- Assessing and choosing among agency
options for serving beneficiaries with
disabilities.
- Identifying potential partners and
developing partnerships with ENs.
- Maximizing program income received
from SSA.
- Communicating effectively with
beneficiaries, partners, potential
partners, and other interested
stakeholders.
- Creating systems and processes
associated with both the Ticket program
and the Cost Reimbursement program.
Partnership Plus offers many benefits to
all involved. It has the potential to be
a win-win-win situation for
beneficiaries, VR agencies and ENs. To
learn more about Partnership Plus and
the benefits to beneficiaries, ENs and
VR agencies, check out the Toolkit at:
http://partnershipplus.cessi.net/
Other
Key Tools for VR Agencies
To learn more about the
traditional Cost Reimbursement program
and how State VR agencies work with
Social Security beneficiaries with
disabilities, visit SSA’s Work Site to
access the most up-to-date version of
the VR Providers Handbook:
www.socialsecurity.gov/work/documents/VRProviderHandbook.doc.
For
more information on the Ticket to Work
Program, please visit:
www.ssa.gov/work
-
SSA’s Work Site
www.yourtickettowork.com -
MAXIMUS, Ticket Operations Manager
www.cessi.net/ttw
-
CESSI, Ticket Recruitment and Outreach
Manager
********************************************************
This list is managed by
the CESSI Division of Axiom Resource
Management, the Program Manager for
Recruitment & Outreach (PMRO) for Social
Security’s Ticket to Work Program. If
you need additional information or if
you wish to subscribe or unsubscribe to
this mailing list, please contact us at
TickettoWork@cessi.net.
TOP
PA Senate Adopts Legislation on Problem
Solving Courts
On June 3 the PA Senate in a 49-0 vote
approved legislation (Senate Bill 383)
sponsored by Senator Jane C. Orie
(R-Allegheny) establishing problem
solving courts providing for more
extensive supervision of non-violent
offenders. Problem solving courts
include mental health courts and drug
courts. SB 383 will statutorily
authorize the implementation of problem
solving courts in the Commonwealth. The
court of common pleas of a judicial
district and the Municipal Court of
Philadelphia may establish one or more
problem solving courts which have
specialized jurisdiction, including, but
not limited to, drug courts, mental
health courts and driving under the
influence courts, whereby defendants are
admitted to a court-supervised
individualized treatment program. The
court may adopt local rules for the
administration of problem solving courts
and their related treatment services.
The local rules may not be inconsistent
with this section or any rules
established by the Supreme Court. Under
SB 383 the Supreme Court may appoint a
statewide problem solving courts
coordinator to encourage and assist in
the establishment of problem solving
courts in each judicial district. The
coordinator would provide coordination
and technical assistance for grant
applications. The Supreme Court may also
establish an interdisciplinary and
inter-branch advisory committee to
advise and assist the statewide problem
solving courts coordinator in monitoring
and administrating problem solving
courts statewide. The bill would enable
Pennsylvania to obtain financial
assistance in creating these courts. FMI:
See
http://www.legis.state.pa.us.
TOP
New Website Launched for People Who Are
Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing
Friends
A new website has just been launched
specifically for people that are Deaf,
Deafblind, and hard of hearing, designed
to give access to general medical and
behavioral health information. It has
video streamed ASL, captioning, and text
and a wide variety of information.
The new website can be found at
www.healthbridges.info
TOP
U.S. Senators John Kerry and Arlen
Specter
Introduce Pedestrian Safety Enhancement
Act
National Federation of the Blind
Applauds Measure
to Protect Lives and Preserve
Independence of Blind Americans
Washington, DC (April 22, 2009):
Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Arlen
Specter (R-PA) introduced a bill, S.
841, intended to protect the blind and
other pedestrians from injury or death
as a result of silent vehicle
technology. The Pedestrian Safety
Enhancement Act of 2009 requires the
Secretary of Transportation to conduct a
study on how to protect the blind and
others from being injured or killed by
vehicles using hybrid, electric, and
other silent engine technologies.
Because blind pedestrians cannot locate
and evaluate traffic using their vision,
they must listen to traffic to discern
its speed, direction, and other
attributes in order to travel safely and
independently. Other people, including
pedestrians who are not blind,
bicyclists, runners, and small children,
also benefit from hearing the sound of
vehicle engines. New vehicles that
employ hybrid or electric engine
technology can be silent, rendering them
extremely dangerous in situations where
vehicles and pedestrians come into
proximity with each other.
“The National Federation of the Blind
appreciates the wise and decisive action
taken today by Senators Kerry and
Specter to preserve the right to safe
and independent travel for the blind,”
said Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the
National Federation of the Blind. “The
blind, like all pedestrians, must be
able to travel to work, to school, to
church, and to other places in our
communities without being injured or
killed. This bill will benefit all
pedestrians for generations to come as
new vehicle technologies become more
prevalent. The blind of America will do
everything in our power to ensure its
swift passage.”
“I’m a major proponent of hybrid
vehicles––I own one, I drive one, and
I’ve seen firsthand their environmental
and economic benefits,” said Senator
Kerry. “The market is demanding new
technologies in the auto industry, and
Americans are demanding we finally kick
our foreign oil addiction. As we
continue to promote our energy
independence, however, we must do more
to ensure the safety of those who use
senses other than sight to navigate the
roads. I look forward to working with
Secretary LaHood to ensure that hybrid
vehicles are safe for everyone.”
“Blind people have the same right to
safe travel as all other pedestrians,”
said Senator Specter. “I look forward to
working with my colleagues on this
important legislation to ensure that the
blind and other pedestrians can continue
to travel safely and independently.”
TOP
SPEAKING for OURSELVES ANNUAL
CONFERENCE
SAVE THE DATE!
JUNE 19th 2009
for the
SPEAKING for OURSELVES
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Where?
Sheraton Harrisburg Hotel
HARRISBURG, PA
Be Empowered!
Have a Good Time!
Come and Join us!
For More Information call us at our
NEW location:
215-923-8600
TOP
NCD to Release Annual Progress Report
NCD to Release Annual Progress Report
The National Council on Disability (NCD)
will conduct its next quarterly meeting
in Washington, DC from March 30-April 1,
2009. On March 31, NCD will release its
annual Progress Report to the President
and Congress that details the
challenges, issues and solutions
impacting people with disabilities
nationwide. Visit NCD's
newsroom
to read last
year's report. |
