N.D.I. Technical Assistance Team
N.D.I. Consulting, Inc.
[ http://www.dpnavigator.net ]
and
The Burton Blatt Institute
Syracuse University
[ http://bbi.syr.edu ]
One–Stop Toolkit Resources of the Week Technical Assistance Project E–Mail listserv
April 2, 2010
Good morning everyone!
Below please find the website(s) and publication(s) of the week, as well as other resources that we hope will be useful as you work on systems change activities to help improve employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Hey, have you checked out the National Disability Institute’s new website yet? Well, if not, you can by going to, [ http://realeconomicimpact.org/ ], and learn about information to connect you to the Real Economic Impact Tour and other economic empowerment initiatives. If you are a part of the disability community, this website shares common goals: to work, save, and build assets – to be a part of the economic mainstream! If you are part of the asset building community, this website can help connect you to people with disabilities, help you market to an untapped customer base, and shape products and services that are affordable and accessible.
On “Real Economic Impact,” you can read blogs, discover savings tips on Money Mondays, join a fan base on Facebook and Twitter. Check out What’s New and Upcoming Events in cities across the country. Become informed on public policy developments in our nation’s capital and sign up for the free newsletters Washington Insider and Real Economic Impact. You can also Ask experts questions and GetREAL answers that will help you create your personal roadmap to financial freedom.
To subscribe and / or view past resources of the week archives, access: [ www.onestoptoolkit.org ] and click on the link to "Resources of the Week" on the right hand side of the home page.
Laura Gleneck
Project Coordinator
NDI Technical Assistance Team
Phone: 781-899-0139
Fax: 781-642-0895
[ E–mail lgleneck@ndi-inc.org ]
[ http://www.dpnavigator.net ]
Good morning Navigators,
DO-IT….. I love that acronym and it fits perfectly for what it is all about, i.e., Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology [ http://www.washington.edu/doit/ ]. If you have never visited this website, then now is a good time to acquaint yourself. DO-IT serves to increase the successful participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs such as those in science, engineering, mathematics, and technology. It promotes the use of computer and networking technologies to increase independence, productivity, and participation in education and employment.
DO-IT materials and resources include free publications, low-cost videotapes that cover a wide range of topics. Each comes with a useful handout which summarizes the content. All videotapes are open captioned for those with hearing impairments. Audio described versions are available for those who are blind. DO-IT has developed comprehensive presentation and program development materials to help make summer camps, electronic resources, libraries, science and mathematics classes, colleges, and careers more accessible to individuals with disabilities. Most include training guidelines, handout templates, overhead transparency templates, videotapes, glossaries, and resource lists.
Learn more about DO-IT’s work in the following topical areas:
Also, check out some of the cool financial education empowerment projects at the National Disability Institute (NDI). Economic empowerment is the capacity to preserve and grow resources that expand quality of life choices. NDI, in partnership with government, financial institutions, and community organizations is testing a variety of strategies to strengthen the ability of individuals with disabilities to develop and control income and assets. They are both fun while at the same time very educational.
Alaris Financial Literacy enables participants to experience Life Scenarios, Games, Financial Calculators and Virtual Learning Environments accompanied by an avatar functioning as their personal mentor. The credit management curriculum will enable participants to better understand how to manage credit cards, understand credit card reports and the importance of maintaining strong credit scores to positively impact the ability to borrow funds for the purchase of a home, means of transportations, or other needs. Access the URL to learn more about Sealund & Associates and the Alaris Financial Literacy program.
Happy Friday!
United States Department of Labor announces results of 'Tools for America’s Job Seekers Challenge' - Career Exploration Tools
Employment and Training Administration News Release
February 4, 2010
[ http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20100146.htm ]
In this news release, the United States Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration shared the results of its Tools for America's Job Seekers Challenge. The top rated sites have been identified in each of six categories - general job boards, niche tools, career tools, career exploration tools, Web 2.0 and "other" - are now available at
[ http://www.careeronestop.org/jobseekertools ].
Over the course of the next few weeks, the One-Stop Toolkit Resources of the Week will highlight these categories in more detail beginning with this issue.
Career Planning Tools
[ http://www.careeronestop.org/JobSeekerTools/CareerPlanningTools.aspx ]
Career Planning Tools (e.g. ladders, transition tools, etc.) focus on individuals who are switching careers, upgrading skills, or entering the workforce. Career tools can include resume writing tools, career readiness sites, and career guides.
The tool descriptions were provided by the tool vendors. Descriptions do not reflect the opinions of the Department of Labor or any of its grantees or contractors. CareerOneStop is not responsible for ensuring the content provided by the tool vendors is complete or entirely factual. These tools were recommended by the public and the Department of Labor does not formally endorse any online job tool.
Since this section includes a long list of tools, only the most recommended are highlighted below. Access the URL to see the full list.
50+ Career Coach - [ http://www.50pluscareercoach.com ]
Finding a job in the current economic climate is challenging, and for the age 50+ job seeker the search may seem daunting. As a workplace expert with a focus on experienced workers, Camille will guide you through the steps that will lead you to that job.Career Ready 101 - [ www.keytrain.com ]
A comprehensive career training course that helps design itself based on available resources! It is an integrated approach to exploring careers and their skill requirements, building workplace skills using KeyTrain®, and creating life-literacy with such skills as financial awareness and job searching.CareerScribe - [ www.CareerScribe.com ]
Careerscribe.com is a free, ongoing virtual career management system for candidates. Our solution offers individuals the ability to upload any and all document, providing evidence of their professional life.GadBall.com - [ http://www.gadball.com ]
GadBall is a unique career portal for Job Seekers and One Stop Centers developed and supported by Data Frenzy, its clients, and job board partners. GadBall is entirely free for Job Seekers and One Stop Centers.Monster's Making It Count Program - [ http://www.makingitcount.com/students/start/default.asp ]
For high school students and life-long learners to plan their career paths. Consists of in-person events, take-home workbook, and follow-up via web sites and direct contact with sponsors to explore career options and educational pathways. Program is tailored to the audience, regional and national needs, and includes sponsorship by stakeholders so attendance is free.National Career Readiness Certificate - [ http://www.act.org/certificate/index.html ]
The National Career Readiness Certificate verifies to employers anywhere in the United States that an individual has essential core employability skills in Reading, Math, and Locating Information. ACT has researched over 16,000 occupations, and these three skills are highly important to the majority of jobs in the workplace. The Certificate is an easily understood and nationally valued credential that certifies the attainment of these workplace skills.Optimal Resume - [ www.optimalresume.com ]
Optimal Resume is the technology leader in career center management software, pioneering flexible, online solutions for resumes, cover letters, interview preparation, portfolios, skills assessments, and video resumes. Our innovative web applications not only improve career center efficiency and performance, but also streamline employer recruitment efforts with leading edge tools for resume searching, online interviewing and videoconferencing, and high-impact brand advertising. Job seekers use Optimal Resume to create and manage all critical employment documents and practice for job interviews in a single online location.ResuWe - [ http://www.resuwe.com/ ]
Make Your Resume Web Friendly and Attractive to Employers With ResuWe, the New Free Resume Optimization and Job Search Tool.Susan Ireland's Resume Site - [ http://susanireland.com ]
Susan Ireland's Resume Site has been offering free help and advice to job seekers of all occupations and levels of employment since 2001 . Large, key sections are also available in Spanish.The Riley Guide - [ http://rileyguide.com/ ]
The Riley Guide is one of the oldest directories of career and employment resources available online. Provided for free to all users, it guides users through all aspects of a job search - not just where the jobs are listed online but also where to look for employers, how to avoid scams, and what other options exist for you when your current job or career field is on the decline.
2010Listening Tour to Address Critical Employment Issues Facing People with Disabilities: Final Tour in Boston.
[ http://www.disabilitylisteningtour.com/ ]
The United States Department of Labor's (DOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and its Federal partners will hold a series of six Listening Sessions across the country on disability employment. Agencies invited to participate in the Listening Sessions include the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS), and Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and Women's Bureau (WB); the Social Security Administration (SSA); the Department of Education (ED); the Office of Personal Management (OMB); and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
These sessions seek input particularly from:
ODEP Assistant Secretary Kathleen Martinez is spearheading the 2010 ODEP Listening Tour to gain rich insights into both systemic barriers and best practices to obtain input in three key areas:
LISTENING TOUR CITIES* (with link to registration)
March 3 - Boston, MA
Open to members of the public residing in the United States Department of Labor's REGION I
[ https://www.disabilitylisteningtour.com/register/index.php?cityclicked=Boston ]
* The listening tour events in Region IV, Dallas, Region III, Philadelphia, Region V, Chicago and Region VI, San Francisco, have already taken place.
National Network of ADA Centers 2010
Online Training Events
[ http://www.adacourse.org/events.php#content ].
These training events provide learning opportunities about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other disability-related subjects including reasonable accommodations; assistive technology; ensuring access for customers with disabilities; accommodation ideas for employees with traumatic brain injuries (TBI); creating accessible videos and many other subjects covering transportation, employment, education and other areas that affect the lives and independence of people with disabilities.
Federal Hiring Expo for People & Veterans with Disabilities
Washington, D.C.
April 26, 2010
[ http://www.opm.gov ]. [Visit website after March 8th for more information]
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the United States Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy are sponsoring this day-long Federal Government-wide Hiring Event. Representatives from many agencies will be reviewing resumes prior to the event, and inviting prospective candidates for interviews.
To help prospective candidates prepare for this event, three pre-Expo webinars will be offered on:
More information will be on the OPM Website [ http://www.opm.gov ] after March 8, 2010 .
Video: How to Support the Employment of People with Disabilities
United States Department of Agriculture
[ https://admin.na5.acrobat.com/_a774694537/p96149019/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal ].
Through this captioned video presentation from the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) TARGET Discovery Series, learn about the technology, organizations, hiring authorities, and best practices that can help increase the employment and advancement of people with disabilities-one of the biggest untapped resources in today's federal and private workplaces..
Debunking the Myths about Disability Benefits and Work
Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program Manager for Recruitment and Outreach
[ http://www.cessi.net/ttw/beneficiaries/myths.html ]
This website includes four myths about disability benefits and work with the facts.
Data Note 26: Vocational Rehabilitation Employment Outcomes for Transition-age Youth with Autism and Other Disabilities
State Data Information
Institute for Community Inclusion
[ http://statedata.info/datanotes/datanote.php?article_id=296 ]
Youth with autism, like youth from other disability subgroups, often participate in state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs to obtain employment. This data note compares employment outcomes for youth with autism and those with all other disabilities who exited VR in FY 2008 .
Access the URL to read the full data note, as well as to view the tables, which summarizes four VR employment outcomes for the disability subgroups: number of closures into employment, rehabilitation rate 1, average weekly hours worked, and average weekly earnings.
Economic empowerment is the capacity to preserve and grow resources that expand quality of life choices. The National Disability Institute (NDI), in partnership with government, financial institutions, and community organizations is testing a variety of strategies to strengthen the ability of individuals with disabilities to develop and control income and assets. Assets include savings, investments, home and business ownership, and human capital gained from continuing education.
NDI has excelled at building partnerships between the asset development and disability communities. The NDI portfolio of Economic Empowerment Projects [ http://www.realeconomicimpact.org/Empowerment-Projects.aspx ] includes four major areas: Financial Education, Capacity and Leadership Development, Training and Technical Assistance, and Affordable and Accessible Financial Services.
Financial Education includes the following resources / information:
Alaris Financial Literacy enables participants to experience Life Scenarios, Games, Financial Calculators and Virtual Learning Environments accompanied by an avatar functioning as their personal mentor. The credit management curriculum will enable participants to better understand how to manage credit cards, understand credit card reports and the importance of maintaining strong credit scores to positively impact the ability to borrow funds for the purchase of a home, means of transportations, or other needs. Access the URL to learn more about Sealund & Associates and the Alaris Financial Literacy program..
IDA Resources: Serving People with Disabilities
Assets for Independence Resource Center
[ http://www.idaresources.org/IDA_disabilities.php ]
Assets for Independence (AFI) grantees (funded by the Administration for Children & Families, United States Department of Health and Human Services) and their partner organizations report that some people with disabilities are having trouble accessing and using Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) . Because they are disproportionately low-income, people with disabilities account for a large share of the AFI target population, but they are underrepresented among IDA participants.
Lack of information about IDAs, misconceptions about how they affect means-tested benefits, and challenges that AFI grantees face in identifying and serving people with disabilities contribute to low participation rates. This section includes information on increasing IDA use by people with disabilities.
Resources available in this section include links to information about:
Understanding Asset Development for Individuals with Disabilities
United States Department of Health and Human Services
Administration for Children & Families Assets for Independence (AFI) Program
[ http://www.idaresources.org/files/Understanding%20Asset%20Development%20for%20Individuals%20with%20Disabilities.pdf ]
Asset development is about encouraging people to save money and to make investments that increase in value over time. The assumption is that as individuals develop assets, they and their families will be able to move out of poverty and remain out of poverty. However, many people mistakenly think that work and asset accumulation will automatically make them ineligible for Social Security Disability benefits.
The Brief underscores the role of asset development for individuals with disabilities given that these individuals are more likely to be unemployed and live in poverty than any other single demographic group in the United States. It includes information on Individual Development Account (IDA) programs and strategies by which Assets for Independence grantees can improve access to IDAs for people with disabilities. These strategies include: outreach to individuals with disabilities and disability service providers, greater accessibility of IDA services, support for IDA participants with disabilities to complete IDA programs, and accommodation of the needs of people with disabilities in IDA financial literacy programs.
DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) serves to increase the successful participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs such as those in science, engineering, mathematics, and technology. It promotes the use of computer and networking technologies to increase independence, productivity, and participation in education and employment.
DO-IT Materials and Resources include:
DO-IT Free Publications
DO-IT distributes materials to those who wish to undertake similar activities or enhance existing school, postsecondary, and employment programs. It maintains a large collection of free publications.
DO-IT Videotapes
Low-cost videotapes cover a wide range of topics. Each comes with a useful handout which summarizes the content. All videotapes are open captioned for those with hearing impairments. Audio described versions are available for those who are blind.
Comprehensive Training Materials
DO-IT has developed comprehensive presentation and program development materials to help make summer camps, electronic resources, libraries, science and mathematics classes, colleges, and careers more accessible to individuals with disabilities. Most include training guidelines, handout templates, overhead transparency templates, videotapes, glossaries, and resource lists.
These products can be ordered by submitting the DO-IT publication order form (Free Publications Order Form or Videotape and Training Materials Order Form). If an order form is not included with this publication, one may be printed from the DO-IT Web site, [ http://www.washington.edu/doit/ ]
Learn more about DO-IT’s work in the following topical areas:
Primary funding for DO-IT is provided by the National Science Foundation, the State of Washington, and the United States. Department of Education
A Brief issued by Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. in December of 2009, describes how the Demonstration to Maintain Independence and Employment (DMIE ) grant program can inform the national health care reform debate. The Brief describes why DMIE was funded, what services were available, and what is known about the program participants. Lessons learned from DMIE include: burdensome cost-sharing can discourage low-income workers with potentially disabling conditions from seeking medical care; coverage that is not affordable places people with potentially disabling conditions at greater risk of being underinsured; and affordable coverage may improve overall health, leading to prolonged employment and a reduction in dependence on Federal disability benefits.