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
November 13, 2009
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.
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.
Have a great weekend!
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,
First, congratulations to the cities that were recognized for their extraordinary efforts to be accessible to people with disabilities. As winners or finalists of the National Organization on Disability's (NOD) Accessible America Award, these cities have demonstrated their unwavering commitment to the inclusion and full participation of people with disabilities in our workforce, our classrooms and our communities.
Check out the cities under For Your Information and see whether your city made the list. Some other resources and publications of interest to check out include the “National Service Inclusion Project, a Corporation for National and Community Service training and technical assistance provider, includes some great disability resources AND information on providing national service opportunities for people with disabilities. Check it out under Resources of Interest. Under Publications of Interest, review a new publication from the Rocky Mountain ADA Center, “People with Disabilities: To work or not - the choice is yours.”It represents the findings of a study to learn what benefits participants got from work other than money. This study also looked at strategies participants used to go to work. Interviews were conducted with 21 people with disabilities in California, Colorado, Montana and Utah (all DPN states) during the summer of 2008. The results from the study are being used to inform people with disabilities who are wondering if work is “worth the trouble.” The study presents compelling reasons for working, several strategies for getting to work and gives people with disabilities options as they consider employment. DPNs, this could serve as a great resource to not only make available to customers with disabilities but also to One-Stop and partner staff, as well as community organizations and employers.
Under the new section: Real Economic Impact
Okay, this first resource is a really cool game to play (the NDI TA team has played it!!!), while being educational, NDI REI Tour and Visa’s Financial Soccer Game [ http://reitour.financialsoccer.com/ ]. The National Disability Institute through its REI Tour worked with Visa to co-brand a disability online version of the Visa, Inc. critically acclaimed Financial Soccer game to test individuals’ knowledge of core financial concepts of managing credit, saving and staying on a budget. Financial Soccer is a fast-paced, multiple-choice question game, testing players' knowledge of financial management skills as they advance down field, and try to score goals. As a collaborative effort with the National Disability Institute, Visa included 100
questions that are specific to disability and these questions are incorporated into the games random multiple choice question structure. Like the 30
second trainings, it can serve as another great educational tool on finances for all people, including those with disabilities.
As a Navigator, you can facilitate access to financial literacy by discussing the importance of Financial Literacy with One-Stop Career Center staff and Partner staff who work with people with disabilities. One great way to do so is through the “Money Smart Financial Literacy Curriculum [ http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/ ]. Money Smart represents one strategy to promote and facilitate asset development. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) created the Money Smart Curriculum to help youth and adults outside the financial mainstream enhance their money skills and create positive banking relationships. Money Smart is available free of charge and is not copyrighted, so it can be modified to fit the needs of the any population. This versatility makes it an ideal curriculum to offer in One-Stop Career Centers.
The Money Smart curriculum can be accessed in a couple different ways.
Have you been checking it out…..
That is, DPNavigator’s “What’s New [ http://dpnavigator.net/pages/whatsnew.html ] and Training [ http://dpnavigator.net/pages/training.html ] pages!!!!!! If you had, you would learn how to access things like the new Workforce3One Disability and Employment page, learn about upcoming training opportunities for Navigators, and access recent archived trainings like the New Navigator Orientation and Training two-part series and the 30-second trainings….. These archived trainings include links to view the webinar, as well as links to download “and use” resources and materials, so check it out.
REMINDERS
Participate in a National Dialogue about Accessible Transportation
[ www.UWRdialogue.org ]
Many Navigators have worked tirelessly within their communities to help make transportation more accessible especially since this is a key component to many individuals with disabilities obtaining and maintaining employment. Do you have suggestions and ideas that you would like to share with national leaders that can assist communities to increase access to affordable and reliable transportation services for people with disabilities, older adults, and people with limited incomes? If so, please register to participate in an upcoming national online dialogue with representatives of the federal government, state and community leaders! For more information, and to register, just click the link to visit the Dialogue website: [ www.UWRdialogue.org ].
As always, check out the full Table of Contents!
Happy Friday!
President Obama Launches Major Veterans Employment Initiative
White House Press Release
November 9, 2009
[ http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-launches-major-veterans-employment-initiative ]
[The following is excerpted from the Press Release.]
The White House announced the launch of an initiative that is designed to transform the federal government into the model employer of America’s veterans. [On November 9th] President Obama was joined by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry to sign an Executive Order on the Employment of Veterans in the federal government, which establishes the Veterans Employment Initiative for the Executive Branch. The Initiative underscores to federal agencies the importance of recruiting and training veterans, aims to increase the employment of veterans within the Executive Branch, and helps recently hired veterans adjust to service in a civilian capacity.
The Executive Order creates an interagency Council on Veterans Employment that will advise the President and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management on the veterans’ employment initiative. The Council will be chaired by Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki. OPM Director John Berry will serve as the Vice Chair and Chief Operating Officer of the Council.
The Order also establishes a Veterans Employment Program office within most federal agencies. These offices will be responsible for helping veterans identify employment opportunities within those federal agencies, providing feedback to veterans about their employment application status, and helping veterans recently employed by these agencies adjust to civilian life and a workplace culture often different than military service. In addition, the Office of Personnel Management will issue a government-wide strategic plan that will focus on creating leadership commitment and an infrastructure in each agency to promote continued skills development and employment success for veterans. The strategic plan will also include marketing strategies aimed at agency hiring managers as well as veterans and transitioning service members.
At the end of Fiscal Year 2008, there were approximately 480,000veterans working within the federal government.
For more information, visit: [ www.fedshirevets.gov ].
Recovery and Reemployment Research Conference Presentations Now Available U.S. Department of Labor New Monthly Data Series on Employment Status of People with a Disability - October
[ http://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsdisability.htm ]
In June 2008, questions were added to the Current Population Survey (CPS) to identify persons with a disability in the civilian noninstitutional population age 16
and older. The addition of these questions allowed BLS
to begin releasing monthly labor force data from the CPS for persons with a disability. The collection of these data is sponsored by the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy. Publication of CPS disability data began in February 2009
with the issuance of labor force data for January 2009. Explanatory materials are available on the frequently asked questions page ([ http://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsdisability_faq.htm ]. These materials provide information on comparisons with other data sources, variability of the data, and the types of data available. Additionally, links to historical data and alternate formats are located below.
In October 2009, the unemployment rate of persons with a disability was 16.5 percent, compared with 9.2 percent for persons with no disability, not seasonally adjusted. The employment-population ratio for persons with a disability was 18.1 percent, compared with 64.0 percent for persons with no disability.
ePolicyWorks
U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
ODEP News Release on October 30, 2009
[ http://www.dol.gov/odep/media/press/wbc.htm ]
ePolicyWorks is a collaborative, information-sharing initiative among national policymakers designed to address specific barriers to employment faced by people with disabilities. The goals of ePolicyWorks closely align with the guiding principles outlined in the President’s disability agenda - from strengthening access to and improving the quality of health care, to protecting civil rights and increasing opportunities for employment. Facilitating real-time coordination and communication, ePolicyWorks is an unprecedented effort to tackle today’s critical disability employment issues.
[The following is excerpted from the ODEP press release.]
Web-based technology is being leveraged to facilitate real-time coordination and communication around key policy areas. Multiple federal agencies and national policymakers will work together to ensure that Americans with disabilities have equal access to employment and critical employment-related supports such as health care, education, employment, transportation, housing and technology.
Partners in the ePolicyWorks initiative include the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Transportation; the Social Security Administration; and others. National policymakers representing critical stakeholders also will play a central role in the dialogue, reflecting the administration’s commitment to open government, collaboration and participation on disability and employment-related issues.
Access the URL to read the full press release.
Cities Throughout U.S. Declare Disability.gov Day During National Disability Employment Awareness Month
U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy
[ http://www.disability.gov/home/press_room/2009_disability.gov_day_proclamations ]
The following cities have been nationally recognized for their extraordinary efforts to be accessible to people with disabilities. As winners or finalists of the National Organization on Disability's (NOD) Accessible America Award, these cities have demonstrated their unwavering commitment to the inclusion and full participation of people with disabilities in our workforce, our classrooms and our communities. In conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Assistant Secretary Martinez asked mayors from cities, recognized for their accessibility and contributions to the disability community, to declare a day in October as Disability.gov Day. By declaring Disability.gov Day during National Disability Employment Awareness Month, they once again showed their support for the disability community. The Department of Labor and the Office of Disability Employment Policy extend their thanks and appreciation to all the cities that participated!
Webinar Invitation: Disability Program Navigator Training on Electronic-Tools (E-Tools)
U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration
December 2, 2009
2pm Eastern Time
[ http://www.workforce3one.org/view/5000930952518361686/info ]
Presenters:
Moderator: Randee Chafkin, National DPN Program Office, Division of Adult Services, Employment and Training Administration
DESCRIPTION
This Webinar is designed to provide customized training to Disability Program Navigators on the various Electronic Tools supported by the Employment and Training Administration's Office of Workforce Investment. Attendees will benefit from an overview of products and tools using the O*NET
System and CareerOneStop.org. Specifically, information about the following products will be highlighted: (1) Career Exploration Assessments; (2) Navigating the O*NET database; (3) Military Crosswalk; (4) Skills Search; (5) Re-Employment Portal; (6) Employer Locator; and (7) State Job Banks and Labor Market Information.
Staff from the Employment and Training Administration's Division of Workforce System Support and the Disability Program Navigator Initiative Office collaboratively developed training and instruction related to how the Employment and Training Administration's electronic tools can help Disability Program Navigators (DPNs) provide enhanced services to their customers. As a result of a focus group held earlier this year, this Webinar is presented to highlight specific tools that were identified as being particularly useful to DPNs. Webinar participants will hear from ETA representatives who have experience in career assessments and the use of electronic career tools and resources to support customers of the One-Stop Career system.
REGISTRATION
Registration for this Webinar is limited and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please click the link below to login to Workforce3 One and register today!
[ http://www.workforce3one.org/view/5000930952518361686/info ]
ACCOMMODATIONS
If you are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or have speech disabilities and captioning would facilitate your participation in this Webinar, you can register for captioning service through the Federal Relay Conference Captioning. Please note the Federal Relay Service requires at least 48
hours notice (2 working days) to guarantee coverage. For more information, visit [ http://www.workforce3one.org/page/webinarcaptioning ].
NSIP offers:
NSIP Frequently Asked Questions
U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration
[ http://www.serviceandinclusion.org/index.php?page=faq ]
Real Economic Impact Newsletter
[ http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001QCEETLfRg3ZGgDRWkkH9aQ%3D%3D ]
Subscribe to the Real Economic Newsletter to receive up-to-date information on information and resources that can make a real economic impact.
General Information about Asset Development
Asset Development:
Asset Development is a series of strategies that has the potential to:
Examples of Assets:
Why is Asset Development Important to People with Disabilities?
To a person with a disability, saving money and developing assets will produce choices that directly impact their quality of life, especially regarding:
The National Disability Institute through its REI Tour worked with Visa to co-brand a disability online version of the Visa, Inc. critically‐acclaimed Financial Soccer game to test individuals’ knowledge of core financial concepts of managing credit, saving and staying on a budget. Financial Soccer is a fast-paced, multiple-choice question game, testing players' knowledge of financial management skills as they advance down field, and try to score goals. As a collaborative effort with the National Disability Institute, Visa included 100
questions that are specific to disability and these questions are incorporated into the games random multiple choice question structure.
Money Smart represents one strategy to promote and facilitate asset development. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) created the Money Smart Curriculum to help youth and adults outside the financial mainstream enhance their money skills and create positive banking relationships. Money Smart is available free of charge and is not copyrighted, so it can be modified to fit the needs of the any population. This versatility makes it an ideal curriculum to offer in One-Stop Career Centers.
The Money Smart curriculum can be accessed in a couple different ways.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and its partners are making a focused effort to provide financial education and let people know about tax preparation assistance that' is available to individuals with disabilities. Business owners who accommodate individuals with disabilities may also be eligible for tax credits.
True independence for many persons with disabilities comes from working. Today there are policies in place that allow people with disabilities to go to work and not lose their benefits. “Employment supports” is a new way of looking at receiving income and benefits from both a job and government sources for persons with disabilities who have high cost needs. However the lure of government benefits is proving hard to resist. With 99% of people who go on government benefits not leaving the rolls (LaPlante, M., et al., 1996) this study wondered why those who did go to work chose to do so.
The purpose of this study was to find out what benefits the participants got from work other than money. It also looked at strategies participants used to go to work. Interviews were conducted with 21 people with disabilities in California, Colorado, Montana and Utah during the summer of 2008. The results from the study are used to inform people with disabilities who are wondering if work is “worth the trouble.” The study presents compelling reasons for working, several strategies for getting to work and gives people with disabilities options as they consider employment.