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What a Disability Program Navigator (DPN) IS …

• A Systems Change Agent.  Examples include, but are not limited to:
  • Improved access to One-Stop services through readily available assistive technology.
  • Development and implementation of a reasonable accommodation policy and procedure.
  • Change in relationship with a specific collaborator, including negotiation of co-location and/or MOU.
  • Increased access and use of Individual Training Accounts (ITAs) by job seekers with disabilities.
  • Training on serving customers with disabilities as part of One-Stop new-hire orientation.
     
• A Problem Solver.  Examples include, but are not limited to:
  • Identifying appropriate community resources for job seekers with disabilities to remove barriers to employment (i.e., training, transportation, housing, assistive technology needs, etc.).
  • Working together with the CWIC Specialist to show customers how to use work incentives to reach employment goals.
  • Finding the answers to questions that One-Stop staff have regarding the ADA or other disability-related topics.
  • Providing consultation to employers on providing reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities.
     
• A Relationship Builder.  Examples include, but are not limited to:
  • Coordinating One-Stop orientations, tours, and Open Houses targeting the disability community.
  • Regularly participating in community events, resource fairs and business roundtables as a One-Stop representative.
  • Consulting with mandated and non-mandated partners regularly about accessibility, accommodations and other disability-related topics.
  • Organizing or joining an interagency collaboration which focuses on accessibility, sharing of resources and/or improving employment outcomes for persons with disabilities.
     
• A Resource.  Examples include, but are not limited to:
  • Being available to answer questions staff have on serving job seekers with disabilities.
  • Offering guidelines to One-Stop staff on interacting with people with a wide range of disabilities.
  • Presenting orientations on WIA and One-Stop services to a wide variety of community service providers.
  • Coordinating workshops in One-Stops on disclosure, reasonable accommodations, work incentives and job seekers’ rights and responsibilities under the ADA.
  • Offering information to the business community on hiring/retaining individuals with disabilities.
     
• A Facilitator.  Examples include, but are not limited to:
  • Bringing together multiple partners who are working with one individual to foster a collaborative effort.
  • Coordinating staff training on a variety of disability-related topics.
  • Improving communication between the One-Stop and partners by educating both about their systems.
  • Bridging the gaps between the business and human service communities by organizing forums for discussion.

What a Disability Program Navigator (DPN) IS NOT …

• A Case Manager.
   
• A Front-Line Staff Person in a One-Stop Career Center.
   
• A Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor/Specialist.
   
• A SSA Community Work Incentive Coordinator (CWIC)