Live Work Achieve: January 2013

Call for Proposals Is Now Open!

Take part in the 2013 Mississippi disAbility MegaConference by submitting a presentation proposal to one of the most diverse gatherings in the state. Be a part of change in Mississippi and

participate in discussions that stimulate and invigorate the mind, body and soul. With more than 500 people expected in 2013, the MegaConference has the advantage of harnessing the brilliance of people who are the community builders of today and the trendsetters of tomorrow. This conference embraces the ideal that people with disabilities and their families can and should seek knowledge, hope, choice and fulfillment to live their best life.

The MegaConference welcomes presenters from diverse perspectives including individuals representing all disability areas. We seek speakers who can share the experiences of family members and supporters across all disability areas, stories of individuals that provide powerful lessons, examples of best practice in program and service provision, and action plans that meet human and social needs.

Topic Areas

The Mississippi disAbility MegaConference is soliciting presentations on all topics important to people with disabilities and their families. This year’s conference has a particular focus on health and employment for Mississippians with disabilities. Information for and about veterans is also welcome. We always encourage proposals from presenters with disabilities and their families. If you would like to submit a proposal or need additional information, please contact Alma Ellis at 601.432.6975 or aellis@ihl.state.ms.us. Presenters must be available to present on June 20 or 21, 2013. The Program Committee reserves the right to schedule your one-hour presentation at any time on those two conference days. Presentations must be submitted before March 1, 2013. Presenters will be notified of their selection and the date and time of their presentation on Mar. 31, 2013. PowerPoint presentations, handouts or other materials must be submitted to the committee by Apr. 30, 2013.

Conference Dates - June 20-21, 2013

Conference Location - Marriott Jackson, 200 East Amite Street, Jackson, Miss.

For more information and registration for the 2013 Mississippi disAbility MegaConference, the special events, and workshops go to http://drms.ms/mega.

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Live.WORK.Achieve is sponsored by the Mississippi Partnerships for Employment (MSPE) for Youth and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities, Including Intellectual Disabilities project. MSPE is funded by the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is managed by the Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities (MS CDD), Disability Rights Mississippi (DRMS) and The University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies (IDS).

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Live.WORK.Achieve

A Listserv for the Mississippi Partnerships for Employment

for Youth and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Including Intellectual Disabilities Project

January 2013

Welcome to Live.WORK.Achieve, a monthly e-newsletter targeting anyone interested in and supportive of employment for youth and young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Live.WORK.Achieve is offered through the Institute for Disability Studies in collaboration with the Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities and Disability Rights Mississippi and includes resources and information on employment and career development.

Inside this edition:

1) National Mentoring Month

2) Video Highlights Assistive Technology in the Workplace

3) Youth and Work: Restoring Teen and Young Adult Connections to Opportunity

4) New Disability Disclosure Resources at NCWD/Youth

5) EARN Launches Updated Website

6) NSTTAC Youth to Work Coalition

1) National Mentoring Month

January is National Mentoring Month and the perfect time to get involved with mentoring youth in your community. Learn more about what it means to be a mentor and how to get involved. Check out the Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP™), a high-tech, career-focused mentoring model developed and led by the Institute for Educational Leadership's Center for Workforce Development. RAMP™ is based on a variety of foundational materials developed by NCWD/Youth and the National Consortium on Leadership and Disability for Youth. Currently, a variety of organizations operate RAMP™ programs in 13 communities around the country. To learn more about RAMP™ and local and state level RAMP™ sites, visit http://ramp.iel.org/mentoring-resources.

2) Video Highlights Assistive Technology in the Workplace

Under the DOL-funded Disability Employment Initiative's (DEI) VA project, the Arlington/Alexandria Workforce Investment Board has produced a 5-minute video on "Universal Design in the Workplace." This video highlights a variety of assistive technology in the workplace for persons with various disabilities. It also discusses the Return on Investment (ROI) and the value to the business sector. Watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EtGPqGgvbu4.

3) Youth and Work: Restoring Teen and Young Adult Connections to Opportunity

The Annie E. Casey Foundation released a new Kids Count report entitled, “Youth and Work: Restoring Teen and Young Adult Connections to Opportunity.” In the report, the Casey Foundation highlights that nearly 6.5 million U.S. teens and young adults are neither in school nor in the workforce. With employment among young people at its lowest levels since the 1950s, these youth are veering toward chronic unemployment as adults and failing to gain the skills employers need in the 21st century. In addition to new national and state data on the issue, the report offers recommendations to support youth in gaining a stronger foothold in the economy. For more information or to download the report, visit http://www.aecf.org/KnowledgeCenter/Publications.aspx?pubguid={3213DA55-8216-4065-B408-D7A521CDD990}.

4) New Disability Disclosure Resources at NCWD/Youth

For youth, choosing to disclose one’s disability to peers, teachers, or supervisors can be a very difficult and personal decision which has a direct impact on some of the services received. It is important for youth service professionals to understand all of the pros and cons around disability disclosure to guide young people with disabilities through this process. In these videos, a companion to NCWD/Youth’s workbook, “The 411 on Disability Disclosure: A Workbook for Youth with Disabilities,” youth with disabilities discuss why they chose to disclose their disabilities and how it has helped them to succeed in work and at school. For the videos, visit http://www.ncwd-youth.info/videos. For the workbook, visit http://www.ncwd-youth.info/411-on-disability-disclosure.

5) EARN Launches Updated Website

The EARN website has had a facelift! The Employer Assistance and Resource Network announces the launch of its revamped website. The website was expertly redesigned in response to feedback from employers and other users. Streamlined with connections to social media and now adaptable to mobile devices, the new EARN website continues to provide valuable resources for employers seeking to recruit, hire and retain qualified employees with disabilities. For more information and resources, visit http://www.askearn.org/.

6) NSTTAC Youth to Work Coalition

The National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC), in partnership with the US Business Leadership Network (USBLN) and other organizations focused on employment of youth and young adults with disabilities, has launched a newly reorganized Youth to Work Coalition (YTWC) website, accessible through NSTTAC’s website. For more information, visit http://www.nsttac.org/ytw/home.

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If this mailing was forwarded to you and you are not already subscribed to the Live.WORK.Achieve listserv, here’s how you can become a subscriber:

TO UNSUBSCRIBE

****************************************

Please visit the IDS Calendar of Events at http://www.usm.edu/ids/calevents/.

Questions may be addressed to

Alma.Ellis@usm.edu

Jerry.Alliston@usm.edu