Live Work Achieve: 2014

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MSPE Live.WORK.Acheive mailing list

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

[Mspe] MSPE Live.WORK.Achieve Listserv - Special Edition - Call for Mississippi disAbility MegaConference Presentations

Live.WORK.Achieve

A Listserv for the Mississippi Partnerships for Employment

for Youth and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Including Intellectual Disabilities Project

Special Edition – November 4, 2014

Call for Mississippi disAbility MegaConference Presentations Is Now Open

Take part in the 2015 Mississippi disAbility MegaConference by submitting a presentation proposal to one of the most diverse gatherings in the state. This year’s conference is scheduled for June 18-19, 2015, at the Mariott-Downtown Jackson, located at 200 East Amite Street.

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 celebrating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Information for and about veterans is also welcome. Proposals are encouraged from presenters with disabilities and their families. For a copy of the Call for Presentations application, visit http://www.msmegaconference.org/. Please submit your proposal to Polly Tribble at ptribble@drms.ms or fax it to 601.968.0665. Presenters must be available to present on June 18 or 19, 2015. The Program Committee reserves the right to schedule your one-hour presentation at any time on those two conference days. Proposals must be submitted by email or fax.

Important Deadlines

· Final Submission: Friday, January 16, 2015

· Notification of Selection: Friday, February 6, 2015

· Submission of Presenters’ CEU Forms: Friday, February 27, 2015

· Assistive Visual Tool Submission: Monday, March 30, 2015

· Registration Deadline for Presenters: Tuesday, April 7, 2015

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[Mspe] MSPE Live.WORK.Achieve Listserv - November 2014

Live.WORK.Achieve

A Listserv for the Mississippi Partnerships for Employment

for Youth and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Including Intellectual Disabilities Project

November 2014

Inside this edition:

1) Defense Department Working to Hire More People with Disabilities

2) 2014 National Study of Employers: Including the Talents of Employees with Disabilities

3) Clearinghouse for Labor Evaluation and Research Includes Disability Employment Policy Area

4) Workplace Flexibility Fact Sheet and Toolkit

5) Two New Fact Sheets from AbleData

6) Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology (PEAT)

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1) Defense Department Working to Hire More People with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is taking steps to become a model employer of people with disabilities. The agency’s new director of disability programs, Randy Cooper, is leading a department-wide effort to hire more people with disabilities, including troops wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. For more information, read this article http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=123484.

2) 2014 National Study of Employers: Including the Talents of Employees with Disabilities

The Families and Work Institute (FWI) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) have published the 2014 National Study of Employers: Including the Talents of Employees with Disabilities. Based on a survey of small and large employers related to the use of workplace flexibility (workflex) and the provision of reasonable accommodations, the report proposes recommendations for employers invested in improving employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. With workflex and other reasonable accommodations, employers can create workplaces that support the diverse talents of all employees. For a copy of the 15-page report, visit http://www.familiesandwork.org/downloads/nse-14-disabilities.pdf.

3) Clearinghouse for Labor Evaluation and Research Includes Disability Employment Policy Area

The U.S. Department of Labor's Clearinghouse for Labor Evaluation and Research (CLEAR) is designed to make research on labor topics more accessible to practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and the general public so it can inform their decisions about labor policies and programs. CLEAR now features a Disability Employment Policy topic area that focuses on research determining which programs have been most effective at improving direct labor market outcomes such as employment and earnings, improving education and health status which may affect a person's ability to work, and decreasing federal disability. To see recent areas of research, visit http://clear.dol.gov/topic-area/disability-employment-policy.

4) Workplace Flexibility Fact Sheet and Toolkit

The US Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has released a new fact sheet, Workplace Flexibility: A Strategic Business Approach for an Inclusive Workplace. The fact sheet provides private-sector business examples outlining the benefits of workplace flexibility as well as the federal government's use of this approach. The fact sheet also addresses how workplace flexibility can help employers comply with many federal regulations. In addition, ODEP has provided the Workplace Flexibility Toolkit to assist employers with implementing flexible workplace policies and practices. For a copy of the three-page fact sheet, visit http://www.dol.gov/odep/pdf/workplaceflexibility.pdf. View the toolkit at http://www.dol.gov/odep/workplaceflexibility/.

5) Two New Fact Sheets from AbleData

The AbleData project funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) has released two new information products on assistive technology (AT). Try AT Products Before You Buy outlines how users can gain hands-on experience of AT products via a demonstration at an AT center, a home trial, or short-term loans. View this five-page article at http://abledata.com/abledata_docs/Try%20AT%20Products%20Before%20You%20Buy_PDF.pdf. How AT Can Help You at Play offers tips on choosing the right AT to help staying active with a disability. View this five-page article at http://abledata.com/abledata_docs/How%20AT%20Can%20Help%20You%20at%20Play_PDF.pdf.

6) Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology (PEAT)

The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has announced the launch of PEATworks.org—a comprehensive web portal spearheaded by the Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology (PEAT). From educational articles to interactive tools to expert interviews, PEATworks.org has something for everyone. To stop by, explore, and get excited about accessible technology, visit http://www.peatworks.org/.

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Thursday, October 2, 2014

[Mspe] MSPE Live.WORK.Achieve Listserv - October 2014

Live.WORK.Achieve

A Listserv for the Mississippi Partnerships for Employment

for Youth and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Including Intellectual Disabilities Project

October 2014

Inside this edition:

1) White Cane Safety Day – Jackson, Oct. 15

2) City of Jackson Disability Awareness Day – Jackson, Oct. 22

3) Tools to Educate Business in 30 Seconds

4) Wage Reporting Fact Sheet for SSA Disability Beneficiaries

5) Employer Resource for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

6) Supported Employment Works for People with Mental Illness

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1) White Cane Safety Day – Jackson, Oct. 15

The white cane is recognized as an instrument of safety and self-help for people with visual impairments and symbolizes the capacity to achieve independence and work productively. White Cane Safety Day will be held October 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Jackson Medical Mall. The community is invited to attend. For more information, call Barbara Hadnott at 601.364.2700.

2) City of Jackson Disability Awareness Day – Jackson, Oct. 22

Disability Awareness Day is scheduled for Wednesday, October 22, at Metrocenter Mall Center Court. Registration starts at 9 a.m. and the conference starts at 9:30 a.m. The expo will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Disability Awareness Day is designed to increase public awareness and provide an opportunity for increased services to people with disabilities. The day is sponsored by United Healthcare, BankPlus, United Way and the City of Jackson. For additional information, call Sam Gleese, ADA coordinator for the City of Jackson, at 601.960.1572.

3) Tools to Educate Business in 30 Seconds

As part of ongoing technical assistance, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration's Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) Technical Assistance Team, National Disability Institute (NDI), created the Employment and Disability 30-Second Training Series and complementary Business Resource Guide. These resources are designed to educate employers, hiring managers, and supervisors about proven strategies and easy-to-use resources to hire, retain, and advance existing employees who experience the onset of a disability or who have existing disabilities. These tools will provide valuable information to businesses. To view and download the 10 series segments and the resource guide, visit https://disability.workforce3one.org/page/tag/1001403833465878171.

4) Wage Reporting Fact Sheet for SSA Disability Beneficiaries

The National Disability Institute has produced the Wage Reporting Fact Sheet for Social Security disability beneficiaries. This two-page fact sheet describes when and how to report wages, and how the wages are counted. For a copy of the fact sheet, visit http://realeconomicimpact.org/data/files/other%20documents/wage_reporting.pdf.

5) Employer Resource for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

The Employer Assistance and Resource Network (EARN) has published resources for employers on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). It provides an overview of the law as well as links to information on the WIOA pages of the Department of Labor and the Department of Education websites. Visit EARN’s WIOA webpage for additional information and links at http://www.askearn.org/refdesk/Disability_Laws/WIOA.

6) Supported Employment Works for People with Mental Illness

The Bazelon Center’s new report, Getting to Work: Promoting Employment of People with Mental Illness, describes victories that have occurred for states providing supported employment services. The report offers recommendations to help states expand the availability of supported employment services for people with mental illnesses. To view or download a copy of the 22-page report, visit http://www.bazelon.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=TGW5AEIvqjs%3d&tabid=738.

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Tuesday, September 2, 2014

[Mspe] MSPE Live.WORK.Achieve Listserv - September 2014

Live.WORK.Achieve

A Listserv for the Mississippi Partnerships for Employment

for Youth and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Including Intellectual Disabilities Project

September 2014

Inside this edition:

1) Free Webinar: Linking Services and Supports – September 10 – 10 a.m. CT

2) New Self-ID, Inclusive Culture Webinars

3) EARN Releases Report on Opening the Doors of Small Business to Employees with Disabilities

4) National Report on Employment Services and Outcomes Now Available

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1) Free Webinar: Linking Services and Supports – September 10 – 10 a.m. CT

The Mississippi Partnerships for Employment project presents Linking Services and Supports: The Real Story of How to Navigate Local, State and National Resources for the Teacher, Case Manager, Job Developer and Vocational Rehabilitation Staff on Wednesday, September 10, from 10 to 11 a.m. Central Time. This free webinar, led by Richard Louis Rosenberg, PhD, will be interactive and will share the stories of assisting youth with disabilities and their families. The webinar will feature the power of working and linking with appropriate resources in the community, the use of person-centered planning and the link with adult services and collaborative organizations and services. One CRC credit hour has been requested for the webinar. For more information or to register, visit www.mspeidd.org or contact Dr. Jerry Alliston at 1.888.671.0051 or jerry.alliston@usm.edu.

2) New Self-ID, Inclusive Culture Webinars

Registration is now open for two new EARN webinars in September on strategies for promoting self-identification and developing inclusive workplaces:

Creating an Inclusive Culture: Increasing Self-Identification, Sept. 18 from 12-1 p.m. CT

Learn about emerging practices from private-sector companies for encouraging people with disabilities to self-identify; get tips and tools for hiring managers; and learn strategies for fostering connections with disability organizations.

Do Ask, Do Tell: Creating a Disability-Inclusive Workplace, Encouraging Employees with Disabilities to Self-Identify, Sept. 22 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. CT

Learn how employers can build an inclusive workplace where employees feel safe disclosing that they have a disability, while also meeting the new federal requirements for government contractors.

There is no cost for registering. HRCI credits will be available to participants. For more information and employer resources, visit www.AskEARN.org.

4) EARN Releases Report on Opening the Doors of Small Business to Employees with Disabilities

The Employer Assistance and Resource Network (EARN) has released a report by The Conference Board’s Peter Linkow titled “Opening the Doors of Small Business to Employees with Disabilities: Critical Concerns and Strategies for Success,” which addresses the concerns that small business leaders have voiced about employing people with disabilities. The report explores extensive research demonstrating that hiring people with disabilities can improve an organization’s productivity, work quality, and more at little or no additional cost, while improving the workplace for all employees. For a copy of the report, visit http://askearn.org/docs/SmallBusiness-OpeningDoors.pdf.

5) National/State Report on Employment Services and Outcomes Now Available

This Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) annual publication provides national and state-level employment statistics spanning more than a 20-year period. Its sources are several data sets that address the status of employment and economic self-sufficiency for Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. To view the report, visit http://book.statedata.info/13/2013_web_F.pdf.

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MSPE Live.WORK.Acheive mailing list

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

[Mspe] MSPE Live.WORK.Achieve Listserv - August 2014

Live.WORK.Achieve

A Listserv for the Mississippi Partnerships for Employment

for Youth and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Including Intellectual Disabilities Project

August 2014

Inside this edition:

1) Take Your Legislator to Work Day Campaign

2) Article on Walgreens’ Employment Goals for People with Disabilities

3) Rethinking College

4) Call for Nominations: Promising Business Relations Practices

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1) Take Your Legislator to Work Day Campaign

The National Association of People Supporting Employmentfirst (APSE) and APSE state chapters will be conducting a state-led Take Your Legislator to Work Day campaign in October as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The campaign will raise awareness about the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities and the belief that employment and careers should be the expected and preferred outcomes of all publicly funded services for individuals with disabilities—Employment First. Essentially, legislators should see "real jobs with real wages." APSE is encouraging participants to 1) provide a 30-45 minute tour of their workplace highlighting where employees work and the job duties they perform, 2) introduce legislators to employees’ co-workers and employer, and 3) discuss their experience working in a job in the community. APSE has a toolkit, a list of frequently asked questions and a fact sheet as resources on their website. For more information, visit http://www.apse.org/policy-advocacy/take-legislator-work-day/. If you are interested in having this activity in Mississippi, please contact Dr. Jerry Alliston at jerry.alliston@usm.edu.

2) Article on Walgreens’ Employment Goals for People with Disabilities

“We haven’t found a disability we can’t employ,” said Randy Lewis, retired Walgreen’s senior vice president. Having a son with autism motivated Lewis to see how he could make businesses more inclusive and diverse. In this HR magazine article, Lewis discusses how Walgreens opened “mission-critical” positions and set workforce target goals for the hiring of people with disabilities. To read the article, visit http://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/hr/features/1145395/randy-lewis-havent-disability-employ?sthash.yrJuyO9J.mjjo.

3) Rethinking College

Rethinking College is a 25-minute film produced by Think College that explores the growing movement to include students with intellectual disabilities in higher education. The film illustrates through the eyes of parents, educators, advocates, policy leaders and, most importantly, students how colleges and universities can provide a setting for all students to grow, learn and build toward better futures. To learn more about the Think College and to view the film, go to http://www.thinkcollege.net/rethinking-college.

4) Call for Nominations: Promising Business Relations Practices

The Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at the University of Massachusetts in Boston is conducting research on business relations and employment for people with disabilities served by state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies. ICI is looking for emerging or innovative practices that meet the needs of businesses and promote the employment of people with disabilities. Nominations of business relations practices used by VR agencies and other employment programs are currently being accepted. The nominated practices are not required to be formally established or evidence-based. For more information or for the form to nominate an organization, visit http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1709029/Nomination.

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Wednesday, July 30, 2014

[Mspe] MSPE Live.WORK.Achieve Listserv - Special Edition - Statewide Community Forums

Live.WORK.Achieve

A Listserv for the Mississippi Partnerships for Employment

for Youth and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Including Intellectual Disabilities Project

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.

Special Edition – July 30, 2014

Statewide Community Forums

The Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities, Disability Rights Mississippi and The University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies, Mississippi’s Developmental Disabilities Network partners, will host their annual statewide community forums in August. These community forums allow Mississippi’s DD Network partners an opportunity for hearing concerns and issues to help improve services for individuals with disabilities and their families. Each meeting will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The free town hall type meetings will be held on the following dates in Southaven, Hattiesburg and Philadelphia at these locations:

· August 7 – Southaven, First Regional Library, 8554 Northwest Drive

· August 14 – Hattiesburg, Hattiesburg Train Depot, 308 Newman Street

· August 19 – Philadelphia, Neshoba County Library, 230 Beacon Street

For more information, transportation assistance or an accommodation request, call 1.800.772.4057.

Sign language interpreters will be present at each event.

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MSPE Live.WORK.Acheive mailing list

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

[Mspe] MSPE Live.WORK.Achieve Listserv - July 2014

Live.WORK.Achieve

A Listserv for the Mississippi Partnerships for Employment

for Youth and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Including Intellectual Disabilities Project

July 2014

Inside this edition:

1) Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Seeks Public Input on Regulations – July 14

2) Workforce Investment Act Youth Trainings

3) What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

4) Got Transition’s Updated Website

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1) Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Seeks Public Input on Regulations – July 14

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission seeks public input on regulations requiring federal agencies to be ‘model employers’ of individuals with disabilities. The public is invited to provide input on potential revisions to the regulations implementing Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a law that governs employment of individuals with disabilities by the federal government. Responses to this Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking must be submitted by 5 p.m. EDT on Monday, July 14, 2014. For more information, visit https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/05/15/2014-11233/the-federal-sectors-obligation-to-be-a-model-employer-of-individuals-with-disabilities.

2) Workforce Investment Act Youth Trainings

The Division of Youth Services of the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration presents the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Flash Training Series. These trainings are brief lessons (five minutes or less) focused on specific WIA Youth program topics. They are designed to provide information and direct those working with youth to tools and resources to help them best serve program participants. Topics in the series include the 10 WIA youth program elements, exit policy, finding youth program resources, waivers and youth councils. To view the videos, visit https://www.workforce3one.org/view/5001414856204559058/info.

3) What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

This 24-page document offers young people guidance on career exploration including steps to take, questions to consider, how to match jobs to personal interestes and abilities, ways to research careers and resources for gathering additional information. What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up? is produced by the Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures at Portland State University. To download a printable copy of the guide, visit http://pathwaysrtc.pdx.edu/pdf/pb-What-Do-You-Want-To-Be.pdf.

4) Got Transition’s Updated Website

Got Transition is pleased to announce the release of the Six Core Elements of Health Care Transition (Version 2.0), which define the basic components of transition support and are based on the 2011 Clinical Report on Health Care Transition, developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Physicians. Three transition tool packages are now available for 1) practices serving youth transitioning out of pediatric care, 2) practices serving youth remaining with the same provider but needing to transition to adult-focused care, and 3) practices accepting new young adults into adult care. Each package, available in English and Spanish, includes sample tools, feedback surveys, and measurement tools that are customizable and available for download. Got Transition is also launching its redesigned website with the latest transition information for health professionals, youth/young adults and families and researchers and policymakers. For more information, visit http://www.gottransition.org/.

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

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