[LGT-National]

504 Sit In, 30 Years Ago

Sit-ins were held in Washington D.C., Eugene, Oregon, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. On April 5th, a group of disabled people took over the San Francisco offices of the Health, Education, and Welfare Department to protest Secretary Joseph Califano's refusal to sign meaningful regulations for Section 504. No one expected to live there for almost a month, but they did. The action became the longest sit-in of a federal building to date. The historic demonstrations were successful and the 504 regulations were finally signed.

For more details about the 504 demonstration, visit the 504 20th Anniversary page on DREDF¹s website: http://www.dredf.org/504site/504home.html
 

REFERENCE POINTS:  is an activity of TATRA, a project of PACER Center
New Study on What Workers in Sheltered Workshops Prefer

In a recent article published in the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, authors Migliore, Mank, Grossi and Rogan note that despite national and state policies promoting integrated employment, 76% of adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities are served in facility-based programs. Their article focuses on whether or not this gap between policy and practice is in part due to the lack of interest of adults with intellectual disabilities and their families for employment outside facility-based programs. The authors surveyed 210 adults with intellectual disabilities in 19 sheltered workshops, their respective families or caregivers, and staff members in these workshops. Results show that 74% of adults with intellectual disabilities, 67% of families, and 66% of staff felt those they serve would prefer employment outside workshops, or at least consider it as an option. The majority believed that adults with intellectual disabilities can perform outside workshops if support is made available. The study highlighted the fact that the preference for employment outside of workshops is not associated with the severity of the disability. Source: Migliore, A., Mank, D., Grossi, T., and Rogan, P. (2007). Integrated employment or sheltered workshops: Preferences of adults with intellectual disabilities, their families, and staff. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation Vol. 26, No. 1, pp. 5-19.

From: Training Resource Network Disability Update

Building Supports: Tapping the Power of Social Connections

The Sixth Annual New Jersey - Self Directed Supports Gathering
On Saturday, May 12, the 2007 Self Directed Supports Conference will be held at the Woodbridge Hilton.  The focus is on developing social capital, i.e., building connections and relationships in communities through neighborhoods, organizations, jobs and volunteering, and congregations. Cathy Ficker Terrill and her daughter Beth will be the keynoters.  The conference will be very interactive, with opportunities for sharing and celebrating successful connections and times for brainstorming ideas and strategies.

The conference is for everyone...self advocates, families, support staff, professional staff, community members. The brochure is on The Boggs Center website at http://rwjms.umdnj.edu/boggscenter/conferences/index.htm

Early Bird Registration is a great deal...$10 by April 13. After April 13, still a deal at $25.

Bill Gaventa, M.Div., Associate Professor Director, Community and Congregational Supports, The Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, P.O. Box 2688, 335 George Street, New Brunswick, N.J. 08903

Center for Personal Assistance Services Bulletin

A PDF version of this newsletter can be found at http://www.pascenter.org/newsletter/CenterforPASBulletinApr07.pdf

hcbs.org > Clearinghouse CLIPS: April 4, 2007

2007 CMS New Freedom Initiative Conference: Access to Community Living: Promoting Independence and Choice

Topic(s): Aging Issues, Children and Family Services, Consumer Direction, Deficit Reduction Act, Developmental/Psychiatric Disabilities, Employment, Financing HCBS, Housing, Long-Term Care, Mental Health, Money Follows the Person, Physical Disabilities, Quality, Resource Center, Single Point of Entry/No Wrong Door, State/Agency Information, Transition/Diversion from Institutions, Waiver
Source: CMS
More Info: http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/1869
 

Demonstration to Maintain Independence and Employment: 2006 Solicitation

Summary: CMS solicited proposals for this demonstration, created by section 204 of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. It allows states to provide benefits, equivalent to those provided by Medicaid, to the categorically needy, to workers who have physical or mental impairments that, without medical assistance, will likely result in disability. The Demonstration period runs July 2006-June 2009. This prior solicitation acts as a resource for terms, conditions and guidance.

Topic(s): Developmental/Psychiatric Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, Workforce
Source: CMS
More Info: http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/1876

Information Bulletins for ICF-MR Restructuring for Guardians of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Currently Living in an Intermediate Care Facility or Nursing Home

Summary: These six bulletins provide guardians with answers to frequently asked questions about changes to law that created the ICF Restructuring initiative requiring that community plans be developed for residents of ICF-MRs and that these placements be reviewed by courts annually to determine the most integrated, least restrictive setting for people with developmental disabilities.

Topic(s): Developmental/Psychiatric Disabilities
More Info: http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/1870

Measuring Quality Using Experience Surveys & Results

Summary: The following two reports are the result of face-to-face and mailing surveys to evaluate user experiences. The face-to-face surveys were conducted with people who are 18 years of age and older who receive Medicaid waiver or Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation (ICF/MR) Program Services. The Children/Family Surveys were mailed to families of children under 18 years of age who received services in programs operated by the Department in 2005.

Topic(s): Aging Issues, Children and Family Services, Developmental/Psychiatric Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, Quality
Source: Grantee produced, Texas
More Info: http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/1849

Medicaid Infrastructure Grant Announcement 2007

Summary: CMS was soliciting proposals to develop the infrastructure to support competitive employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Funding is intended to facilitate enhancements to state Medicaid programs and services, to promote linkages between Medicaid and other employment-related service agencies, and to develop a comprehensive system of employment supports. The demonstration period runs Jan–Dec 2007. This prior solicitation acts as a resource for terms, conditions and guidance.

Topic(s): Developmental/Psychiatric Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, Workforce
Source: CMS
More Info: http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/1877

Quality Assurance and Improvement: DataMart Software Requirement Specifications and Reports

Summary: The goal of the QAI Datamart is to develop a consumer-based reporting and data analysis database using the Home and Community-Based Services Quality Framework. The QAI DataMart will support data analysis and decision support for quality assurance and improvement. The purpose of this Software Requirements Specification (SRS) is to document the customer’s requirements for the applications being developed or enhanced. The reports and queries available from the DataMart are also included.

Topic(s): Aging Issues, Consumer Direction, Developmental/Psychiatric Disabilities, Quality
Source: Grantee produced, Texas
More Info: http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/1848

[Caregiving] publication on consumer-directed care

You Call the Tune: The Promise and Challenge of Consumer-Directed Care, St. Luke's Health Initiatives (SLHI), December 2006, 32 pp., http://www.slhi.org/publications/policy_primers/pdfs/pp-2006-11.pdf.
 

Written by Jill Rissi, this policy primer focuses on consumer-directed care for people with physical and mental disabilities. Although the primer is targeted to an Arizona readership, people in other states should find much of the content useful.
 

ADAPT Youth Summit Applications due in ONE WEEK

The ADAPT Youth Summit will be held June 29th to July 3rd in Chicago.  It's a call to action for young people with disabilities! Applications are due April 13th, a week from today.

These links take you  to the brochure that will tell you more about the Summit (one is the inside of the brochure, the other the outside):

http://www.squirrelliberationfront.com/ADAPTyouth/brochure/office-printer/bw/outside.pdf

Below is an email copy of the application for the youth summit.  If you would like a formatted copy of the application please email Rahnee rahneek@hotmail.com or call her at (312) 663-1292

Final regulations under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and the Individuals

The final regulations under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) providing additional flexibility to states to more appropriately measure the achievement of certain students with disabilities, otherwise known as the 2% regulation, was released today.  The regulations have now been posted on the U.S. Department of Education's website.  It can be accessed at http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2007/04/04042007.html

Secretary Spellings Announces New Regulations to More Accurately Assess Students With Disabilities Allows states to count 2.0 percent of proficient and advanced scores on alternate assessment when measuring adequate yearly progress.

These regulations allow states to develop modified academic achievement standards that are challenging for eligible students and measure a student's mastery of grade-level content, but are less difficult than grade-level achievement standards. The new regulations are part of an ongoing effort to ensure that all students, including those with disabilities, fully participate in a state's accountability system and are assessed in an appropriate and accurate manner.

[nectac-enotes]

7th National Early Childhood Inclusion Institute- registration now open

Registration is now open for the 7th National Early Childhood Inclusion Institute, July 31 through August 2, 2007, in Chapel Hill, NC. Please see the conference Web site for details. http://www.nectac.org/~meetings/InclusionMtg2007/splash.html
 

AAIDD F.Y.I.--April 2007 - Visit www.aaidd.org/FYI/ to access current and past issues of this monthly newsletter.

THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION ON INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (AAIDD-FORMERLY AAMR) ANNOUNCES THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY, AND RENAMES "MENTAL RETARDATION" IN ITS UPCOMING CLASSIFICATION AND TERMINOLOGY MANUAL

The group of AAIDD experts responsible for defining the condition of intellectual disability to the world now explains the move away from the word "mental retardation" to the term intellectual disability in an article published in the April issue of the journal, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. "At the heart of this shift is the understanding that this term covers the same population of individuals who were diagnosed previously with mental retardation in number, kind, level, type, and duration of the disability and the need of people with this disability for individualized services and supports," explain Robert Schalock et al. in "The Renaming of Mental Retardation: Understanding the Change to the Term Intellectual Disability." The article cites the new definition for intellectual disability and the assumptions on which it is based, although the official 11th edition of the AAIDD definition Manual is expected to be published in the year 2009.

To learn more about the current AAIDD definition Manual titled, Mental Retardation: Definition, Classification and Systems of Support (10th edition) click here. To learn more about a User’s Guide on how to implement the AAIDD definition system, click here. Questions or comments? Email books@aaidd.org

WASHINGTON, LOUISIANA, AND GEORGIA TO DISCUSS THEIR EXPERIENCES IMPLEMENTING THE SUPPORTS INTENSITY SCALE PLANNING TOOL STATE-WIDE AT THE AAIDD ANNUAL MEETING IN ATLANTA IN MAY 2007

A special theme session titled, "Implementing the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) in Three States" will be held on Wednesday, May 23 from 2:45-4:15 pm at the Sheraton hotel in Atlanta, Georgia, as a part of the Annual Meeting of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), publisher of SIS. This session will feature representatives from Washington, Louisiana, and Georgia discussing their unique experiences implementing SIS with citizens with intellectual disabilities.

The presentations include (1) "Moving the Money: Individual Development Accounts for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities" by Director of the Georgia Office of Developmental Disabilities, Stephen Hall; (2) "Developing a Statewide System for Individualized Planning and Resource Allocation Using the Support Intensity Scale"by James LeVelle and Scott Meche from Louisiana; and (3) "Implementing Standardized Assessment in Washington State"by Linda Rolfe, John Stern, and Lisa Weber from the state of Washington. Michael Chapman, senior SIS AAIDD trainer will moderate this session.

Apart from this presentation, other sessions are being planned on SIS. For details, stay tuned to the next issue of the SIS Vantage newsletter. To sign up for the SIS newsletter, click here. To learn more about the AAIDD Annual Meeting, download a preliminary program at http://www.aaidd.org/Events/Atlanta/pdf/PrelProg.pdf. One day registrations are accepted. Questions? Email books@aaidd.org

AUTISM IN THE NEWS: A NEW BILL COULD INTRODUCE UP TO $50 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING IN 2008 AND THE FIRST EVER ONLINE REGISTRY ON AUTISM LAUNCHED BY THE KENNEDY KRIEGER INSTITUTE

On March 20, 2007, Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Wayne Allard (R-CO) introduced S. 934, the "Expanding the Promise for Individuals with Autism Act of 2007," a legislation that provides approximately $83 million in Fiscal Year 2008. If enacted, the act would improve access to comprehensive treatments, interventions, and services for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families. To learn more, visit http://www.aucd.org/template/news.cfm?news_id=933&id=16. Also, the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore launched the Interactive Autism Network at http://www.IANproject.org, a comprehensive web portal that contains a variety of research and practical information links for parents whose children have been diagnosed with autism. Click here to read a press release on the launch of IAN.

EDUCATE YOURSELF ON CRITICAL LEGISLATIVE ISSUES FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES WITH FACT SHEETS PUBLISHED BY THE ARC OF THE UNITED STATES FOLLOWING THE 2007 DISABILITY POLICY SEMINAR HELD IN WASHINGTON, DC

More than 600 people gathered at the 2007 Disability Policy Seminar held in Washington in March 2007 to learn how to advocate for critical issues facing the developmental disability community. Now presentations from the seminar as well as fact sheets on key issues are available for download at http://www.thearc.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?&pid=1404&srcid=209. The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is a co-sponsor of the Disability Policy Seminar.

THE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONSORTIUM ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR ITS LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM IN JULY 2007

The National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities is now accepting applications for a select twenty executives from the field of developmental disability to be trained at the 2007 Summer Leadership Institute at the University of Delaware. The Consortium was set up in response to significant concern about training and support for the next generation of leaders in developmental disabilities, and the program faculty consists of well-known executives in the disability field. Deadline for applications is April 30, 2007. To learn more, visit http://www.nlcdd.org/pdfs/nlcdd-brochure.pdf.

To read what Steve Eidelman, faculty member of the Leadership Consortium and Professor at University of Delaware’s College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy had to say about leadership development in a past interview with AAIDD F.Y.I., (Volume 7, No. 1, January 2007) visit http://www.aaidd.org/FYI/interview_Eidelman.shtml

National Family Caregiving Awards Program - MetLife Foundation

http://www.caregiving.org/news/

Deadline for Submissions: May 15, 2007
Up to 6 awards of $25,000

The National Alliance for Caregiving and MetLife Foundation are now accepting applications for the 2007 National Family Caregiving Awards Program. The awards recognize community agencies and other organizations that support family caregivers as a significant part of their mission. Two awards are given in each of three categories: caregiver education, technology, and caregiver support. The awards will be presented at a luncheon ceremony on July 31, 2007 at the N4A 32nd Annual Conference and Trade Show in San Francisco, California.

National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)

Sponsors Needed for Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act!!!
   
ACTION ALERT
Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2007 has been introduced, Sponsors Needed!

Last month NCIL started collecting stories from across the country in support of Senator Harkin's Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2007. Senator Harkin was the chief sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act and now he has introduced break-though legislation to increase the availability of accessible healthcare equipment. The bill also creates a national wellness grant program to support the prevention of secondary conditions and training requirements to increase competency and clinical skills for healthcare providers. NCIL has promised Senator Harkin support for this legislation, S.1050. 

NOW is the time to secure co-sponsors in the Senate and promote a companion bill in the House of Representatives!

Please call your elected members of Congress and tell them your stories about the lack of accessible medical diagnostic equipment and ask them to sign onto the Senate Bill or support a companion bill in the House of Representatives.

The Senate bill has been referred to the Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee. We need the support of all Senators, particularly those on the HELP committee to get this legislation passed, and to improve health and wellness opportunities for people with disabilities.

If you have further questions or need more information, please contact Elizabeth Leef, Health Care Policy Analyst at 1710 Rhode Island Ave, NW 5th Floor Washington, DC 20036 (202) 207-0334, or e-mail Elizabeth@ncil.org.

For examples, see http://ilru.virtualhosts.com/cgi-bin/forum/board_show.pl?bid=36

Special education loan forgiveness information at the Kennedy Foundation

http://www.jpkf.org/Templates/LoanForgiveness.html

RFP Bulletin (April 6, 2007)

Horses & Humans Research Foundation Seeks Equine Assisted Activities/Therapies Research Proposals

Deadline: June 30, 2007
 
The Horses and Humans Research Foundation ( http://horsesandhumans.org/) is a nonprofit organization that seeks to facilitate universal understanding and appreciation of the significant influence of horses on humans. The foundation's primary goal is to support, promote, and fund scientific research that explores the claimed yet unsubstantiated benefits of equine assisted activities, leading to the discovery of the most effective methods and techniques for conducting thousands of existing and future programs. A secondary goal is to educate the public on research findings so that equine-assisted activities become more accessible to those in need.

The foundation invites proposals to investigate the therapeutic effects of horses on humans. The foundation's broad research agenda includes basic research as well as clinical studies that will ultimately impact physical and mental health and the quality of life for people with disabilities who are involved with equine-assisted activities/therapies.

Preference will be given to investigators with solid credentials and research experience who are associated with institutions located in the United States or Canada. Grants are generally awarded for a maximum of $50,000 per year each.

Interested researchers may contact the foundation for information on therapeutic riding programs to approach for possible collaborations.

Program guidelines and materials for applicants are available at the Horses and Humans Research Foundation Web site.

RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10006830/horsesandhumans

For additional RFPs in Disability, visit: http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_disabled.jhtml   

Brookdale Foundation Group Issues RFP for Start-Up Dementia Day Programs

Deadline: July 6, 2007

The Brookdale Foundation Group ( http://brookdalefoundation.org/) has issued a Request For Proposals for start-up social model group respite programs for people with Alzheimer's disease and their family caregivers.

In November 2007 the foundation will award up to fifteen seed grants for the development of dementia-specific group respite programs and up to five seed grants for the development of specialized programs for people with early memory loss. The seed grants are $7,500 each for the first year, with an opportunity for a second year grant of $3,000.

Funds may be requested by private nonprofit 501(c)(3) or public agencies to develop a new dementia-specific social model program. Funds may not be used to support or expand the hours, days, or service capacity of existing social, health, or medical model programs. Sponsoring organization must provide a 100 percent match of hard dollars and/or substantive in-kind support.

To obtain the 2007 RFP and guidelines, visit the Brookdale Web site.

RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10006834/brookdalefoundation
For additional RFPs in Health, visit: http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_health.jhtml   

Social Science Research Council Offers Collaborative Grants in Media and Communications

Deadline: April 22, 2007 (Letters of Inquiry)

The Social Science Research Council ( http://www.ssrc.org/) is accepting applications for large grants through its Collaborative Grants program for academic-advocacy partnerships in media and communications.

The program provides one-year grants of up to $30,000 each for support of academic-advocacy research collaborations designed to change media/telecommunications infrastructure, practices, or policies. Projects must involve substantive collaboration between a researcher based at a university, college, or other academically oriented research institution, and a U.S.-based nonprofit advocacy, organizing, or community group working on media and/or telecommunications issues.

The program also offers small grants of up to $7,500 for short-term academic research in support of advocacy and activism in media and communications. Applications are accepted approximately every four months. For application procedures, deadlines, and other details, see the Small Grants section on the SSRC Web site.

Complete program information and application procedures are available at the SSRC Web site.

RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10006835/ssrc

For additional RFPs in Journalism/Media, visit: http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_journalism.jhtml

AT&T Excelerator Program Offers Technology Grants for Nonprofit Organizations

Deadline: May 4, 2007

The 2007 AT&T Excelerator grant program will provide a total of $9 million in competitive technology grants to help local nonprofit organizations integrate technology into their operations and community outreach.

For 2007, the AT&T Excelerator grant program will be open to nonprofit organizations located in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.

AT&T Excelerator grants are designed to help nonprofit organizations improve their operations and build stronger communities through Internet access, data networking, online outreach, staff technology capacity, and pooled technology resources.

To qualify for an AT&T Excelerator grant, an organization must emphasize education, community development, health and human services, or arts and culture. Grant funds may be used for data communications services, hardware, software, technology training, personnel, and application development. Additionally, no fewer than 50 percent of project grant funds must be used to target underserved populations, including racial and ethnic groups, low-income populations, seniors, and/or disabled persons.

The 2007 AT&T Excelerator grant program will award individual one-year grants ranging from $2,500 to $25,000 each. Collaborations by two or more organizations will be considered for one-year grants of up to $50,000.

Interested organizations can apply for a grant by downloading a copy of the 2007 Request for Proposals from the AT&T Web site.

RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10006838/att

For additional RFPs in Science/Technology, visit: http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_science_technology.jhtml
 

Grants & Funding in Employment Update:  $3.6 Million in Funding for Grassroots Organizations

The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration has announced two competitions for grants totaling $3.6 million for faith-based and community organizations to help members of hard-to-serve populations prepare for and succeed in employment. Application deadline is May 8, 2007. This information has recently been updated, and is now available - http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=5062

NEW ITEMS posted on The HEATH Resource Center Web

The HEATH Resource Center invites you to visit our web site: www.heath.gwu.edu  

Two of our most frequently requested items: Creating Options and Summer Pre-college Programs have been updated and are now posted on our home page!

2007 Creating Options: Financial Aid Information
HEATH's annual revision of this popular resource guide is now available. The 2007 edition contains completely updated and revised information to help individuals with disabilities to seek and obtain financial assistance for postsecondary education. The guide describes federal financial aid programs, state vocational rehabilitation services, and regional and local sources. A listing of nationally awarded grants and a pre-college checklist to organize the search for funds complete the guide.  http://www.heath.gwu.edu/PDFs/creating_options_2007.pdf 

Summer Pre-College Programs for 2007
Our updated and expanded listing of campus-based summer preparatory programs for students with disabilities contains sessions dates, tuition and fee information, program and curricula details, contact names, and links to program and institution Web sites.  http://www.heath.gwu.edu/PDFs/2007_precollege_summer_programs.pdf 

You are also invited to visit our updated "About Us" page: http://www.heath.gwu.edu/aboutus.htm

We look forward to the launch of our new and improved HEATH Resource Center web site. Stay tune for that announcement coming shortly!

As always, we thank you for your continued support and interest in The HEATH Resource Center.

Wishing you all the best,
Donna Martinez, Director, The George Washington University, Graduate School of Education and Human Development, The HEATH Resource Center, 2134 G Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20052-0001, Voice: 202-973 0904, Email: askheath@gwu.edu, www.HEATH.gwu.edu
 

One-Stop Toolkit Resources of the Week Technical Assistance Project

Webinar:  Asset Building for Persons with Disabilities - Workforce³One

AND Real Economic Impact Tour

http://www.realeconomicimpact.org/

April 12, 2007-2:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (90 minutes)

Disability Navigators have made it a priority to pass on essential information about work incentives to people who receive SSI and/or SSDI. Along with providing this valuable information, many also educate people about the asset limits associated with SSI, Medicaid, and other programs. While all of this information is imperative for people to understand when considering and entering into employment, there is also a significant need to provide more financial education to people with disabilities, including tax counseling and asset-building tools and resources.  People with disabilities need to know more about how to accumulate assets, including having greater access to financial institutions, receiving tax counseling on the Earned Income Tax Credit, and learning about asset-building tools and resources, such as Individual Development Accounts and micro-enterprise.  To learn more about how to help increase financial literacy and knowledge on tax credits and asset development strategies for people with disabilities, participate in this upcoming Workforce³One webinar that will describe how the workforce investment system and the U.S. Department of Labor is working with local coalitions that link Earned Income Tax Credit outreach, free tax preparation, and asset building opportunities for persons with disabilities.  The webinar will also provide an introduction to the 2007 Real Economic Impact Tour that is a national public/private initiative bringing tax and financial education and services to working Americans with disabilities in 54 cities.  Don't miss the opportunity to learn if the Tour is in your city and how you can get involved.

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!  To register, access the following URL: http://www.workforce3one.org/public/skillbuilding/webinar_info.cfm?id=183

Note, you must be logged in to sign-up for a Webinar.  You can sign up by accessing the website and scrolling to the link at the bottom of the page that reads:  Don't have a login? Register now!

If you are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or have speech disabilities and captioning would facilitate your participation in this Webinar, access the following URL: http://www.workforce3one.org/public/skillbuilding/relay_service.cfm.

Employers Gain Access to Database of 2,000 Job Candidates with Disabilities

DOL Office of Disability Employment Policy News Release-March 29, 2007

http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20070472.htm

The U.S. Department of Labor has made available to employers nationwide a free database of approximately 2,000 new job candidates with disabilities seeking work in a wide variety of fields. For the first time, federal employers now can tap into this ongoing recruitment resource online at WRP.gov , and private sector and other government employers can request unlimited searches by calling (866) 327-6669.

The Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities, co-sponsored by the Labor Department's Office of Disability Employment Policy and the U.S. Department of Defense, compiled the database by sending recruiters to more than 250 college campuses to interview eligible undergraduate and post-graduate students. Many of the students are seeking summer internship opportunities, while others have graduated and are looking for permanent employment.

In using the database, an employer sets the criteria for each candidate search by specifying location, degree program, position type and length of appointment. Job seekers represent many high-demand fields of study, including accounting, administration, business, communications, computers, criminal justice, education, engineering, human resources/equal employment opportunity, health care, law, the social sciences and the sciences.

Hiring officials at federal agencies can access the Workforce Recruitment Program database and conduct independent searches on the Internet by obtaining a password at WRP.gov. Employers in the private sector, and state and local government agencies, should contact the Labor Department's Employer Assistance and Recruiting Network at (866) 327-6669 to access the database.

The Workforce Recruitment Program has assisted employers in identifying job candidates with disabilities who meet their recruitment needs since 1995.

Center for Disability and Special Needs Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness for Developmental Disabilities

Until Next week

The Arc of the United States, 1010 Wayne Avenue, Ste. 650, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 3015653842, Fax: 3015653843, Email: mmwdc@info.thearc.org, Web: www.thearc.org

Disclaimer: MMWDC publishes information about issues and events that we believe to be important and likely to be of interest to advocates and others interested in inclusion of persons with disabilities in all parts of society.  However, MMWDC and The Arc of the United States do not necessarily endorse all events, sponsoring organizations and reports which appear.