| Volume 07 | Issue 44 | November 5, 2007 |
Welcome to Monday Morning in Washington, D.C., published weekly by The Arc of the United States. We will bring to you news of interest to self advocates and their families, volunteers, professionals, and supporters of the disability movement. Please send any comments to mmwdc@thearc.org. You are welcome to reproduce and distribute items from Monday Morning in Washington, D.C., but please credit Monday Morning in Washington, D.C. (The Arc of the United States, 2007).
The Arc of the United States advocates for the rights and full participation of all children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Together with our network of members and affiliated chapters, we improve systems of supports and services; connect families; inspire communities; and influence public policy.
[NOTE: Having trouble reading this newsletter? Read it online.] [Past Issues]
NEW REPORT FROM UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY PORTRAYS A TROUBLING SNAPSHOT OF THE
STATUS OF DISABILITY IN AMERICA
United Cerebral Palsy has released State of Disability in America, an evaluation of the disability experience in America. The 65-page document examines existing research on the overall state of affairs for individuals with disabilities in America in the areas of disability rights, healthcare, education, employment, housing, and organizing for change. While tremendous strides have been made, especially with the Americans with Disabilities Act, things are still not right, the report says. By and large, people with disabilities are more likely to live in poverty and be dependent on government services. They are less likely to have positive educational opportunities and outcomes, be employed, or own a home. Read State of Disability in America at http://www.ucp.org/uploads/StateofDisability.pdf.
nectac eNotes - November 2, 2007
A News Service from The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center - http://www.nectac.org/enotes/enotes.asp
The HEATH Resource Center
AHEAD Scholarships Available Now for Students with Disabilities and Members
http://www.heath.gwu.edu/node/459
Family Voices of North Dakota e-News
New Guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics
October 8, 2007, the National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGA) announced the following new guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics Maltreatment of children with disabilities - http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?view_id=1&doc_id=11059 and Evaluation of suspected child physical abuse - http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?view_id=1&doc_id=11057
ISSUE BRIEF EXAMINES EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN RECEIVE MANDATED ORAL HEALTH SERVICES
[Healthychild]
Reading Across the Nation: A Chartbook
Reading Across the Nation: A Chartbook is a new resource for professionals and policymakers presenting detailed state information on rates of reading to young children. This free resource can be downloaded from www.healthychild.ucla.edu State pages can be downloaded individually and reproduced without charge. The chartbook has been prepared for Reach Out and Read National Center by UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities.
U.S. Department of Education (DOEd) Highlights Promising Practices for Basic Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies Helping Transition Age Youth
http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/rehab/promising-practices/transition-age/ri-2007-1.html The U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) monitored 23 state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies funded under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. These agencies, their stakeholders, and RSA identified promising practices that provide useful samples of programs and services that promote youth with disabilities transitioning from school to employment. One state agency recognized is the Rhode Island Office of Rehabilitation Services which is a partner in the Department of Labor’s systems change grant entitled Shared Youth Vision Federal Collaborative Partnership. The purpose of the Shared Youth Vision grant is to create state teams that will undertake strategic planning activities to develop a system that will improve services to youths by leveraging resources, aligning policy, and other activities.
The Sarah Jane Brain Foundation launched the first phase of The Sarah Jane Brain Project through the web portal www.TheBrainProject.org at a press conference in New York City today. The site uses the principles of Open Source with a person's medical records for the first time in history and aims to bring parents and professionals dealing with children suffering from Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury (PTBI) together in an open and free forum. The first phase displays Sarah Jane Donohue as the model for Open Source Medicine by freely and completely disseminating all of Sarah Jane's medical records and videos of therapy treatments. This first phase will recruit additional children suffering from PTBI from around the world to be part of the Project and recruit parents and professionals from around the world to be part of the different Advisory Boards being established. Sarah Jane Donohue is a! two-year old who was shaken by her baby nurse when she was only five days old and suffered a severe brain injury.
JAN E-News, Volume 5, Issue 3, Fourth Quarter 2007
The latest JAN E-News is now available at - http://www.jan.wvu.edu/enews/2007/Enews-V5-I3.htm
E-News topics include:
Training Resource Network Disability Update -
Visit TRN - http://www.trninc.com/ for resources and updates in the field.
About.com Posts New Page on Accommodating Employees with Disabilities
Popular web site about.com has posted a set of tips that focus on how to work and accommodate employees with disabilities and welcome them back to work. Pass this link along to the employers with whom you work:
http://humanresources.about.com/od/healthsafetyandwellness/qt/disabled_employ.htm
CVS to Promote Corporate Hiring of Workers with Disabilities
The US Department of Labor ’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and CVS Caremark have established a two-year nationwide alliance to promote the employment of people with disabilities.
The effort will include technical assistance, training and education, outreach and communication. CVS and ODEP will jointly distribute training materials on disability employment practices to the company’s human resources leaders, and will collaborate on technical-assistance resources for workplace accommodations. They also will jointly promote a national dialogue on disability employment issues. CVS Caremark employs about 190,000 people at its 6,200 retail and specialty pharmacies throughout the US.
http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20071653.htm
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Topics in this issue:
REFERENCE POINTS:
REFERENCE POINTS is administered by PACER Center http://www.PACER.org as a technical assistance activity of the TATRA Project. The TATRA Project is funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration.
To SUBSCRIBE to REFERENCE POINTS go to http://www.pacer.org/tatra/list/index.asp
To UNSUBSCRIBE, please go directly to http://www.pacer.org/tatra/list/maildel.asp
Readers are invited to send information about new resources on secondary education, transition and vocational rehabilitation topics to tatra@pacer.org.
Reference Points received initial support from the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition http://www.ncset.org/. Visit their web site for a wealth of information related to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities.
Note: There are no copyright restrictions on this document. However, please credit the source and support of federal funds when copying all or part of this material.
Conference and Workshop Updates Added to the PACER Website
REFERENCE POINTS Conference and workshop updates feature NEW additions to the listing of transition related national and regional conferences maintained on PACER Center's TATRA Project web site. To see our complete calendar of events, please visit us at http://www.pacer.org/tatra/calendar.asp.
National Service Opens Door Wider for People with Disabilities
The 50 million Americans who are living with disabilities will have an easier time learning about and participating in national service and volunteer programs thanks to new initiatives announced recently by the Corporation for National and Community Service.
The Corporation is the latest partner in DisabilityInfo.gov, a collaborative effort among 22 federal government agencies dedicated to making it the leading, one-stop federal source for disability-related information. The site provides information on benefits, civil rights, community life, education, employment, housing, health, technology and other subjects. The Corporation will be providing content about service and volunteering opportunities, grants, special initiatives, and training resources geared to including people with disabilities in service.
"We hope people with disabilities will come to DisabilityInfo.gov not just to receive services, but to find ways to serve," said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation. "We know that service connects people with disabilities to skills, networks, and career paths that can bring added value to their lives."
The Corporation has a longstanding commitment to bring more people with disabilities into its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, VISTA, NCCC, and Learn and Serve America programs.
It has committed over $50 million to inclusion of people with disabilities over the last 10 years, and supported more than 144 national and local organizations since 2001. Through the National Service Inclusion Project, it has provided training and technical assistance to over 11,000 participants at 300 regional and state events and developed over 88 training tools. For more information go to: http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/newsroom/releases_detail.asp?tbl_pr_id=834
Employment Resources
REPORT: EMPOWERMENT FOR AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES: BREAKING BARRIERS TO CAREERS AND FULL EMPLOYMENT
This report was released by the National Council on Disability; at 349-pages it is probably the most comprehensive coverage on this issue that has been produced in years. Key topic areas are covered thoroughly and include references to current "best practices" across the U.S. In addition, each topic is covered even more comprehensively in "Issue Briefs" that are included in the Appendices. The HTML version of the report can be found at http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2007/NCDEmployment_20071001.htm The PDF version can be found at http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2007/pdf/ncd94_Employment_20071001.pdf
From: OCTOBER 2007 edition of our Disability Network Newsletter
PARTNERS IN EMPLOYMENT
Partners in Employment is six hour self-study course is designed to help people with developmental disabilities find meaningful jobs and plan a career. Course participants will create a resume or portfolio of their strengths, skills, and interests; learn how to network and identify potential employers; prepare for an interview; and understand the hiring process. There are NO registration fees. http://www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/employment/index.html
THE ART OF DISCLOSING YOUR DISABILITY
Richard Pimentel, senior partner of Milt Wright & Associates, published a guide to disclosing a disability to an employer and requesting workplace accommodations. The guide, arranged in question and answer format, provides information on what individuals' rights are under the Americans with Disabilities Act, how to identify when to ask for a reasonable accommodation, and recommendations about when to disclose a disability to an employer. The guide can be accessed online at http://www.miltwright.com/articles/ArtOfDisclosingYourDisability.pdf.
DISCLOSURE DECISIONS GUIDE: TO GET THE JOB
Every individual with a disability must choose whether to disclose (share) his or her disability with an employer. Primary factors to consider include whether accommodations will be needed on the job or whether a disability is visible or hidden. Other aspects related to the employer and the company may also influence your decision. Follow this disclosure decision guide to determine what will work best for you. The guide can be found at http://www.worksupport.com/research/viewContent.cfm/585
RECRUITING: NEW NATIONAL JOB BOARD
Accessible Employment is a new U.S. job board that targets job seekers with disabilities that was started by the New Jersey Business Leadership Network, which in turn was established with generous support from the Henry H. Kessler Foundation. The Job Board can be found at http://www.accessibleemployment.org
From: OCTOBER 2007 edition of our Disability Network Newsletter
ONLINE RESOURCES PROMOTING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FROM THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND
CareerConnect(r) is a program to ensure people with vision loss have equal access to employment opportunities. The online resources are specifically targeted for employers, job seekers with vision loss, and rehabilitation service providers. The program also showcases the diversity of jobs held by people with vision loss. CareerConnect(r) can be found at http://www.afb.org/careerconnect
JobEnable.com: WEBSITE TO LINK JOB SEEKERS WITH DISABILITIES AND THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES MARKET
At the World Conference on Disability Expo in Washington, D.C. on November 15th, Matt Lawrence and his employer, NetworkIP, will launch JobEnable.com, a web site where employers can post jobs for the people with disabilities and people with disabilities can post resumes and search a database of job openings. For more information go to http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=781046
THE ONE PERCENT COALITION WEB SITE
The One Percent Coalition is committed to generating opportunities for workers with severe disabilities to participate in all contracts across the federal government. For more information go to http://www.onepercentcoalition.org/index.html
THE ABILITIES FUND
The Abilities Fund calls itself the "first and only community developer targeted exclusively to advancing entrepreneurial opportunities for Americans with disabilities. To learn more about the Abilities Fund, go to
http://www.abilitiesfund.org/
EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES FROM Disabilityinfo.gov
Employment is the economic engine of our nation, our communities and our families. For people with disabilities, employment promotes greater independence and productive, fulfilling lives. This section of DisabilityInfo.gov covers a variety of topics related to employment of people with disabilities: advice for individuals with disabilities seeking work; help for employers looking for hard-working and dedicated employees; information on employment rights, laws and regulations; resources for employment programs and job accommodations for people with disabilities. For more information go to http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=9
THE CENTER FOR WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES
The Center for Workers with Disabilities is a technical assistance center for states enhancing or developing employment supports programs for working persons with disabilities; most of the 30 plus states supported by the Center are supporting employment supports development with Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG) funds established under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 (P.L. 106-170). For more information go to http://www.aphsa.org/disabilities/ The Center also has a newsletter, which can be accessed at http://www.aphsa.org/disabilities/publications/newsletter.htm.
20.6 million adults in the United States over the age of 20 have diabetes. An additional 54 million are diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Attend the Institute for Community Inclusion's Diabetes and Work Conference to learn more about strategies for successful employment for individuals with diabetes.
This conference will include panel discussions and presentations by individuals with diabetes as well as experts in the employment field. The keynote speaker, Michael Weiss, is the former president of the American Diabetes Association and author of "The Little Diabetes Book You Need to Read." Pam Fernandez, the lunch guest speaker, is a gold medalist from the Sidney 2000 Paralympics. This enlightening conference is free and will take place on November 15th, from 9am to 4:30pm. Registration is strongly suggested, as space is limited.
Register for the Diabetes and Work Conference Here! - http://www.communityinclusion.org/diabetesconference/
SAMHSA Awards $4.2 Million for Statewide Consumer Network Grants
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
today announced the award of 20 grants totaling almost $4.2 million over
three years to help consumer organizations around the country work with
policymakers and service providers to improve services for persons living
with serious mental illnesses.
"Today, nearly every state has an active consumer organization dedicated
to promoting care and support services that are responsive to the needs of
people with mental illnesses," said SAMHSA Administrator Terry Cline, Ph.D."These grants will help continue to drive the mental health system toward
providing recovery-oriented services."
Grantees are encouraged to work in partnership with their state's Mental
Health Transformation State Incentive Grant staff toward achieving common
statewide consumer network goals.
Each grant recipient will receive approximately $70,000 per year for up
to three years. Continuation of these awards is subject to both
availability of funds and progress achieved by the grantees. Total funding
for year one is $1.4 million. This grant program will be administered by
SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services. The grantees are listed at http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/071012statewide3746.aspx
For additional information about these grants and other SAMHSA programs, please visit www.samhsa.gov.
DisabilityInfo.gov
Community Life News & Events Update: National Service Opens Door Wider for People with Disabilities
The 50 million Americans who are living with disabilities will have an easier time learning about and participating in national service and volunteer programs thanks to new initiatives announced today by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Corporation is the latest partner in DisabilityInfo.gov, a collaborative effort among 22 federal government agencies. "We hope people with disabilities will come to DisabilityInfo.gov not just to receive services, but to find ways to serve," said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation. "We know that service connects people with disabilities to skills, networks, and career paths that can bring added value to their lives."
This information has recently been updated and can be accessed by visiting this link: http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=193.
hcbs.org > Clearinghouse CLIPS: October 31, 2007
Medicaid Spousal Impoverishment Standards for 2008
TOPIC(S): Aging Issues, Developmental/Psychiatric Disabilities, Long-Term Care, Physical Disabilities, State/Agency Information
Source: CMS
MORE INFO: http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/2061
Community Advisors: Roles and Skills
SUMMARY: How can a community advisor help find choices and supports?
The MA CPASS grantees developed two tools to support
self-determination. The first is a checklist of suggested
competencies, attributes and skills of necessary to be a Community
Advisors. The second resource is a guide defining the role of an
advisory, how to use and select the right person, plus checklist of
other considerations.
TOPIC(S): Consumer Direction, Developmental/Psychiatric
Disabilities, Physical Disabilities
Source: Grantee produced, Massachusetts
MORE INFO: http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/2067
First Steps Handbook: How to get organized to find the help you
need
SUMMARY: A product of the MASS C-PASS mini-grant project operated by
the Multicultural Services Center of the Pioneer Valley (Otro Puente)
this bilingual guide was designed for newly arrived Latino
individuals and families to the city of Holyoke, MA. Written in
response to concerns that many families don’t know how to start
looking for supports for a person living with a disability, the
guide reviews how to prepare for an interview or home visit, ways to
gather information and a list of local agencies.
TOPIC(S): Consumer Direction, Developmental/Psychiatric
Disabilities, Physical Disabilities
Source: Grantee produced, Massachusetts
MORE INFO: http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/2065
Foundations in Behavioral Healthcare: Integrating approaches to
planning effective interventions for adults with mental illness,
substance use disorders and cognitive impairments living in public
housing - A Training Curriculum
SUMMARY: This trainings series was developed in the Fall of 2006 by
DATA of Rhode Island. The goals are to provide a foundation of
behavioral health care knowledge and skills for human service
workers who work with adults with a range of disabilities, with an
ultimate goal of human service workers helping to affect better
outcomes for the persons they serve. Each of the 14 training seminar
ranges in duration from 3-6 hours. Review each training curriculum
module which contains the outline and slides.
TOPIC(S): Mental Health
Source: Grantee produced, Rhode Island
MORE INFO: http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/1978
HOME IDIS E-Learning System
SUMMARY: This self-guided, web based tutorial is for HOME
Participating Jurisdictions and organizations implementing the HOME
Program throughout the United States to learn how to correctly
process HOME activities in IDIS. The E-Learning System is made up of
a series of interactive training modules, allowing users to learn at
their own pace.
TOPIC(S): Housing
Source: HUD; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
MORE INFO: http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/2070
Massachusetts C-PASS Evaluation Report and Coordinating Council
Self-Evaluation Report
SUMMARY: Two different reports assessed the MA C-PASS activities.
First, an independent evaluation of the goals and accomplishment,
information gathered from structured interviews. The second report
is a ‘self-evaluation’ from the Coordinating Council who evaluated
their own performance. Review the findings on self-determination,
the planning process, the barriers encountered and goals achieved.
TOPIC(S): Consumer Direction, Developmental/Psychiatric
Disabilities, Physical Disabilities
Source: Grantee produced, Massachusetts
MORE INFO: http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/2066
Service Documentation Workshop
SUMMARY: Developed through Oregon's 2004 Real Choice Grant,
Integrating Long-Term Supports with Affordable Housing, this
presentation is part of an interactive workshop with mental health
staff to address issues and barriers surrounding the documentation
of service delivery in community and in-home settings. The workshop
covers how services are reimbursed through Medicaid, delineates the
requirements that must be met for service documentation, and also
allows time for group participation and practice.
TOPIC(S): Housing, Mental Health
Source: Grantee produced, Oregon
MORE INFO: http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/2062
The PHI National Clearinghouse on the Direct Care Workforce
SUMMARY: Visit this on-line library for people in search of
solutions to the direct-care staffing crisis in long-term care. The
site includes government and research reports, news, issue briefs,
on topics such as recruitment, career advancement supervision,
workplace culture, and caregiving practices plus training manuals
and how-to guides. The Clearinghouse publishes original research and
analysis, fact sheets, an annual survey of state initiatives, and
Quality Jobs/Quality Care, an on-line newsletter.
TOPIC(S): Long-Term Care, Workforce
Source: PHInational
MORE INFO: http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/2068
October 31, 2007 ADA Updates - New England ADA Center
Accommodating Disabled Employees: A Guide to the Good Faith Interactive Process -
http://www.metrocorpcounsel.com/current.php?artType=view&artMonth=November&artYear=2007&EntryNo=7433
(The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel, NJ)
Companies striving for progressive, employee-friendly policies in today's business environment commonly seek to achieve a diverse workforce. These diversity initiatives, which are inspired by both business sense and moral imperative, focus in part on persons with disabilities. In fact, recent studies have shown that disabled workers comprise up to fourteen percent of the overall United States workforce. This presents unique challenges for companies, as even the most conscientious employers may have difficulty navigating the myriad requirements set forth in the federal and state statutes governing disability in the workplace. And the consequences of failing to comply with these laws and regulations can result in significant liability. To protect against these risks and prevent liability, this article sets forth some simple strategies for dealing with disabled employees.
DATES: Applications are due by November 30, 2007. Bloggers will be chosen by December 15, 2007
Blogging Championship
The Real Economic Impact (REI) Tour is holding two Blogging Championships for individuals with disabilities to share their unique story about their financial situation and goals.
Three to five individuals with disabilities will be the official REI Tour Bloggers and will blog over the course of six months (January to June 2008). They will share their personal stories and advance their views on personal finance, planning a better economic future, and their daily aspirations to be part of the American Dream that begins with working and preserving income and building assets. Possible posting topics include but are not limited to difficulties and successes with asset development, savings and budget. The bloggers are required to write multiple postings per week, and at the end of June, a winner and runner up will be chosen.
All individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted until November 30, 2007, and bloggers will be chosen by December 15, 2007.
Access the following URL to fill out an application for the Blogging Championship:
Youth Blogging Championship
If you are between the ages of 14 and 20 and have experience with disability, you may choose to enter the 2008 Real Economic Impact Tour Youth Championship. Once a month for six months from January to July 2008, you will be asked to write a blog about your dreams to become more financially independent, to manage a budget, to open a savings account and other thoughts you have about working, saving money, and building assets. Up to five individuals between the ages of 14 and 20 will be selected from applications we receive to become the official REI Tour 2008 Youth Bloggers. Your blogs will appear monthly on the REI Tour website.
All individuals with disabilities between the ages of 14 and 20 are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted until November 30, 2007. We look forward to reading about you.
To access a copy of the application for the Youth Blogging Championship, go to:
http://www.reitour.org/blogs/youthchallenge.php
Background: The Real Economic Impact Tour is attracting media attention across the country. The focus in 62 cities in 2008 is to build expectations about the possibilities of a better economic future for individuals with disabilities. For too long, individuals with disabilities have not been part of the American Dream. Today, more individuals with disabilities are working and saving to buy a home or start a business someday.
The Real Economic Impact Tour is about to begin its fourth year of activities in 62 cities nationwide. Last year we touched 1 million individuals with disabilities with information and special events and assisted over 36,000 individuals with free tax preparation with over $32 million in returns and EITC.
The National Disability Institute is creating through its Real Economic Impact Tour and other work in asset development a social network to advance a better economic future for persons with disabilities nationwide. NDI’s message is that individuals with disability can work, save, build assets, and reduce dependence on government benefits. Our vision is that all persons with disabilities become valued members of the mainstream economy.
The National Disability Institute has started a movement with the REI Tour unlike anything else in the disability world. For the first time in history, reports are going to Congress about the needs of taxpayers with disabilities; new bills are circulating in Congress about tax advantaged savings for persons with disabilities and their families, and people with disabilities are receiving real economic impact through receipt of refundable credits and other tax provisions previously not claimed.
Adobe Accessibility Resource Center
This part of the Adobe website has information and resources on accessibility including how to make PDF documents accessible for people with visual disabilities - http://www.adobe.com/accessibility/index.html
Until Next week
The Arc of the United States,1010 Wayne Avenue, Ste. 650,Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: 301-565-3842, Fax: 301-565-3843, 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 and TheArcLink Incorporated do not necessarily endorse all events, sponsoring organizations and reports which appear.