Economic Stimulus Guide
On February 17, 2009 President Barack Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. With this, comes additional VR funding, general employment and training, youth services, other labor funding, increases in Medicaid, encouragement of contracts with disability-owned businesses, expansion of WOTC, funding for IDEA, and more.
The following articles contain information for providers:
Through the Work Without Limits Initiative, the Institute for Community Inclusion is pleased to present an extensive and contemporary series of workshops and topical trainings on employment of individuals with disabilities. Training sessions include Concepts Of Self-Employment, a general overview of self-employment and factors that contribute to successful business ownership, and the Employment Supports Training Series, a five-part series that offers an overview of what it takes to help individuals meet their employment goals. The two summer sessions offered as part of the employment support series are Introduction to Employment Services, and Person-Focused Career Planning.
All training events are free of charge. For more information, and registration please visit http://www.massworks.org/workwithoutlimits/.
Applications are now being accepted for The Community Transportation Association's Massachusetts Institute for Transportation Coordination, a FREE, three-day intensive training to help you provide cost-effective and customer-focused transportation services in your community. At the training, you will learn about coordinating funding, information, services and equipment. Download the informational flyer here. For the application, go to www.mass.gov/HST.
by David Hoff
Institute for Community Inclusion
University of Massachusetts Boston
Molly Holsapple, Oregon Office of DD Services
with
Rie Kennedy Lizotte
Charles Moseley, EdD
National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services
Editor’s note: This article was originally written for the Community Services Reporter published by the by the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disability Services (NASDDDS). While written for state developmental disability service systems, we thought this was worth sharing on MassWorks, as the information in the article has relevance for a much wider audience, including other public systems as well as service providers, in terms of how to maintain an employment focus during these challenging times.
by Rick Kugler
There may be no time better than the present for students to increase their income and begin their career journey. The summer of 2009 will offer special opportunities for training, internships and jobs for youth with increases in Workforce Investment Act youth employment funding as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the "economic stimulus package"). Additionally, the $250 "economic recovery payment" that SSI and SSDI beneficiaries should soon receive can be wisely invested to purchase work attire, equipment or work-related transportation expenses, giving young SSI beneficiaries a head start into the workforce.
by David Hoff and Kathy Petkauskos
The two general sessions at the Massachusetts Job Developer's Conference in December 2008 featured a number of employer presentations: a morning keynote by Felicia Nurmsen, Branch Manager at Adecco and at the end of the day, an interactive panel of three employers featuring Patrick Flavin of The TJX Companies, Inc., Lisa Trearchis of Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, and Joseph Maglione of Genzyme Corporation. Audience members may have thought they would come away with new job development approaches for the Internet and high-tech age.
by Rick Kugler
Introduction
On January 1, 2009 the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008 went into effect. The ADA Act of 1990 was enacted to protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination. Title 1 of the ADA prohibits employers (defined by having 15 or more employees) from discriminating against applicants and employees who are substantially limited in one or more major life activities due to physical or mental impairment. It also protects individuals who have a record of and/or who are regarded as having such an impairment. The ADA also requires employers to provide workplace adjustments, referred to as "reasonable accommodations", so that "qualified" workers with disabilities can participate fully in the workplace.
It has been known for decades that individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can work when they are given appropriate supports. This requires precise support and planning, collaboration, creative strategizing, and, most importantly, an intimate understanding of the person with ASD as a unique individual. It takes time, perseverance, and commitment, but it works! The article "Supporting Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Quality Employment Practices," by Melanie Jordan and Alan Kurtz, gives an overview of effective strategies for supporting individuals with ASD as they participate in competitive employment.
Download "Supporting Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders" (PDF version) | (MS Word version)
Social Security has a lot of information & resources available for disability beneficiaries who wish to return to work. Click on the image above and take a brief tour of "The Work Site" here. (This presentation will open in a new window. Use the "cc" button on the control bar to access captioning.)
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