"DPN Recommends"

TrainGreenSF
http://www.oewd.org/TrainGreenSF_Academy.aspx

TrainGreenSF is the Office of Workforce and Economic Development's Green Academy offering comprehensive vocational training for San Francisco Bay Area residents interested in entering the emerging Green Collar Industry. Through collaboration with Goodwill, Jewish Vocational Service (JVS), and City College of San Francisco, participants can gain green jobs training in one of five areas:

•  Recycling and Reuse
• Green Transportation
• Green Administration/Office Skills
• Energy Efficiency
• Solar Thermal

In addition to classroom and hands-on training in a chosen area, participants will receive gain assistance via job readiness training, case management, career advising, and job placement to aid in their future success. This is an incredible opportunity to job-seekers, and we highly recommend sharing the orientation schedule and program guide with your One-Stop customers.

For more information, call (415) 401-4889 or visit the TrainGreenSF website.

Webinar Alert!

Join the California Health Incentives Improvement Project (CHIIP) for a FREE online training webinar entitled...

Show me the MONEY!!: Work Incentives, Programs and Online Resources for Youth, Students and College Graduates with Disabilities

  

Date: Tuesday, December 21st

When: 2:00-3:30 PM

To register for the webinar, please click on the following link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XKQFCGJ 

This FREE online training webinar will cover the following topics:

·        NEW Youth Transition Toolkit

·        Disability Benefits 101

·        Student Earned Income Exclusion

·        Plan to Achieve Self-Support

·        Ways to keep Medi-Cal while working

·        Learn more about the GRADS Program: Peer to Peer Support for California College Students and Graduates with Disabilities

This training is mainly geared toward service providers (including Medi-Cal county eligibility workers, Department of Rehabilitation, Independent Living Center, Regional Center, One-Stops, benefits planners, etc.) but consumers are also welcome to attend. 

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credits will be available for attending this webinar and passing a short quiz.

Please note that the webinar will be closed-captioned.

Technology Information

During registration, you will be provided with instructions on how to access the webinar. Once you complete your registration, please keep a copy of the instructions on the second page of the survey.

If you are within a state building, most IT departments require at least a week notice to set up the Webinar technology. Your IT department may also need to unblock access to the Webinar site from your computer or install the plug-in for you.

Technology requirements and instructions for participating in this Webinar can be found at: http://interwork.sdsu.edu/webinar/chiip/

Webinar Technology Test

On Tuesday, December 14th from 2:00-3:00 PM we will also hold a webinar technology test so you can check to see if your equipment is webinar-ready. Note that there will be limited technology support on the day of the conference. Therefore, we recommend you make it a point to attend this test meeting.

Resource of the Week

City College Disabled Students Programs & Services (DSPS)
www.ccsf.edu/dsps
(415) 561-1005
(415) 452-5481 Ocean Campus

City College offers a wide range of programs and services for students with disabilities. Do you have customers who want to work but need to gain extra skills? Do they need some extra resources in order to be ready to start a job search? They can enroll now for Spring 2011 classes at City College campuses throughout the city. For more information about these classes, contact Robert Fitch at rfitch@ccsf.edu. These classes are geared specifically towards students with disabilities:

• DSPS 4014 Arts & Crafts for the Disabled
• DSPS 4017 Drama for the Disabled
• DSPS 4022 Computer Skills - Disabled
• DSPS 4023 Job Search Skills, Disabled Lab
• DSPS 4028 ABI-Cognitive Retraining
• DSPS 4033 ABI-Language Reintegration
• DSPS 4035 High Tech Comp.Assess/Disabled
• DSPS 4038 Community Living Skills
• DSPS 4050 Lifeskills for the Disabled
• DSPS 4101 Communication for the Blind
• DSPS 4210 Management of Hearing Loss
• DSPS 4302 HS Level Learning Strategies (see description below)

High School Level Learning Strategies
A course in learning strategies designed for students with disabilities who are taking high school level classes.
For more information, Contact Phil Magalong (415) 561-1001
Coping Strategies for Students with Acquired Brain Injuries
Designed to assist students with a mild acquired brain injury (ABI) regain the skills necessary to achieve their academic or vocational goals. Call (415) 561-1005 for more information.

For customers who can't commit to a whole semester-long course, CCSF also offers shorter classes in partnership with community organizations:

Stroke Survivor - Communication Classes
Two locations: John Adams Campus, 1860 Hayes St. and Stonestown YMCA Senior Annex
For more information: (415) 561-1005

Lipreading Class
Students will learn how to maximize communication through lipreading, stress reduction, creative problem solving, and assertiveness in supportive group environment. Call for times and locations: (415) 561-1005. Locations include CPMC, Kaiser, Hearing & Speech Center of No. California, Stonestown YMCA, and JCCSF.

Resource of the Week

Hiring Veterans: A Step-by-Step Toolkit for Employers
America’s Heroes at Work
http://www.americasheroesatwork.gov/forEmployers/HiringToolkit

Do you have Veterans entering your One Stop looking for work? Need some helping thinking about their special needs like Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? The U.S. Department of Labor recently launched a new online toolkit to guide employers through the Veterans hiring process. Hiring Veterans: A Step-by-Step Toolkit for Employers is available on the America’s Heroes at Work website.

Even though this free tool was made to help employers who want to include Veterans and wounded warriors in their recruitment and hiring initiatives, One Stop staff can really benefit from learning what transitioning Service Members, Veterans and wounded warriors particular needs are in job-seeking.

The toolkit’s six-step process outlines important steps to take when designing a Veterans hiring initiative, which include:

• developing a strategy for a successful Veterans hiring program
• creating an educated and welcoming environment for Veteran employees within your company
• actively recruiting Veterans, wounded warriors and military spouses
• hiring and learning how to accommodate qualified Veterans and wounded warriors in the workplace
• and promoting an inclusive workplace to retain Veteran employees.

Resource of the Week

The 411 on Disability Disclosure
http://www.ncwd-youth.info/411-on-disability-disclosure-for-adults

We learned about this resource from an esteemed colleague, Lisa Jordan, workforce development and disability expert. Many of the One Stop staff were able to benefit from Lisa's expertise last year when she facilitated the  popular Legacy Training on Disability Awareness in Fall 2009. Lisa is a wonderful resource and maintains the Disability Facts Blog, which is full of relevant resources.

This week we explore disclosure in a workbook created by the The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability (NCWD). We're a huge fan of this organization and many of their resources can be found on this blog and in our disability resource database. Although this workbook was created with youth with disabilities in mind, it definitely applies to adults.

In particular, please check out Chapter 8: Disclosure on the Job…Why, When, What, to Whom, and How? (page 8-1) for some indispensable key tips on the value of disclosure and when to or when not to disclose a disability. The main idea here is "that the process of learning how to disclose disability-related needs effectively and to develop an accommodation plan is extremely valuable" (p. 8-3).

There is even a section about visiting the One Stop Centers with a checklist of steps to take to learn more about the centers. Check out the list (p. 8-13) of steps. Would you be ready to serve a job-seekers in each of these steps?

Resource of the Week

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) Webcasts
http://prod.askjan.org/webcast/registration.cfm

Gather your One Stop staff together in a room for live, in-service training from the experts in job accommodation: The Job Accommodation Network. Educate yourself, management, and other employees on disability etiquette, assistive technologies, management techniques, and the latest on accommodations and the employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). From October 2010 to August 2011, JAN offers insightful professional development opportunities for all segments of the One Stop system.

All Webcasts begin at 2 pm Eastern (11:00AM Pacific) and are 1 hour. You must register to attend. One registration is equivalent to one login. Worried that your computer won't be able to handle the Webcast? JAN offers an overview of computer requirements needed to participate in the Webcasts.

These are just some of the upcoming Webcasts for the remainder of 2011:

10/25/2010 - 2:00 pm Eastern
Effective Practices - The Bender Model
Joyce A. Bender, the CEO and founder of Bender Consulting Services, Inc., will discuss effective practices related to recruiting and hiring people with disabilities in the public and private sectors, who are trained in the information technology, engineering, finance/accounting, human resources, and general business areas.
Joyce will discuss the benefits of creating competitive employment and career opportunities for people with disabilities.

11/09/2010 - 2:00 pm Eastern
Veterans Issues
JAN will showcase best practices in hiring and accommodating our returning wounded service members.

12/14/2010 - 2:00 pm Eastern
Customized Employment
Join Dr. Suzanne G. Kitchen and a special guest for a lively discussion about Customized Employment and the success it can bring to individuals with significant disabilities. In this session, strategies and suggestions will be provided, including identifying natural workplace supports, using assistive technology, and negotiating employment tasks, to help you best serve individuals who have typically been excluded from the traditional workforce.

Resource of the Week

Return-To-Work Toolkit
http://www.dol.gov/odep/return-to-work/

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has launched a new toolkit that helps employers and employees understand the return-to-work process. It's an amazing collection of resources to help get employees who experience an illness or injury back on the job quickly and smoothly. 

The employee toolkit includes information about:

• job accommodations
• preparing for a job interview
• resume writing
• self-employment
• employment-related laws

The employer toolkit has information about strategies such as 

• employment laws
• telecommuting, modifying work duties or schedules
• as well as resources that can help employers retain the talents of older workers

We will be featuring portions of this toolkit on the blog throughout the next month, but take a look today -- even if you only have 5 minutes -- because we're sure that you'll learn something new. Remember that all of these resources are specifically targeted for people with disabilities. For example, the resume-writing guide is a printable flyer from Earnworks.com. This could be a great flyer to distribute to staff or to post in your One Stop Center.

Resource of the Week

Choose Work - The Ticket to Work website
www.choosework.net

Do you know what Ticket to Work is? It's an important program to know about because your customers may enter the One Stop with a Ticket to Work voucher. This is a Social Security Administration program that offers people with disabilities an opportunity at achieving financial independence by enabling more choice in employment-related support services, and access to meaningful work.

A first step in learning about this program through the through the Choose Work website.

This website includes resources and information on:
• Ticket to Work
• Work Incentives Seminar Events
• Resources Map (find employment resources by state)

The site also provides targeted resources for: Beneficiaries, Providers and Employers.

You may also refer customers to the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Program for San Francisco: The Independent Living Resource Center or call (415) 543-6222. You can always call the DPN for more information on this and any other Resource of the Week.

Video Watch!

The National Disability Institute (NDI) held an American Dream video contest, in which NDI asked Americans with disabilities to create a video that tells the story of their American Dream and how they are working toward that dream. Sixty people shared their stories and individuals from all across the country shared your support. Kenzi Robi from San Francisco is the winner of the contest! Kenzi will receive $1,000 towards the achievement of his dreams and for a trip to Washington, D.C. Congratulations, Kenzi!

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month!

Happy October 1st! Our "Indian Summer" seems to have come and past in San Francisco. Colder weather, pumpkins, warm soup and Halloween seem to be on the mind of everyone. The arrival of October not only marks these traditional images, but also the designated month when our country celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities during the National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).

Read the reflections of Kathleen Martinez, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy, on the significance of NDEAM 2010. Assistant Secretary Martinez will be speaking next Wednesday, October 6th, at CVE's Legislative Breakfast via teleconference from Washington, D.C.
 
Download NDEAM 2010 posters and print to hang in your One Stops today! For the first time, the posters are also available as downloadable versions in six additional languages: Arabic, Chinese, Russian, French, and two Native American languages: Navajo, Lakota.

How will you celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities this month?

Local News

Did you know that October 2010 is the last month for the disabled sticker from SFMTA? And, not only that, but starting November 2010, disabled public transportation riders must local their discounted monthly pass to a Regional Transit Connection (RTC) discount photo card. If your customers come to you with questions about these changes, feel free to refer them to us for information and guidance.

For blind or low vision customers, you may want to mention that the self-serve Add Value Machines have earphone/headphone jacks on the left side. Also, the Clipper website (www.clippercard.com) is designed to work with screen-reader software.

Clipper brochures, which explain how to use the new Clipper Card, are available in large print, Braille or CD. Contact Clipper Customer Service at (887) 878-8883 or TTY/TTD 711 or (800) 735-2929 to request these accessible formats.

We also have the application for customers with disabilities to apply for the RTC discount card.

"DPN Recommends"

In helping people with disabilities find a job, it can be important to have a very positive attitude about the possibilities that lie ahead. Today, we share a link from Psychologydegree.com -- a website dedicated to educating the public about the value and options that a psychology degree offers -- that will hopefully inspire such a positive attitude. Patricia Duggan, one of the co-founders of the site, recently contacted the DPN to share a post on the site about 50 Famously Successful People Who Are Dyslexic. Take a browse, and learn about some famous people who have a learning disability because they are dyslexic.

Video Watch!

Confused about how the new health reform law really works? This short, animated movie -- featuring the "YouToons" -- explains the problems with the current health care system, the changes that are happening now, and the big changes coming in 2014.

http://healthreform.kff.org/the-animation.aspx

Resource of the Week

It is a momentous time for health care reform. The new Affordable Care Act -- whose reforms went into effect yesterday, September 23, 2010 -- has some important new provisions that positively affect people with disabilities. This is great news for job seekers with disabilities who have the added pressure of finding a job in order to secure health insurance through an employer's group plan. Too often, people with disabilities seeking individual health care plans face discrimination based on pre-existing medical conditions. By 2014, this type of discrimination will be against the law.

To learn about other provisions that can positively impact individuals with disabilities, watch this week's Resource of the Week: a video from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services about the Affordable Care Act. The information you learn may be crucial to helping ease the concerns of job seekers that you are interacting with at your One Stop Centers. Who knows? You may learn some information that helps you or someone you care about as well.



For more information about the new the Affordable Care Act, visit Healthcare.gov. The new law helps seniors, young adults and the general population as well.

DPN Desk Hours

The DPN Librarian, Cristina Mitra, will be at the Visitacion Valley One Stop this afternoon from 1:00PM-4:00PM for drop-in resource assistance. Please refer customers to speak with Cristina for some in-person assistance today. The Visitacion Valley One Stop Center is located at 73 Leland Ave.

Resource of the Week

Charting the Course: Supporting the Career Development of Youth with Learning Disabilities
http://www.ncwd-youth.info/ld-guide

Check out this new publication from the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth written in collaboration with U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) -- right off the press!

Written from a “disability rights” perspective, this timely guide is essential for One-Stop Career Centers to improve services and outcomes for youth, ages 14 to 25, with diagnosed and undiagnosed learning disabilities. 

Topics include

• ensuring appropriate and timely access to assistive technology
• learning how to disclose one’s disability effectively
• understanding how to access civil rights protections in educational, vocational, and social settings

DPN Desk Hours

The DPN Librarian, Cristina Mitra, will be at the SOMA/Civic Center One Stop (inside the Goodwill building) tomorrow Friday, Sept. 17th from 9:00AM-12:00PM. Please send your customers over for drop-in resource assistance. Cristina will be seated near the registration desk and very happy to assist with any resource needs from customers!

Webinar Alert!

Even in this economy, there are wonderful opportunities to get something for nothing. Check out this webinar from the One More Way project of the Sierra Group Foundation. It is free for job-seekers and veterans! You can't beat that. It takes place tomorrow so register today.

Teleseminar for businesses, agencies and job seekers

Title: Assistive Technology: Capturing the Ability and Skill Within Your Organization
Date: September 16, 2010 - Thursday
Time: 11:00AM – 12:15PM EDT

REGISTER NOW!

FREE TO JOB SEEKERS INCLUDING VETERANS!
Join the Sierra Group, Inc for a business discussion on how assistive technology (AT) can support and allow for creative workplace accommodations for employees with disabilities.

Teleseminar host Janet Fiore, CEO of The Sierra Group, Inc. will cover topics where you will:

• Learn the four (4) elements that support and allow for creative accommodation solutions
• Learn how assistive technology interfaces with Human Resources policy, Information Technology and the specialized needs of employees with disabilities
• Learn about current trends in accommodation solutions utilizing state-of-the-art technologies
• Better understand how you can be an essential component in the employment of individuals with disabilities through workplace accommodations

Technology is commonplace in today’s work setting, with many companies utilizing leading edge technologies to get real-time access to their systems. Indeed, many employers encourage their employees to work with a smart phone or an iPad to enhance their productivity. So why is it that disabled individuals using the same or similar technologies as “assistive technology,” have the highest rate of unemployment? Could it be that the term and workplace benefits of “assistive technology devices” is not really understood by employers?

This teleseminar is intended to highlight what the technology can do, how it fits in to a work environment and the business innovation benefits that await savvy companies when hiring an assistive technology user. The information learned can be essential to ensuring that highly skilled workers with disabilities are fully utilizing those skills and achieving their full work potential.

Janet Fiore, CEO of The Sierra Group, Inc., is a leading national authority on helping people move through the job accommodation process. Janet will facilitate the learning session with guest experts, Vickie Peirano-Thompson, Manager at United Collection Bureau, Inc. (UCB) - Intelligent Solutions, Michael Fiore, BSE, MBA, Rehabilitation Engineer, and noted expert on Assistive Technology, and Beth Loy, Principal Consultant at the Job Accommodation Network.

Schedule Change

Usually, we hold drop-in resource assistance hours at the Southeast Career Link Center on the 3rd Wednesdays of each month from 9:00AM-12:00PM. Just for today, we've moved the hours to the afternoon. Please refer your clients to come meet with us from 1:00PM-4:00PM. Thanks and sorry for any inconvenience.

Resource of the Week

In this economy, free isn't a word to be underestimated -- especially when it means free professional development! For this week's Resource of the Week, we want to point your nose in the direction of a *free webinar* presented by the Accessible Technology Coalition (ATC). This is a great opportunity to learn even more about accessible (or assistive) technology --  or AT, as it is ofter referred to -- and build on the knowledge you learned earlier this year when Jane Vincent-Berliss hosted a training on AT for One Stop staff.

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/501978030

Title: Free Computer AT You Already Have and How to Use It
Date: Thursday, September 16, 2010
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PDT
Presenter: Jane Berliss-Vincent

Description: Popular operating systems such as Windows XP/Vista/7 and Macintosh OS X have a variety of built-in features useful to people with disabilities. This webinar will show you how to find these features and discuss what needs they can meet. It will also cover implementation issues for libraries and other public computing sites, including potential conflicts with other software.

About the Presenter: Jane Vincent holds a Master of Arts in Library Science degree from the University of Michigan. For the last thirteen years she has worked as the Usability/Accessibility Manager for the Center for Accessible Technology, providing consultation to libraries on accessible technology  acquisition and use throughout California, as well as evaluating website  accessibility for businesses and organizations and performing assistive technology evaluations for individuals. Jane is a primary contributor to the Access on Main Street blog (www.accessonmainstreet.net) and is an active member of  Bay Area Disability Services Librarians (BADSL).

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar. If you have any trouble registering, please contact Karen Sheehan, ksheehan@cforat.org.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer

Resource of the Week

Project Homeless Connect has launched a new innovation project called the Growing Home Community Garden. Located at Octavia & Lily in Hayes Valley San Francisco, it is "a community garden for housed and homeless San Franciscans; providing a safe haven to grow food, access green space and celebrate community." 

The garden offers mental health and employment skill share opportunities through a variety of programs, including a health nutrition skill share each Monday from 12-1pm, a garden skill share Monday from 2-2:30 and health and stress reduction skill shares Friday 2-3pm.  Beginning in August, they began peer lead support groups on addiction recovery and starting a book club. 

The garden is currently open Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 1-4pm. For more information, check out the Growing Home Community Garden blog: http://growinghomecommunitygarden.blogspot.com/.

Resource of the Week

We recently learned about a new tool available from the U.S. Department of Labor website: Disability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor (DNLA) from the Human Solution blog, Disability Facts. The DNLA is designed to help employers determine which federal disability nondiscrimination laws apply to their business or organization.  

It also helps recipients of federal funding understand their responsibilities under these laws, which probably includes anyone reading this. Employees, job applicants and participants in programs that receive federal funding can also use it to learn more about their rights under these federal nondiscrimination laws. 

Resource of the Week

The U.S. Department of Justice Disability Right Section offers an excellent resource on accessibility for people with disabilities when planning meetings: Expanding Your Market: Accessible Information Exchange - Meeting on a Level Playing Field.

Meetings between businesses and people with disabilities – whether related to researching customer preferences, developing a business education curriculum, or discovering effective ways to comply with the ADA – can result in innovative ideas and powerful collaborations that bring greater access to customers with disabilities and attract new customers to businesses.

As meeting organizers, it's our job to ensure complete accessibility at all meetings. 

This extremely informative website focuses on three areas of concern: where the meeting is held, how the meeting room furniture is arranged, and how the meeting information is communicated. Thanks to Lisa Jordan of Human Solutions for posting this important resource to the Human Solutions' Disability Facts Blog.

Resource of the Week

The Campaign for Disability Employment is a collaborative effort to promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities by encouraging employers and others to recognize the value and talent they bring to the workplace.

The web site offers a range of education and outreach tools, all designed to engage employers, people with disabilities, family and educators, and the general public. These include on-line forums which offer users the opportunity to express their commitment to disability employment efforts and share what they “can do”; grassroots tools and tangible ideas for supporting the Campaign’s goals; links to trusted resources that provide disability employment related information; and video public service announcements (PSAs).

Resource of the Week

BenifitsSF.org is one website to bookmark immediately! Simple to use, yet packed with key and straightforward information, you can use this as a reference for reliable information about these public benefits available to San Francisco residents:

• Food stamps
• Medi-Cal
• School meals
• WIC (Women, Infants and Children)
• Earned Income Tax Credit
• Working Families Credit

Want to know if you qualify for food stamps or Medi-Cal? Use the eligibility tool (10-minute process). You can also apply for benefits from the website, and also re-certify your benefits.

Information available in English, Spanish and Chinese.

Residential Wheel Chair Elevator Available

The DPN is all about resource sharing and mutual support. That's why we love it when fellow disability community members share important news and/or resources to share with our blog readers.

Stephen Beard, of The Beard Realty Team, Keller Williams Realty -- whom we have highlighted as a Resource of the Week -- recently contacted the DPN to announce the availability of a residential wheel chair elevator for best offer or charitable donation.

If you know of anyone looking for a wheelchair lift, please call (415) 798-0481. 

This is what Stephen Beard shared with us about the Wheel Chair elevator:

A residential Wheel Chair Elevator is available for best offer or charitable donation.  This elevator allows a person in a wheel chair to travel independently between floors in a two story house.  It can be installed inside the house or outside.  Outside installation requires purchase or construction of housing for the assembly.  Pre-fabricated outside housing is available for purchase from retailers separately.  

Elevator is made by Trus-T-Lift and has an Open Sesame remote controlled gate opener.  The gate opener allows the person in wheel chair to open the gate by push of remote button on their wheel chair.  We mounted the remote button next to other wheel chair controls when we used it.  

Only one gate of the elevator is unlocked when reaching the top elevation.  Both gates are unlocked when reaching the bottom elevation.  It was used for only one half year and is in "like new" condition.  It is battery operated, so the user will not be stranded during power outages.  Batteries are recharged continuously using standard residential electrical power using a standard residential power outlet.  

We will leave it in place, so anyone who wants it can see how it works before dis-assembly and removal.

Resource of the Week

Ever wish there was a yellow pages directory where you could find all the information on free food, shelter, medical and mental health resources in San Francisco?

Look no further!

Freeprintshop.org can be your one-stop shop for printable directories with information in English and Spanish on all these topics.

Charts available for:

• Food pantries
• Shelters
• Medical services
• Mental health services
• Neighborhood repairs

Resource of the Week

California Relay Service
http://www.ddtp.org/california_relay_service/

California Relay Service (CRS) provides specially-trained operators to relay telephone conversations back and forth between people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-disabled and all those they wish to communicate with by telephone. This CRS page offers useful information about how to use the relay service, relay service providers, 711 Choice and Customer Profiles.

Simply dial 7-1-1 to reach CRS. 

CRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to assist with calls. You can make as many calls as you wish and talk as long as you like. There is no extra charge to use the relay service. All operator services, including directory assistance, are also available via CRS.

Resource of the Week

Project Read
www.projectreadsf.org

Project Read is the adult literacy project of the San Francisco Public Library. This is a truly extraordinary and inspiring project that provides basic instruction in reading and writing to English-speaking adults.

Each year, professionally trained volunteer tutors provide over 10,000 hours of one-on-one literacy instruction to adult learners through Project Read.

Continuing support is available through support groups, workshops, group events, consultations with specialists, teaching resources and more!

Contact Project Read at (415) 557-4388.

Resource of the Week

Deaf Services Center (DSC)
San Francisco Public Library
http://sfpl.org/index.php?pg=0200002001

Did you know that San Francisco Public Library has been providing specialized services for the deaf or hard of hearing since 1977?

The Deaf Services Center (DSC) is located on the 1st floor of the Main Library of San Francisco Public Library at 100 Larkin St.

It was specially designed, constructed and furnished to make it possible for individuals to communicate effectively using sign language or speech reading. Bilingual staff is available to assist those using the DSC resources and can make referrals to appropriate agencies.

There are fiction and non-fiction books, magazines, videotapes, and other materials on American Sign Language (ASL), sign language study, deafness, Deaf culture and related topics of interest to people who are deaf or hard of hearing, their families and associates.

Open Tuesday - Saturday. See DSC website for hours.

Resource of the Week

Real estate services for people with disabilities

The Beard Realty Team, Keller Williams Realty

www.accessiblehomesforyou.com

There are very few realtors who specialize in services for people with disabilities and their families, and The Beard Realty Team offers expertise in this area. Check out their website for a wide range of real estate and financial planning resources for people with disabilities, including:

• Online listing of available accessible properties in the Bay Area
• Lenders who offer special financing programs for people with disabilities
• Contractors with experience in accessible home modifications 

Consider attending a Free Accessible Home Ownership Workshop in Walnut Creek, organized by the Beard Real Estate Team and MetLife!

DATE: Saturday April 17th, 2010

TIME: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

LOCATION: MetLife, 2001 N. Main Street, Suite #380, 
Walnut Creek, CA

Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact:

Stephen Beard, Real Estate Consultant & Accessibility Specialist
The Beard Realty Team, Keller Williams Realty
4341 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, CA 94611   DRE #: 01432150
510-899-8163  

Resource of the Week

Social Security 2010 Red Book
http://www.ssa.gov/redbook/

The Red Book serves as a general reference source about the employment-related provisions of Social Security Disability Insurance and the Supplemental Security Income Programs for educators, advocates, rehabilitation professionals, and counselors who serve people with disabilities.

Access the URL to link to download full PDF versions of the 2010 Redbook in English and Spanish.

What’s New in 2010

[This information has been excerpted directly from the website.]

• SSA increased the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) amount for individuals with disabilities, other than blindness, from $980 to $1000 for 2010.
• The SGA amount for individuals who are blind is $1,640 for 2010. The amount is unchanged from 2009.
• SSA increased the monthly earnings amount that it uses to determine if a month counts for the Trial Work Period (TWP) from$700 to $720 for 2010.
• For 2010, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Federal Benefit Rates (FBR) is $674 for an eligible individual and $1,011 for an eligible couple. The amounts are unchanged from 2009.
• For 2010, the income amounts that will have no effect on eligibility or benefits for SSI beneficiaries who are students is unchanged from 2009. For 2010, the monthly amount is $1,640 and the yearly maximum is $6,600.
• For 2010, the monthly Medicare Part A Hospital Insurance Base Premium is $461, and the 45 percent Reduced Premiums is $254. The Part B Supplementary Medical Insurance monthly Base Premium is $110.50.

RESOURCE OF THE WEEK service for One Stops: Each week the Disability Program Navigator (DPN) will highlight a  tool including resources on hot topics, policies, tools from other DPNs statewide, and special issues in SF disability services. Featured resources will be posted on this blog, so bookmark http://disabilityprogramnavigator.blogspot.com and check back weekly!

National Stuttering Association Event

The Bay Area Chapters of the National Stuttering Association

and the

Office of Disability Services at

Alliant International University is proud to sponsor an evening with

Nan Bernstein Ratner, Ed.D,:

"Translating recent stuttering research into info you can use"

When: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 7:00
Where: Alliant International University, Room 135
1 Beach Street, Suite 100
San Francisco, California 94133 (across from Pier 39)
RSVP to Nina Ghiselli at drghiselli@yahoo.com or 415-955-2164

Dr. Ratner is the co-author of the book, Handbook on Stuttering, Professor and Chairman, Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, University of Maryland at College Park. She holds degrees in Child Development, Speech-Language Pathology and Applied Psycholinguistics. Dr. Ratner is the editor of six volumes, and the author of more than 30 articles and 20 chapters addressing stuttering and language acquisition in children. She currently serves as Co-editor of Seminars in Speech and Language, Associate Editor of the Journal of Fluency Disorders and The American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, and is Coordinator of the Steering Committee for ASHA's Special Interest Division #4 (Fluency and Fluency Disorders).

The local chapters of the NSA are pleased to sponsor this esteemed speaker and would like to thank Dr. Ratner for her willingness to reach out to the stuttering community in the Bay Area.

For more information on the Bay Area Chapters of the NSA: BayAreaNSA.com.

Information on Dr. Ratner: http://www.bsos.umd.edu/hesp/facultyStaff/Ratnern.htm

Quarterly Training

Quarterly DPN Training for One-Stop Staff March 26, 2010 on Assistive Technology!

Did you enjoy the Legacy Trainings last Fall? Then don't miss the next exciting training from your Disability Program Navigator...

Register online today!

(Registration form below)

Friday, March 26, 2010

MOEWD Office, 50 Van Ness, 1st Floor, San Francisco, CA 

9:00AM - 2:00PM

All San Francisco One-Stop Managers and Staff are warmly invited to attend this basic overview of assistive technologies. Trainer Jane Vincent is an expert in this field. Find out how these technologies can help everyone not just people with disabilities. Information tailored for seasoned One-Stop staff and newcomers alike. You won't want to miss this essential training!

Topics include:

• Computer software: JAWS, ZoomText, NaturallySpeaking, Utilities built into Windows
• Computer hardware: Large trackball, Large-print keyboard
• Adjustable tables
• Braille typewriter
• Videophone and TTY

Questions? Contact Patrick (415) 544-0124 or Cristina (415) 637-2499.

Resource of the Week

Ever have a customer ask you a befuddling question about disability benefits and employment? Wonder where you can go to find the answer your customer needs about Medi-Cal for the Working Disabled, Social Security Disability Programs or State Disability Insurance? Look no further! Answers to these questions and more can be found on the DB101 website (http://www.disabilitybenefits101.org/).

DB101 is an extremely valuable resource that deserves a bookmark in your Internet browser right now! Hosted by the World Institute on Disability, DB101 is a comprehensive resource on the rules for health coverage, benefits, and employment programs that people with disabilities may want to access. In addition to extensive information, there are nifty features such as a host of different benefits calculators, planning directory, glossary, forums, trainings and workshops, and case studies, i.e. for youth with disabilities.

Check out the Most Popular Pages for the most accessed resources within DB101 such as FAQs for Medi-Cal or Cal-COBRA.

Resource of the Week

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic medical condition characterized by symptoms that the affected person attributes to exposure to low levels of chemicals. Commonly suspected substances include smoke, pesticides, plastics, synthetic fabrics, scented products, petroleum products and paints. Symptoms may be vague and non-specific, such as nausea, fatigue, and headaches.

The Chemical Sensitivity Foundation has put together a 15-minute video that introduces the issue of MCS.

Curious about what kinds of accommodations you may need to think about for employees with MCS? The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) has an excellent briefing that addresses this very issue.

Resource of the Week

In the publication, Special Report: 5 Easy Disability Tips to Immediately Increase Organization Accessibility, disability & workforce development expert Lisa Jordan advises One Stop staff to have common forms and materials available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille and other languages.

Many have considered printing important information in other languages and even perhaps large print, but do you have your most important materials at your One Stop available in Braille?

No need to fear! The LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired will convert everything from a simple letter to a technical manual to Braille. They are a tremendous resource located right in Van Ness Avenue near City Hall. They will offer a non-profit discount to One Stops at $45/hour versus $60/hour. There is a 1/2 hour minimum per job.

Access Both Lisa Jordan's report the LightHouse information from the online Disability Resource Library today.

Office of Disability Employment Policy Listening Tour visits the Bay Area!

"A New Day: We're Listening" Office of Disability Employment Policy Listening Session Event

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and its Federal partners are touring 6 states to seek YOUR input. The Bay Area listening tour will be in Berkeley, CA on Tuesday, February 16, 2010.

Hotel Shattuck Plaza

Berkeley, CA 94704

AM Session: 9 AM - 12:30 PM

PM Session: 2 PM - 5 PM

View Larger Map

Register today and share your views on:

(1) Employment of women, Veterans and minorities with disabilities.
(2) Effectively collaboration between Federal and state systems successfully employing for people with disabilities.
(3) The top focus issues for the Federal government to support an increase in labor force participation for people with disabilities.

SPACE IS LIMITED! Follow this link to register today!

https://www.disabilitylisteningtour.com/register/index.php?cityclicked=San%20Francisco

For more information:
Telephone/TTY: (703) 684-0029
Online: http://www.dol.gov/odep/disabilitylisteningtour.htm

Resource of the Week

ADA Information Line
http://www.ada.gov/infoline.htm

The U.S. Department of Justice provides information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) through a toll-free ADA Information Line. This service permits businesses, State and local governments, or others to call and ask questions about ADA requirements including questions about ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

800 - 514 - 0301 (Voice)
800 - 514 - 0383 (TTY)

Resource of the Week

 

In Fall 2009, the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) released a policy brief entitled “Supporting Transition to Adulthood Among Youth with Mental Health Needs: Action Steps for Policymakers.” This policy brief provides specific recommendations to aid policymakers across youth-serving systems to better serve youth with mental health needs.

NCWD/Youth has published four major reports released in the last few years focusing on transition-age youth with mental health needs. 

This policy brief calls attention to the challenges faced by youth and young adults with mental health needs during their transition to adulthood and provides information to help policymakers at the state and local level develop and improve service delivery systems for this population.

Resource of the Week

Webinar: Demystifying Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the Workplace

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/885234354

One More Way Collaborates with The U.S. Department of Labor

Thursday, January 28, 2010 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST

Janet Fiore, CEO of The Sierra Group and founder of the One More Way collaborative will interview special guest experts who will share ways for employers and rehabilitation professionals to assist veterans with traumatic brain injury or post traumatic stress disorder:

Guest expert, Lisa Stern, Consultant to The Department of Labor, America's Heroes at Work Initiative and Meg Krause, American's Heroes at Work Initiative will share information on how to best:

1. Separate FACT from FICTION regarding TBI and PTSD.
2. Dispel some of the frequent myths regarding TBI and/or PTSD in the workplace.
3. Present insightful information on "triggers".
4. Offer strategies for creating a welcoming and productive environment for veterans entering (or re-entering) the civilian workforce..
   

For More Information and Registration

A nominal fee of $29.95 will earn you 1 CEU Credit (HRCI or CRCC) and, your fee will also serve as "ONE MORE WAY" to drive up employment for Americans with Disabilities, including Veterans.

To request reasonable accommodation to attend this remote learning event, please contact us no later than by January 21st 888-492-2402 or by email at janet.fiore@onemoreway.org.

2010 Listening Tour to Address Critical Employment Issues Facing People with Disabilities in San Francisco 2/16/10!

A New Day: We're Listening
http://www.disabilitylisteningtour.com/

The U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and its Federal partners will hold a series of six Listening Sessions across the country on disability employment and San Francisco is one of the tour cities!

San Francisco, CA
February 16, 2010
Open to residents of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Guam

Registration and Comment Period: January 16 - February 18, 2010

These sessions seek input particularly from:

• Individuals & Consumers: youth and adults with disabilities, parents and caregivers.
• Employers: public and private.
• Service Providers & Advocacy Organizations: Independent Living Centers, One-Stop Career Centers, and State Rehabilitation.

ODEP Assistant Secretary Kathleen Martinez is spearheading the 2010 ODEP Listening Tour to gain rich insights into both systemic barriers and best practices to obtain input in three key areas:

1. More effective ways to increase employment of women, Veterans and minorities with disabilities;
2. Identification of Federal and state systems that are effectively collaborating to achieve successful employment outcomes for people with disabilities; and
3. Three top issues on which the Federal government should focus to support an increase in labor force participation of people with disabilities.

For more information: http://www.disabilitylisteningtour.com/

Resource of the Week

Assistive Technology: Opening Doors to Independence Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2G1U6U3zh8

Assistive technology is any thing or any tool that can make life easier and increase independence for people with disabilities. It includes a wide range of tools. From simple magnifiers to complex computers, assistive technology can make a world of difference.
Across California, there are many resources for learning more about Assistive Technology.

This short 6-minute video is from the Parents Helping Parents iTECH Center in Santa Clara demonstrates how assistive technology can make things easier for all types of people across their lifespan.

The video was produced by the CA Department of Rehabilitation, The Alliance for Technology Access and the ATNetwork.

For more questions about assistive technology, contact your Disability Program Navigator at disabilityprogramnavigator@gmail.com.