Resource of the Week

Leading Practices on Disability Inclusion

http://usbln.org/index.html

The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) embraces the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the labor force and marketplace; assists in career preparation for and employment of people with disabilities, improves customer experiences for people with disabilities, and promotes the certification and growth of disability-owned business.

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

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.

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

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.

Resource of the Week

Disability Etiquette Basics
http://www.onestops.info/subcategory.php?subcat_id=402

The National Center on Workforce and Disability developed 10 web pages which provide a basic and thorough introduction to disability etiquette, including:

• strategies for interpersonal communication tailored to specific disabilities
  
• what to do/not do during an interview
• guide to respectful language

The disabilities addressed include:

• Blind, low-vision
• Deaf and hard of hearing
• Mental illness
• Speech impairment
• Wheelchair use
• Mobility impairment
• Mental retardation
• and more!

Take a few minutes today to browse the resources on this website. You will be sure to learn something new that will help you develop genuine and respectful relationships with clients with disabilities.

This and other resources on disability etiquette are always available in the Disability Resource Library, powered by Zoho Creator.

Questions about how to access the library? Contact the Disability Program Navigator at disabilityprogramnavigator@gmail.com.

Resource of the Week

An Introduction to Disability Etiquette

https://admin.acrobat.com/_a203284292/disabilityetiquette/

For the next month, the DPN blog will focus on resources about disability etiquette. Disability etiquette is a set of best practices that can help foster gracious and informed relationships among people of all abilities.

The first resource is a 12-minute web presentation from the National Business & Disability Council which gives an overview of disability etiquette for employers and their employees.

Laura Francis, Coordinator of Information Services for the National Business & Disability Council, narrates the PowerPoint-style presentation. A written script accompanys each slide, which makes the presentation easy to follow. It covers a range of disabilities, including:

• Blindness or Visual Impairment


• Deaf or Hard of Hearing


• Mobility Disabilities


• Speech Disabilities

Feedback? Questions? Contact the DPN at disabilityprogramnavigator@gmail.com.

Resource of the Week

This week's RESOURCE focuses on the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) for employers. These links will get you started and the DPN will soon put together a one-page resource guide with information on other business tax incentives. Please let us know if there's specific information on this topic you'd like to be included.

Overview
There are three federal tax incentives available to help employers cover the cost of accommodations for employees with disabilities and to make their places of business accessible for employees and/or customers with disabilities. Read about them here. (http://www.dor.ca.gov/workplace/recruit.htm)

Work Opportunity Tax Credit
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) provides a tax credit of up to $9,000 for employers who hire individuals who belong to one or more of the nine target groups specified in the law. The Small Business and Work Opportunity Act of 2007 extended the WOTC Program through August 31, 2011.

Employer brochures, forms and publications
http://www.edd.ca.gov/Jobs_and_Training/WOTC_Forms_and_Publications.htm

Persons qualified under WOTC
http://www.edd.ca.gov/Jobs_and_Training/WOTC_Target_Groups.htm