Impact of the New ADA for People with Major Illness

Check out this interesting article from the Workplace Fairness blog:

The Potential Impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act on Individuals with Disease
http://www.todaysworkplace.org/2009/07/20/the-potential-impact-of-the-americans-with-disabilities-act-on-individuals-with-disease/

Resource of the Week

Creating a Roadmap out of Poverty for Americans with Disabilities
http://www.dol.gov/odep/documents/197953_DeptLabor.pdf


A Report on the Relationship of the Employment and Training Administration's Workforce Development System and Local Asset-Building Coalitions. New strategies are being pioneered across the country that address both the challenges of advancing employment options for individuals with disabilities. Collaboration between One-Stop Career Centers, the Disability Program Navigators (DPNs) and Asset Building Coalitions are reaching out to low-income workers with disabilities to help them to utilize the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), financial education, and other savings and asset building options. This report focuses on three cities that have greatly assisted people with disabilities to: Break down barriers to employment; Understand the benefits available through tax credits and tax deductions; Obtain free tax preparation; and begin the journey to self-sufficiency.

Resource of the Week

One Stops often need to help participants find local services, shelters, clinics or counseling. Making these referrals requires an up-to-date directory. This week's RESOURCE includes three good choices you can use.

San Francisco Community Services Directory
http://sflib1.sfpl.org:83/search
A comprehensive listing of community organizations and the services they provide to people in San Francisco. Search for local resources by keyword, subject, or neighborhood. Maintained by the SF Public Library. All info is updated at least once per year. Also available in Spanish.

San Francisco Homeless Resource Wiki
http://sfhomeless.wikia.com/wiki/San_Francisco_Homeless_Resource
This site provides online access to the Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP) Resource Manual, commonly referred to as SF's "resource Bible." It includes a near-complete list of shelters, food programs, health clinics and other resources for homeless, low-income and disabled residents. Start searching by clicking: "Categories Displayed By Subject." The online manual is jointly managed by HAP, Revival Ministry, Local Parks Council and the Local Homeless Coordinating Board. Users can submit their own edits and additions.

California 2-1-1
http://www.211bayarea.org/search.php
2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number connecting people with important community services, including transportation, emergency and healthcare options for people with disabilities. 2-1-1 phone service is free, confidential and available in over 150 languages. You can also search the database online. Maintained by the United Way.

Resource of the Week

Following up on last week's legal requirements training for One Stops, this week's RESOURCE provides more detailed information on the ADA Amendments Act (effective Jan. 1, 2009).

Accommodation and Compliance Series:
The ADA Amendments Act of 2008
http://www.jan.wvu.edu/bulletins/adaaa1.htm

On January 1, 2009, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 2008 went into effect, making some major changes to the way the definition of disability has been interpreted in the past. This publication from the Job Accommodation Network covers what you need to know about the amended ADA, accessibility in your One Stop, compliance among local employers, and participants' right to reasonable accommodations.

Download a PDF version here.


Related resource:
Notice Concerning The ADA Amendments Act of 2008

See also, the free seminar hosted by Goodwill on ADA Title 24 compliance. July 17 at 10am or 1pm. RSVP to business-services@sfgoodwill.org.

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

Resource of the Week

Announcing the new RESOURCE OF THE WEEK service for One Stops. Each week we will highlight a new 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!

Social Security 2009 Red Book
http://www.ssa.gov/redbook/index.html

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.

Available in English and Spanish.
Download as a PDF.

We have print copies available if you
email disabilityprogramnavigator@gmail.com

Developmentally Disabled and Out of Work | The California Report

Developmentally Disabled and Out of Work | The California Report on KQED

Posted using ShareThis

Quarterly Training Series Launches

We're happy to confirm that our quarterly trainings will begin with a workshop on "WIA Section 188, Non-discrimination and Equal Opportunity Requirements."

We can assure this legal issues workshop won't bore you with legalese. It will equip you with important skills and give staff a chance to think through practical examples. Trainer Kim Lucero of the Employment Training Network (Capacity Building Unit) is dynamic and experienced in working with One Stops around the state.

Staff will have two chances to participate: June 30 or July 1, 2009
The training will run 10am-3pm each day.
RSVP to Amy or Patrick.

Read the training description here.

More about the new DPN

Greetings One Stops! I am writing to officially introduce myself as the new Disability Program Navigator. For those of you I have not met in person, I wanted to take a moment to say hello, and to introduce myself a little more fully.

I am a librarian and information specialist with 12 years experience working in public service and social justice nonprofits. Most recently I served as the lead researcher for Disability Access Services at Oakland Public Library, and as a reference librarian in Contra Costa County. Prior to that I was Associate Director of the Center for Media Justice for seven years.

I am excited to be joining the SF One Stop team and am happy to help you find and organize the resources you need. If you have a question, email me or instant message me using G-Chat at: disabilityprogramnavigator [ at ] gmail

-- From Amy S.

San Francisco's new DPN

I am excited to announce San Francisco's new DPN Librarian Consultant: Amy Sonnie. Amy's first day with CVE is Monday May 18, 2009. We will be scheduling meetings with all One Stop staff to introduce her.
Please call Patrick Regan and 415-544-0424 if you have any questions.