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.

Resource of the Week

Accessible Attitudes: Disability Etiquette for One Stop Staff
http://www.employ-ability.org/one-stop/begnoblequest2.asp

This handbook presents guidelines for One-Stop staff on how to communicate effectively with persons with disabilities. Guidelines are consistent with practices endorsed by recognized disability advocates and also comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

However, with over 50 million Americans with disabilities, there are differing opinions on what is offensive or correct. It's important to not only follow what is legal or politically correct, but truly take into account the feelings and needs of each individual.

Includes: Customer Service Etiquette; Service Animal Etiquette; Service to Persons with Specific Disabilities; and a Glossary of Acceptable Terms.

This handbook was developed by EmployABILITY, a program of the City of Los Angeles Community Development Department in collaboration with the Los Angeles City Workforce Investment Board. The mission of EmployABILITY is to create career empowerment for persons with disabilities. Learn more at: http://www.employ-ability.org/index1.html.

This and other resources on disability etiquette are located in the Disability Resource Library. Questions about how to access the library? Contact disabilityprogramnavigator@gmail.com.

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.