Texas Rehabilitation Association Weblog

EEOC's Regulations for ADA Amendments Act

2011-03-31T14:46:00.001-05:00

WASHINGTON, DC--
EEOC's formal publication of regulations implementing ADA Amendments Act have been published in the Federal Register, and are available here:
HTML: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-03-25/html/2011-6056.htm

PDF: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-03-25/pdf/2011-6056.pdf (40 pages)

EEOC also released several guidance documents when they announced the regulations yesterday and the text was made available on the Public Inspection Desk of the Federal Register.

PRESS RELEASE

March 24, 2011

EEOC Announces Final Bipartisan Regulations for the ADA Amendments Act Regulations Implement Congressional Intent to Simplify Definition of Disability

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) final regulations to implement the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) are now available for public view on the Federal Register website at www.ofr.gov. The regulations will be published Friday. Like the law they implement, the regulations are designed to simplify the determination of who has a "disability" and make it easier for people to establish that they are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

"The ADAAA is a very important civil rights law," said EEOC Chair Jacqueline A. Berrien. "The regulations developed by the Commission to implement the ADAAA clarify the requirements of the law for all stakeholders, which is one of the Commission's most important responsibilities.

"Based on the hard work we did at the Commission over the past months, I am confident that these regulations will work well for both people with disabilities and employers," said Commissioner Chai Feldblum, who joined the EEOC in April, 2010. "It was our job as an agency to carry out the intent of this landmark law and I believe we have done so successfully." Feldblum was one of the lead negotiators on the original ADA as well as on the Amendments Act.

"Just as the ADAAA was the result of a considerable bipartisan effort by Congress, the final rule represents a concerted effort of EEOC Commissioners representing both parties to arrive at regulations that hold true to that bipartisan Congressional intent," said Commissioner Constance S. Barker. "I was pleased to have been able to vote in favor of the final rule."

The ADAAA went into effect on Jan. 1, 2009. In the ADAAA, Congress directed the EEOC to revise its regulations to conform to changes made by the Act, and expressly authorized the EEOC to do so. The EEOC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on proposed implementing regulations on September 23, 2009, and received well over 600 public comments in response. The final regulations reflect the feedback the EEOC received from a broad spectrum of stakeholders.

The ADAAA overturned several Supreme Court decisions that Congress believed had interpreted the definition of "disability" too narrowly, resulting in a denial of protection for many individuals with impairments such as cancer, diabetes or epilepsy. The ADAAA states that the definition of disability should be interpreted in favor of broad coverage of individuals. The effect of these changes is to make it easier for an individual seeking protection under the ADA to establish that he or she has a disability within the meaning of the ADA.

The ADAAA and the final regulations keep the ADA's definition of the term "disability" as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; a record (or past history) of such an impairment; or being regarded as having a disability. But the law made significant changes in how those terms are interpreted, and the regulations implement those changes.

Based on the statutory requirements, the regulations set forth a list of principles to guide the determination of whether a person has a disability. For example, the principles provide that an impairment need not prevent or severely or significantly restrict performance of a major life activity to be considered a disability. Additionally, whether an impairment is a disability should be construed broadly, to the maximum extent allowable under the law. The principles also provide that, with one exception (ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses), "mitigating measures," such as medication and assistive devices like hearing aids, must not be considered when determining whether someone has a disability. Furthermore, impairments that are episodic (such as epilepsy) or in remission (such as cancer) are disabilities if they would be substantially limiting when active.

The regulations clarify that the term "major life activities" includes "major bodily functions," such as functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, and brain, neurological, and endocrine functions. The regulations also make clear that, as under the old ADA, not every impairment will constitute a disability. The regulations include examples of impairments that should easily be concluded to be disabilities, such as HIV infection, diabetes, epilepsy, and bipolar disorder.

Following the dictates of the ADAAA, the regulations also make it easier for individuals to establish coverage under the "regarded as" part of the definition of "disability." Establishing such coverage used to pose significant hurdles, but under the new law, the focus is on how the person was treated rather than on what an employer believes about the nature of the person's impairment.

The Commission has released two Question-and-Answer documents about the regulations to aid the public and employers - including small business - in understanding the law and new regulations. The ADAAA regulations, accompanying Question and Answer documents and a fact sheet are available on the EEOC website at www.eeoc.gov/. The EEOC enforces the nation's laws prohibiting employment discrimination. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov.

ANNUAL TRCEA CONFERENCE

2011-03-09T12:37:00.000-06:00

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! ANNUAL TRCEA CONFERENCE: March 31-April 1

"Celebrating Meeting the Challenges of Social Change"

TRA Board Meeting: April 2

Tyler, Texas

TRA Members,
Make your plans to attend the Annual TRCEA Conference. It promises to be a good one. TRCEA will be offering 11 CEU's for the conference. Deadline for reservations at the Staybridge Suites is March 17, 2011.

The next TRA Board Meeting will immediately follow the TRCEA Conference on Saturday, April 2, 2011, from 9:00 am until 1:00 PM at the Tyler DARS office located at 3800 PALUXY DRIVE SUITE 325 TYLER, TX. The Staybridge Suites will extend the conference room rates through Friday night for those of us who wish to stay at the same hotel we are using for the TRCEA conference.

Commissioner Ruttledge Testifies Before Senate HELP Committee

2011-03-09T12:35:00.000-06:00

On March 2, 2001, RSA Commissioner Lynnae Ruttledge, ADD Commissioner Sharon Lewis, and others testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on improving the employment outcomes for individuals with intellectual disabilities. In her remarks, Commissioner Ruttledge described VR program data on transition-age youths, state VR agency emerging practices and current research and demonstration activities. Taken together, you may extract sufficient data and documentation from these presentations to develop your own materials that could be used in your states to promote improving the achievement of employment outcomes for transition-age youths. You may either view the presentations or read the text at the link below.
http://help.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/?id=536891af-5056-9502-5d9c-9a3e588e3214

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION RELEASES ‘EDUCATOR TOOLKIT’ FOR THE 2011 NATIONAL FINANCIAL CAPABILITY CHALLENGE

2011-02-23T12:07:00.001-06:00

WASHINGTON – The Obama Administration has released a new “educator toolkit” with lesson plans that teachers can use to help students prepare for the upcoming 2011 National Financial Capability Challenge. The Challenge, which will include a voluntary online exam for high school students that begins as of March 7, helps teach young Americans about saving, budgeting, investing, and other important skills critical to building a strong financial future. The highest scoring students on the exam will be recognized through a national awards ceremony in Washington, DC and other high-scorers will receive official award certificates.

“Empowering students with the knowledge they need to make smart financial choices about saving, budgeting, and investing for the future is good for the long-term strength of our economy,” said Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. “It will help ensure that young people have the skills they need to achieve financial security, and that will help us continue to build this recovery on a strong and sustainable foundation.” “Our students need to graduate high school ready for college and career if they’re going to compete in a global economy,” said U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan. “Incorporating financial literacy, through Treasury’s online educator toolkit or other significant learning materials, will encourage students to make smart long-term investments, such as preparing to pay for college.”

The educator toolkit, which is available online now at http://www.challenge.treas.gov/toolkit, covers five core competencies of financial education: earning, spending, saving, borrowing, and protecting against risk. It includes a collection of lesson plans from the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and non-profit organizations that are designed to help teach students important financial skills, such as developing a personal spending plan, balancing checking and savings accounts, understanding the costs of benefits of buying insurance, using credit wisely, minimizing exposure to identity theft, and making smart investments in their future through education.

Additionally, for the first time, this year’s educator toolkit will include interactive online lessons and Spanish-language materials. The toolkit can be used not only to help prepare students for the Challenge’s online exam, but also for year-round classroom instruction on financial capability.

More than 76,000 students and 2,500 educators in all 50 states participated in last school year's National Financial Capability Challenge. This year’s exam will be available online between March 7 and April 8, 2011. Educators can administer the exam to their students at any time during that window. To register for the Challenge, educators should visit http://www.challenge.treas.gov between now and April 8.

The Challenge is one of many important steps the Obama Administration has taken to help empower Americans through improved financial capability. In November, the Administration unveiled a new coordinated National Strategy for Financial Literacy to help guide the ongoing efforts of the federal government and private organizations to empower Americans with the financial skills they need to strengthen their long-term economic security and stability. Additionally, the Administration established the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability to provide advice on how to maximize the effectiveness of existing private and public sector efforts, and to identify new approaches to increase financial capability.

CCD Launches Working Group on Financial Security

2011-02-16T14:42:00.000-06:00

NRA-- After two years of managing an ad-hoc task force on behalf of the Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) to promote public policy strategies focused on asset building and savings, the National Disability Institute is pleased to announce that CCD has agreed to establish a permanent working group within its existing organizational structure to focus on public policy reform that promotes the economic advancement of citizens with disabilities.

The CCD Working Group on Financial Security will be co-chaired by Dr. Johnette Hartnett, Director of Research & Strategic Partnerships for NDI and Director of the Real Economic Impact Tour ( http://www.reitour.org/ ). The working group will meet quarterly in 2011 and will tackle issues related to financial literacy, planning and education; tax incentives for workers with disabilities; and asset building strategies to foster greater economic advancement among citizens with disabilities.

Organizations who are current members of the CCD and are interested in participating in this new working group should contact Johnette Hartnett at jhartnett@ndi-inc.org

WIA & Rehab Act Reauthorization Moves Forward in Senate

2011-02-16T14:40:00.000-06:00

WIA & Rehab Act Reauthorization Moves Forward in Senate with Introduction Anticipated by Easter - House Leadership Plans Unclear

NRA-- Despite the fiscal challenges facing the Congress, the Senate HELP Committee is moving forward in its quest to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act and the Rehabilitation Act collectively in 2011. With an internal goal to introduce the reauthorization package by Easter and bring to the Senate floor before the August recess, Senate HELP Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) remains strong in his resolve to see the critically important employment and training programs established through these two landmark statutes reauthorized in the 112th Congress. The reauthorization package is predicted to also include important amendments to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to decrease the use of subminimum wage practices in the hiring of citizens with significant disabilities, specifically youth with significant disabilities transitioning from high school to adulthood.

Need Ethics CEU?

2011-02-07T15:02:00.002-06:00

Rehabilitation Ethics Online Course

The emphasis of this online course is on real ethical dilemmas provided by people working in the field of vocational rehabilitation. Participants share an ethical dilemma and work through it using the relevant content provided in the course and the assistance of other participants. This approach allows participants to learn about other dilemmas faced in the profession and share their experience to help others. Participants also will explore their own values and perceptions of ethics to determine how that affects their ethical behavior.

Units:

Basics of ethics and ethical principals
Focus on the new CRC Code of Professional Ethics effective January 1, 2010
Ethical decision making models
A discussion of "microaggressions" to promote more culturally sensitive ethical behaviors (only for the 10 hour section)

Participants will work through these three content areas which will be provided in writing or in interactive Flash tutorials. Discussion activities include: reflect on personal values; present and find a resolution for an ethical dilemma; and examine code changes about confidentiality, forensic rehabilitation, receiving gifts, or the impact of technology. Most of the time spent on the course will involve writing responses to discussion activities and reading/responding to others' messages.

The overall objective for this training is to increase sensitivity to ethical problems that are work related and to enhance the practitioners' ethical reasoning ability. Thus, the content of this course will focus primarily on ethical awareness and ethical reasoning.

To accommodate as many people as possible, we offer two options:

5 hour option: This is for individuals who already have some ethics credits completed and only need a few more.
10 hour option: This is for individuals who want to complete all of their ethics credits at once. This course fulfills CRC's entire ethics requirement.

Dates: February 10 - March 17, 2011

Location: Online

_______________________

2011 Line-Up of Online Courses

From Apples to Androids: Using Cool New Technology to Create Consumer Buy-In - Anticipated start date in March 2011
Physical Disabilities - March 10 - April 21, 2011
Psychiatric Disabilities - April 21 - May 26, 2011

· See more information about each course on our website.

New Research to Practice Brief: Youth with Autism in VR

2011-02-05T15:21:00.000-06:00

FROM COMMUNITY INCLUSION: As increasing numbers of youth with autism are accessing Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services, it is important to understand how they are using these services and the relationship of these services to outcomes and costs. A new Research to Practice Brief explores the differences in VR services received by youth with autism compared to youth with other disabilities. Researchers identify services that are most closely associated with an employment outcome for youth with autism, and determine what percentage of people from this group are receiving these successful services.

Major findings show that youth with autism are more likely than youth from other disability groups to receive assessment, job-placement, and on-the-job support services, and that receipt of services such as these are associated with an employment outcome. This New Research to Practice Brief can be downloaded at: http://www.communityinclusion.org/article.php?article_id=309

NCCDP Alzheimer's and Dementia Staff Education Week Feb 14th to 21st

2011-02-05T15:16:00.000-06:00

Abuse and Neglect are key issues in health care settings and private homes. The NCCDP strongly believes in the power of education to combat abuse and neglect. We need your help and assistance in forwarding the attached press release to people within your organization who provide in-services, training or distributes information. This is for NCCDP Alzheimer's and Dementia Staff Education Week Feb 14th to 21st. We are providing a Free tool kit, Free Power Point In-services on many topics, and nomination forms for Nurse Educator of the year. You do not need to be a member of the NCCDP to download this information. The free tool kit and free in-services are located at www.nccdp.org and is only available until March 1st 2011.

Visit: www.nccdp.org nationalccdp@aol.com

877 729 5191 Toll Free 973 896 1877 Direct Line

973 729 1560 Fax number

U Of A Currents is announcing a new class April 2011

2011-01-06T10:44:00.000-06:00

"Multiculturalism and Disabilities " Presented by Melinda Masters.

April 4, 6, 8, 2011, 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. CSTDescription: This course will explore the concept of culture and expanded definitions of multiculturalism. Our society tends to be both tolerant and yet excluding of people and groups who participate in and are from different cultures. Various disabilities will be discussed as each relates to the model of cultural health. An examination of culture shock as it applies to disabilities and multiculturalism will be presented.
View (and register!) for all our 2010 teleclasses at: http://www.rcep6.org/bridgeworks/Default.aspx

Kelly Campbell, University of Arkansas CURRENTS

501/623-7700 Ext 19 office OR 501/624-6250 fax

http://www.uacurrents.org/
501.623.7700

Message From 2011 TRA President Stanfill

2011-01-03T11:17:00.000-06:00

TRA Members/Officers –

As I reflect on the busy and productive year we just completed under our out-going 2010 TRA President, Dr. Shawn Saladin, I realize that I have some large shoes to fill as incoming TRA President. I also know that it was only through the hard work and commitment of our membership that any of our goals were/are met. I am asking you all, the veterans who have kept TRA moving forward all of these years as well as the newer members whose fresh ideas and vitality help keep us progressive in our purpose, to work with me this year.

Some important dates and 2011 objectives I want you to please keep in mind are:

1) National and State legislatures will begin the year dealing with budget issues that will directly impact VR services and the disabled community. TRAN/TRA is working together again on these issues to ensure that our voices are heard at both governmental levels and to show our support for the various VR programs that must continue moving forward in 2011.

2) We also start 2011 with a very important and unique two (2) day Board meeting and workshop at TLC in Galveston which will be the first ever joint TRA/TRAN Board meeting. Incoming TRAN President, Greg Mason, is as committed as I am to seeing our two great organizations working together, sharing ideas and implementing statewide activities for the betterment of our profession and for the lives of the disabled community that we serve.

3) Commissioner Murphy has retired and a search is on for a replacement which will be hard to equal.

4) Grants and Scholarships Committee has been revitalized under the direction of Susan Reed. Susan already issued one monetary award late last year and we are looking forward to helping those clients with needs that cannot be met elsewhere with financial support in 2011.

5) Our 2011 TRA Conference will be at the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio on June 26th through the 28th and it is shaping up to one of our best ever.

6) With our veteran TRA leader, Bob Cox, now serving as NRA Treasurer, we are receiving some much overdue attention from NRA. There is serious discussion ongoing about bringing the 2012 NRA conference to San Antonio! I still say this is a first but others tell me they recall a national conference in Dallas many years ago. Maybe so but this remains a big deal for Texas and one that I support and hope you do too.

As you can see, our plate is full in 2011 and we can only accomplish these goals if you participate. 2009 TRA President Paul McCollum, is looking for a few more people willing to serve on the TRA Board or as Officers. Please step up and show your support for TRA and our 2011 goals by letting him know that you are willing to help. We are looking at making our Board meetings more travel friendly and may even attempt participation by teleconferencing and/or video-conferencing as necessary.

My best wishes to you and your families in this upcoming year. Let’s all work together to make 2011 an outstanding year in Texas.

Wallace A. Stanfill, Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services

713-896-6902 Office

713-851-3256 Cell

713-896-0011 Fax

United Airlines Settles EEOC Disability Discrimination Suit

2011-01-03T11:09:00.000-06:00

Federal Agency Obtains Policy Changes and $600,000 for Reservation Agents With Disabilities

SEATTLE — United Airlines has agreed to settle a federal lawsuit alleging that the company violated the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) when it refused to allow employees with disabilities to work reduced hourly schedules as a reasonable accommodation, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced today.

In addition to paying $600,000 to a group of reservation agents with disabilities, United will end its blanket policy against reduced hourly schedules and provide training to staffers who administer United’s reasonable accommodation process, according to the terms of a three-year consent decree approved by the court (EEOC v. United Airlines, C-06-01407 TSZ).

Prior to 2003, United had permitted reservations sales and service representatives to work reduced hourly schedules as an accommodation for employees’ various disabilities, including multiple sclerosis, DeQuervain’s tendonitis and carpal tunnel, and myasthenia gravis (a muscle condition). By suddenly abolishing its long-standing practice and policy of providing reduced hourly schedules, United required all reservation sales and service representatives who could not work their full bid schedules to either retire or go out on extended leave, and then terminated them when their leave ran out. These policies and practices violate the ADA, the EEOC said.

One worker who had worked for United for 25 years and had worked a reduced-hour schedule for 23 years prior to the policy change, said, “Contributing 25 years of work, in a way compatible with my health, was positive for me, for United and for society. A sweeping policy that disregards individual circumstances doesn’t give someone like me a chance to do my job. I took my case to the EEOC, and I'm glad to know that United is going to stop its blanket policy on work hours.”

The ADA protects individuals with disabilities from employment discrimination and requires employers to make reasonable accommodations to employees and applicants with disabilities, unless the accommodation would create an undue hardship. After a neutral investigation conducted by the EEOC’s Honolulu and Seattle offices and after first attempting to reach a voluntary settlement through conciliation, the EEOC filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.

EEOC San Francisco Regional Attorney William R. Tamayo said, “United conceived of this policy as a cost-cutting measure -- a means of tightening the belt. However, this action did not lessen any monetary strain for the company or boost the department’s performance. Thinking creatively and flexibly to retain skilled and experienced workers would be a better survival strategy for companies than stereotyping workers with disabilities as expensive and expendable.”

EEOC San Francisco District Director Michael Baldonado noted, “Decisions regarding reasonable accommodations for a disability must be made on a case-by-case basis. A blanket policy that takes options off the table by setting minimum work hours not only violates the ADA, but it also may have a negative impact on the company’s morale, productivity and bottom line.”

According to www.united.com, United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAUA) is one of the largest international carriers based in the United States, with 52,000 employees worldwide and operating nearly 3,000 flights a day to more than 200 domestic and international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further information about the EEOC is available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov.

Cheryl Bates-Harris

NDRN

900 2nd Street NE, suite 211

Washington, DC 20002

202-408-9514 x 117

Fax 202-408-9520

Cheryl.Bates-Harris@ndrn.org

__._,_.___

JetBlue Violated Air Carrier Access Act Rules

2010-12-14T10:36:00.001-06:00

FROM DISABILITY.GOV--
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today assessed a civil penalty against JetBlue Airways for violating rules protecting air travelers with disabilities. DOT’s rules implementing the Air Carrier Access Act require airlines to provide assistance to passengers with disabilities in boarding and deplaning aircraft, including the use of wheelchairs, ramps, mechanical lifts or service personnel where needed. A review of complaints about the treatment of passengers with disabilities filed with the airline and with DOT showed violations of the requirement to provide this kind of assistance to travelers with disabilities.

For more information visit this link: http://www.disability.gov/transportation/laws_%26_regulations

White House Begins Monthly Disability Issues Calls

2010-11-30T13:17:00.002-06:00

White House Disability Group
mailto:disability@messages.whitehouse.gov]
MONTHLY DISABILITY CALL

In order to help keep you more informed, the White House Disability Group is beginning in December to host monthly calls to update you on various disability issues as well as to introduce you to persons who work on disability issues in the federal government.

Our first call will be this Friday, December 3, at 11:00 AM Eastern.

The conference call information is below.

Dial in: (800) 230-1092

Title: Disability Call (use instead of code)

Date of Call: 12/03/10

Start Time: 11:00 AM Eastern

For live captioning, at time of call, log onto:
http://www.fedrcc.us/Enter.aspx?EventID=1663465&CustomerID=321

The White House * 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW * Washington DC 20500 *
202-456-1111

Disability.gov Technology News & Events Update

2010-11-29T10:27:00.001-06:00

FROM DISABILITY.GOV-- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that it plans to upgrade the capabilities of the 9-1-1 emergency system by allowing texting, video streaming and data sharing as part of the National Broadband Plan's Next Generation 9-1-1.

Many people, particularly those with disabilities, depend on texting as their primary means of communication. In some emergency situations -- especially in circumstances where a call could further jeopardize someone’s life and safety -- texting is the only way to reach out for help.

For more information visit: http://www.disability.gov/technology/news_%26_events

Federal Conference on TBI

2010-11-17T15:39:00.001-06:00

Interagency Conference on Traumatic Brain Injury
JUNE 13-15, 2011Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave NW , Washington DC
www.tbi-interagency-conference.org

You’re invited! Please plan to join us for the third Federal Interagency Conference on Traumatic Brain Injury in June, 2011. We will seek to surpass the outstanding success of the first two, held in 1999 and 2006. The Interagency Conference on TBI, sponsored by a consortium of federal agencies and advocacy groups, brings together clinicians, researchers, consumers, and policy makers to share cutting-edge advances in TBI research and clinical care.
What’s new for 2011? For the first time, the Federal Interagency Conference brings together civilian and military agencies, including the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration in addition to the National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research, the National Institutes of Health, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and other leading federal players in research and clinical care for TBI.

The Third Federal Interagency Conference will feature outstanding speakers and symposia on a wide variety of topics within several broad themes:
· Effective Practices for Community Integration
· Seminal Advances in TBI Research
· The Promise of Technology
Important Dates
June 1, 2010 – December 31, 2010: On-line call for proposals open at the conference website
July 1, 2010: On-line conference registration and hotel reservations open – register early for big savings! Matriculated graduate students and individuals enrolled in formal post doctoral training programs are eligible for a reduced conference fee of $350.
July 1, 2010 – January 15, 2011: Registration is $500
January 16, 2011 – March 15, 2011: Registration is $575
March 16, 2011 – conference dates: Registration is $650

Pacific Rim International Conference on Disabilities

2010-11-17T15:37:00.001-06:00

Pacific Rim International Conference on Disabilities
“Humanity:Equality anDiversity”
April 18 & 19, 2011 • Honolulu, HI: Hawai‘i Convention Center

2011 Call for Proposals is Now Open for the 27th Pacific Rim International Conference on Disabilities. In the tradition of Pac Rim, the 2011 conference will visit familiar themes and explore new directions—Exploration and Innovation. We are truly excited about 2011; we hope you will be too. Continue this extraordinary journey with us as we deepen our commitment to advancing inclusion, equality and diversity.

With over 16 topic areas, pre and post conference forums, including the International Forum on the Rights of People with Disabilities, we anticipate a rich dialogue and an exchange of best practices, research, methodology, and advocacy initiatives. With your participation, this can happen. Proposals are being accepted in all formats.

National Council on Disability Welcomes New Executive Director Aaron Bishop

2010-10-26T11:45:00.001-05:00

WASHINGTON—National Council on Disability (NCD) Chairman Jonathan Young, announced today that Aaron Bishop of Washington, DC, will become NCD’s new Executive Director on November 15. NCD is an independent federal agency charged with advising the President, Congress, and other federal officials and entities on all policies, programs, practices and procedures affecting people with disabilities. NCD’s mission is to further the goals enshrined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990: equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living and economic self-sufficiency for all people with disabilities.

According to Young, “NCD is delighted to have selected Aaron Bishop as its new Executive Director. Mr. Bishop, a well-respected disability advocate in his own right, comes to NCD directly from the United States Senate, where he has been on the Hill since 2003 and top disability policy adviser to Wyoming Senator Michael Enzi, who is the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions since 2005. His legislative background and disability expertise will be a very nice addition to the NCD staff. We look forward to working with Mr. Bishop. He holds great promise for NCD.”

New NRCA Capitol Insider Announcements

2010-10-26T11:44:00.000-05:00

Disability Rights Publication

Disability Rights Online News is the Department of Justice’s monthly newsletter covering civil rights developments across the country. The September issue includes summaries of ADA, Fair Housing, and National Voting Rights Act cases. See: http://www.ada.gov/disabilitynews.htm.

Disability Research Website

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched a new website for the Center of Excellence for Research on Disability Services, Care Coordination and Integration. In May 2010, Office on Disability in HHS awarded Mathematica Policy Research Inc. a two–year, $7 million contract, funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), to establish the center. The Center seeks to: identify and review evidence on effective services and care models; develop and prioritize critical research questions ; create unique linked datasets to help research these question; establish criteria and standards for assessing the effectiveness of services and models; and conduct original research that applies these standards. The Center’s website can be found at: http://www.hhs.gov/disabilityresearch/index.html.

Education Commemoration

This November, in honor of the 35th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) will host a celebration in Washington, D.C. OSERS is seeking input from people who have had a personal experience with IDEA or have witnessed its impact. As part of their celebration, OSERS is welcoming stories, poetry, photography, art work and video clips from individuals with disabilities , students, teachers, principals, researchers, parents, teacher trainers and others across the country for possible inclusion during the celebration. Submissions will be accepted through November 8, 2010 via: https://www.osep-meeting.org/idea35th/.

Guide on Supporting Career Development of Youth with LD

2010-09-29T14:18:00.000-05:00

NCWD/Youth released Charting the Course: Supporting the Career Development of Youth with Learning Disabilities. This Guide is intended to help practitioners, administrators, and policymakers in secondary and postsecondary education programs, transition programs, One-Stop Career Centers, youth employment programs, and community rehabilitation programs to improve services and outcomes for youth, ages 14 to 25, with diagnosed and undiagnosed learning disabilities.

This Guide includes numerous quick reference charts, tables, and tools for counselors, career advisors, and other professionals who work directly with youth. In-depth information is provided on a variety of topics, including the types and impact of learning disabilities, needed supports, and research-based interventions. This Guide is intended to increase awareness of the fact that the workforce development system serves many youth who have learning disabilities that may never have been identified and many others who may know they have a learning disability but choose not to disclose.

Although focusing primarily on youth with learning disabilities, many of the strategies and approaches advocated in this Guide, which are premised on universal design, may be of practical use for other youth.
Access the Guide and learn more at http://www.ncwd-youth.info/ld-guide.

ODEP Announces $1 Million Funding

2010-09-29T14:17:00.000-05:00

The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) announced that it will fund the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) at the level of $1 Million for another year. This year marks the 10th year of ODEP's support for NCWD/Youth.

"Focusing on transition-age youth is an important part of addressing the under-representation of people with disabilities in the labor force," said Kathleen Martinez, Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Office of Disability Employment Policy. "Many youth with disabilities still don't have access to age-appropriate experiences, especially when it comes to work. We are working to change this at ODEP."Read the press release at http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP20101165.htm

NRA Conference Agenda Draft

2010-09-10T10:06:00.004-05:00

The 2010 NRA Annual Training Conference DRAFT Agenda as of Sept 8, 2010 is available here!

National Rehabilitation Association

633 South Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-4109
Fax: 703-836-0848
voice: 703-836-0850
www.nationalrehab.org

Gaps in Disaster Prep for People with Disabilities

2010-08-31T15:16:00.001-05:00

FROM THE NRCA CAPITOL INSIDER--
The National Commission on Children and Disasters, appointed by the President in 2007, approved a report to the President and Congress that highlights on-going gaps in disaster preparedness for children since Hurricane Katrina five years ago. Although the report focuses on children, many of the identified gaps and over 100 recommendations pertain to individuals with disabilities as well. For example, the Commission found poor coordination among federal, state, and local programs and lack of preparedness in the private health care system.

The report calls for establishing regional Children's Disaster Coordinators (Regional Disability Coordinator job announcements were recently posted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency); giving priority to the needs of families with children who have disabilities in housing assistance; specifically addressing the evacuation and transportation needs of children with disabilities in congregate care settings, and creating a national data system for keeping track of evacuated children so that they can be reunited with their families.

The final report will be available in early October. For the executive summary of the report, see:
www.childrenanddisasters.acf.hhs.gov

New EEOC Lawsuits

2010-08-31T15:12:00.001-05:00

FROM THE NRCA CAPITOL INSIDER-
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed two employment discrimination lawsuits under title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas in Houston. In the first lawsuit against ENGlobal Engineering, Inc., an energy engineering and professional services company, EEOC alleged the company fired an individual because it regarded him as having a disability. The employer insisted that the employee take a medical leave of absence when he began experiencing symptoms of multiple sclerosis even though he could still work. When the person returned to work with a doctor's clearance, ENGlobal falsely told him his position was no longer available. Three weeks later, the company hired someone else.

In the second employment discrimination lawsuit, EEOC alleged that DynMcDermott Petroleum Operations Company refused to hire someone who had previously worked for the company because his wife had cancer which the company felt would interfere with his ability to do his job. The company later hired someone with no experience for the position. Discrimination based on association with a person who has a disability is prohibited under title I of the ADA.
See EEOC's press release at:
http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/8-26-10.cfm

Special Edition of American Rehabilitation

2010-08-30T14:17:00.003-05:00

This year marks the 90th Anniversary of the public vocational rehabilitation program. Our program has a history of positive, creative change. To help celebrate this important milestone, RSA Commissioner Lynnae Ruttledge requested a Special Edition of the American Rehabilitation publication.

The theme for this publication is ‘Creating a Vision for 2020: Celebrating Our Past, Looking to the Future’. Partners included CSAVR, NIDRR, the ICDR, the ADA Network, and NRA.

Please go to the following link to view the Special Edition of American Rehabilitation: http://www.rehabnetwork.org/ Once there you will find the following versions:
1. The PDF file is the formal version, in full color, with photos, etc.
2. The word file is the accessible word version prepared by Suzanne Mitchell for individuals who cannot access the formal version.

CALL FOR ADARA AWARDS

2010-08-18T09:41:00.003-05:00

Call for Nominations
ADARA AWARDS 2011

ADARA is calling for nominations for Biennial Awards to be presented at the 2011 Conference.

Boyce R. Williams Award is the highest award presented by ADARA in recognition of contributions toward improvement in the rehabilitation of people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Frederick C. Schreiber Award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding
contributions to ADARA.

Eugene W. Petersen Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exemplary direct service provision in the rehabilitation of Deaf adults with additional handicapping conditions.

Legislative Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated contributions related to
legislative activities that benefit Deaf, Late Deafened, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind individuals.

The deadline for all nominations is December, 2010

Nominations are accepted from any member of ADARA. All nominees must be members of ADARA in order to be selected.
All nominations must be submitted to Steve Hamerdinger via email at steve.hamerdinger@mh.alabama.gov , fax to 334.242.3025, or mail to Office of Deaf Services, Alabama Dept of Mental Health, PO Box 3011410, Montgomery, AL 36130.

New CRC Certification Category

2010-07-19T12:50:00.001-05:00

CRCC is pleased to announce it has instituted Category R - a new CRC Exam eligibility category providing increased opportunity for CRC certification. Category R expands certification eligibility through the attainment of a post-graduate advanced certificate or degree in lieu of a second Master's degree in Counseling or Rehabilitation Counseling. Qualified individuals with advanced degrees in thirteen areas of study may be eligible to sit for the CRC Exam upon completion of an integrated program of study focused on rehabilitation counseling coursework and having demonstrated acceptable employment experience. Further details on Category R can be found on pages 9-10 of the CRC Certification Guide.

NRA's CEU OF THE MONTH- JUNE

2010-06-03T09:24:00.001-05:00

National Rehabilitation Association CEU OF THE MONTH

June 2010

HM2025: Transferable Skills Analysis: A Basic Guide to Finding Related Jobs

Use your NRA custom link to receive a 10% discount on all classes

http://www.aaaceus.com/NationalRehab

4 contact hours

Pre-approved for: ABVE, ACM, ASWB (Social Workers), CA BBS , CA BRN, CDMS, CMCN, CPHM, CRC, Florida BON, Ohio SW/Counselor, RNs: ALL STATES. Also appropriate for: COHN/COHN-S, CPUM, CPUR, CRRN

This course presents a time-tested approach and method for completing a TSA. Dr. Field has up-dated the Guide to include valuable information for the vocational expert in Social Security hearings as well as related legal settings. This textbook served as a basis for a presentation to attorneys and judges in the U.S. 5th Circuit of the Federal judiciary. The booklet is well-documented with an excellent bibliography, including relevant court-reported cases involving vocational experts.

Save the Date for RSA Commissioner Event

2010-06-03T09:21:00.001-05:00

NRA announces

"A Conversation With the Commissioner of RSA," The Honorable Lynnae Ruttledge," Wednesday, August 4, 2010, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. (Eastern time).

CEUs/CRCs will be offered as well as individual and/or group rates, the details of which will follow shortly.

It is our privilege to be announcing this important TeleSeminar on the 90th Anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act, one of the most enduring and endearing laws in our country, given the success of the programs, services and supports provided by qualified rehabilitation counselors and personnel who have assisted millions of eligible individuals with disabilities secure both personal and economic independence.

Those of you who have the privilege of working in the public and private rehabilitation field should celebrate the many years of service that you and those who came before you have provided to individuals with disabilities.

So, SAVE THE DATE OF AUGUST 4, 2010,

FOR A CONVERSATION WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF RSA

which we assure you will be both an exhilarating and informative experience with one of the most powerful and respected powerbrokers on the Potomac .

Thank you!
Questions? patricia@nationalrehab.org www.nationalrehab.org

National Rehabilitation Association CEU OF THE MONTH MAY 2010

2010-05-05T09:49:00.000-05:00

National Rehabilitation Association

CEU OF THE MONTH MAY 2010
NL0106R: Models of Disability and Advocacy in Rehabilitation Counseling©

Use your NRA custom link to receive a 10% discount on all classes www.aaaceus.com/NationalRehab

4 contact hours
PRE-APPROVED for 2 hours CRC/CDMS Ethics Credit

Pre-Approved for: ABVE, ACM, ASWB, CA BBS, CA BRN, CCM, CDMS, CLCP, CMCN, CPHM, CRC, Florida BON, NCC (NBCC), Ohio SW/ Counselor, RNs: ALL STATES

Also appropriate for: COHN / COHN-S, CPUM, CPUR, CRRN

Call 1-866-850-5999 for questions or technical difficulties.

OBJECTIVES
1. Define and discuss the three models of disability:
a. The Biomedical Model
b. The Economic Model
c. The Sociopolitical Model

2. Discuss the relevance of incorporating multicultural competency into the definition of advocacy in rehabilitation counseling.

3. Define and discuss various models and definitions of advocacy.

Post Doc Fellowship UMass Transitions RRTC

2010-04-30T10:13:00.000-05:00

A two year post-doctoral position beginning Sept. 1, 2010 is available in the UMass Transitions RRTC. The RRTC conducts research, training, dissemination and technical assistance activities to improve supports for the completion of schooling and training and movement into rewarding work lives in young people, ages 14-30, with serious mental health conditions. The RRTC is affiliated with Center for Mental Health Services Research within the Department of Psychiatry at UMass Medical School and is funded by National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation. For information, please visit:
http://www.umassmed.edu/TransitionsRTC.aspx

Or contact Kathryn Sabella, Project Director of Transitions RRTC: Kathryn.Sabella@umassmed.edu or at (508) 856-5759.

RSA Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards

2010-04-29T13:38:00.000-05:00

The FY 2010 Long Term Training – Rehabilitation Training combined notice for the 84.129 programs is in the Federal Register. This notice invites applications for 10 separate competitions.

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-9508.pdf

NIDRR Grant Competion Opens

2010-04-29T13:37:00.000-05:00

NIDRR announces a competition for a Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Individual Level Characteristics Related to Employment Outcomes Among Individuals With Disabilities; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 84.133B-1.
Applications Available: April 23, 2010.
Date of Pre-Application Meeting: May 20, 2010.
Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 22, 2010.

Full Text of Announcement

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-9500.htm

The Notice of Final priority for this competition can be found at the following location:

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-9511.htm

WIA Watch

2010-04-29T13:32:00.000-05:00

The House Committee on Education and Labor will essentially start from scratch on a new bill to reauthorize the programs under the Workforce Investment Act, which includes the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998 (VR).

Like all other mandatory partners and stakeholders in WIA, the National Rehabilitation Association believes and has an Issue Statement addressing this issue which calls for separate, line-item funding authorized by the authorizing Committees of the Congress and appropriated by the Appropriations Committees in both the House and the Senate.

The National Rehabilitation Association will strongly oppose (together with many other stakeholders) any effort to have the mandatory partners in WIA (of which VR is one) assume the monetary responsibility for this purpose. NRA will work in collaboration with many other stakeholders to secure additional monies for infrastructure funding through the Appropriations' process.

To read NRA's 2010 Issues Statements, visit: www.nationalrehab.org; click on “Government Affairs” and then on “Issues Statements”.

Dr. Rick Roessler Retiring from U of Arkansas

2010-04-19T15:09:00.002-05:00

Celebrating Years of Service to the University of Arkansas
The College of Education and Health Professions cordially invites you

to join friends and colleagues of

Rick Roessler as we wish him well in their new adventures.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Drop-In 3:00 until 5:00 p.m.
All friends are welcome
For information, call 479-575-3208

Dr. Roessler taught in the rehabilitation counseling program for 32 years. Dr. Roessler has been a member of the NRA during his entire career

and has many friends in the NRA membership.

NRA New York Chapter Seeks Speakers

2010-04-19T15:05:00.001-05:00

The Northeast Rehabilitation Association Annual Training Conference is making a call for Presenters! Sunday, July 18 – Tuesday, July 20 at New York University

Call our office to register at 703-836-0850!

2010 NORTHEAST REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL TRAINING CONFERENCE

“New Strategies for Accomplishing the Rehabilitation Mission ”
For Vocational Rehabilitation, Supported Employment and Independent Living Professionals Who Advocate for, Train and Place in Employment, Individuals With Disabilities

Grant Reviewer Opportunity

2010-03-29T17:18:00.002-05:00

The U.S. Department of Education is seeking peer reviewers (field readers) for discretionary grant program applications for upcoming Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) grants related to the Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities. The application review process involves a reader orientation, reading and evaluation of applications, and discussions with other panelists.

Apply on-line to become a reader for the OPE grant program at: http://opeweb.ed.gov/frs

Legislative Updates

2010-03-29T17:14:00.001-05:00

The National Rehabilitation Association's priorities for reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act, shared with Members of Congress and their staff during NRA's Government Affairs Summit and, more recently, this week include:

The Governors' Waiver Authority Issue Statement which states that the National Rehabilitation Association cannot and will not support any waiver of any provision of the Rehabilitation Act by Governors, the U.S. Department of Labor, or anyone else who seeks to waive the provisions of our carefully-crafted Act.
The National Rehabilitation Association is not insensitive to the plight of Governors and the State of the States, but we believe the Community and Congressional architects' intent was that the Rehabilitation Act would always maintain a discrete funding stream for the sole use of eligible young adults and adults with disabilities and the integrity of the programs were to be honored.
Maintaining Mandatory Funding for Title I of the Rehab Act. Pursuant to a recent Washington Wire, the President signed an Executive Order in February establishing a Commission to look at all entitlement (mandatory-funded) programs. Title I of the Rehab Act is mandatory funded, which means that Title I receives the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) every year unless inflation and the Consumer Price Index (Adjusted for Urban Areas) (CPIU) are in the negative. This year, that was the case. The rate of inflation was negative and, as a result, Title I did NOT receive the COLA.
The National Rehabilitation Association believes that the Title III and Title VI programs, respectively, are complementary to the supports and services that Title I provides to eligible individuals with disabilities.
The National Rehabilitation Association supports continued, discrete funding for Supported Employment, Projects with Industry, In-Service Training, and Migrants and Seasonal Farm Workers, all of which are extraordinarily important to individuals with disabilities.

Find all NRA 2010 Issues Statements on NRA's website: www.nationalrehab.org

NCD Nominees Announced

2010-03-17T08:44:00.001-05:00

FROM THE NRCA Capitol Insider:
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, announced on March 10 that the Committee had approved nominations to fill positions at the National Council on Disability and other federal agencies. The nominees now move to the full Senate for confirmation. The nominees for NCD membership are:

Gary Blumenthal of Massachusetts
Chester Alonzo Finn of New York (a board member of The Arc)
Sara A. Gelser of Oregon
Ari Ne'eman of Maryland (who formerly worked on UCP's Life Without Limits project)
Dongwoo Joseph Pak of California
Carol Jean Reynolds of Colorado
Fernando Torres-Gill of California
Jonathan M. Young of Maryland

New National Resource Directory

2010-03-01T14:20:00.002-06:00

The US Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs are pleased to introduce the re-designed and enhanced National Resource Directory Web site, www.NationalResourceDirectory.gov.

Created for Wounded Warriors, Veterans and their families and caregivers, the new National Resource Directory has proved to be a useful tool for service providers who support the military and Veterans communities.

The National Resource Directory provides access to over 10,000 services and resources at the national, state and local levels to support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration. We are proud to assure our users they can trust the content as resources are reviewed regularly by a content management team that includes several Veterans and subject matter experts.

A few features of the new Web site include a faster, more robust search engine; a Bookmark & Share capability for use with social media tools; and an “In the News” feature that provides links to news and updates about Wounded Warrior and Veterans issues. Also included on the site is an expanded Homeless Assistance section where users can find information on a variety of programs and benefits..

We need your assistance in promoting the National Resource Directory. Here are some ways to help us spread the word:

Establish a link to www.NationalResourceDirectory.gov on your organization's Web site. (The Web site includes instructions for posting a linked logo. Check out the "Link to Us" button in the Stay Connected box on the home page.)

Send an e-mail about the National Resource Directory to your co-workers, members and/or other stakeholders and encourage them to forward the news.

Visit the National Resource Directory at www.NationalResourceDirectory.gov to explore and sign up for RSS or e-mail updates about new content, events and features.

Best Buy KY Job Opening

2010-03-01T14:18:00.000-06:00

Best Buy has an exciting Louisville KY opportunity that needs your attention to locate a great candidate. It is specific in working with employees with disabilities and the provider network. This is a huge milestone for Best Buy and your assistance would be most appreciated in cascading this to your impressive network.

AccessAbilities Coordinator - Distribution Center - Louisville, KY-100000004O
(currently referred to as Employee Advocate, but title will change)

Job Description

The AccessAbilities Coordinator will report to the Distribution Center Director, and will provide a supportive/consultation role in all areas relating to the employment and retention of individuals with disabilities within the Center. This role will entail creation and execution of practices for: recruitment, employee advocacy, facilitation, conducting and analyzing employment-related accommodation requests, and alternate duty explorations in a timely manner consistent with ADA laws, and established Best Buy policies and procedures.

This person will be instrumental in the creation and the implementation of the organizations business objectives around the diversity strategy. Individual must be able to create and develop tactical and strategic alliances through networking, business partnerships and collaborative relationships with community organizations and/or community service providers

Key Responsibilities:
Consult, collaborate and provide direction around ADA and risk management policies and regulations.
Promotes strategies to increase culturally appropriate internal and external practices including employment searches and selections, public relations, strategic planning, advertising, employee relations and vendor relations.
Works in partnership to develop manager training and hiring programs.

*Relocation is not available for this position.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
· Bachelors Degree in HR or related Voc Rehab field
· At least 3 years of functional areas of HR or related field, including Recruiting, Compensation, Policy Design, Labor Relations, Diversity, Performance Management and Career Development.
· At least 3 years of providing accommodation assessment and vocational rehab services to employers.
· Proficient MS Software skills: (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Preferred Qualifications:
· Masters Degree
· At least 2 years vocational, occupational, or medical case management experience with handling of caseloads.

Full job description and application:
http://www.bestbuy-jobs.com/job/Employee-Advocate-Coordinator-Distribution-Center-Louisville,-KY-Job/737120/
Jodi JulsethHuman Resources, Diversity & Inclusion Programs; Disability InitiativesEBN Founder, INCLUDE - Focus on Abilities, not Disabilities
Office 612-291.7682 Mobile 612-328-1272

Disability Services Educator Job Opening!

2010-02-19T14:24:00.000-06:00

SafePlace: Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survival Center
is recruiting for the following position: Disability Services Educator

$1,416.66 per month March 1 through August 31, 2010; 20 hours per week.
Outreach through disability service agencies and provide presentations to groups of teens and adults with disabilities on topics related to healthy sexuality, healthy relationships, bullying, sexual harassment, sexual abuse assault, dating violence, and personal safety strategies. Market and provide presentations/trainings to disability service and other allied professionals on topics related to recognizing and responding to sexual abuse/assault against persons with disabilities. Work with professionals from disability service organizations and residential facilities for people with disabilities on topics related to primary prevention of sexual abuse against people with disabilities. Complete paperwork, grant narrative performance reports, and data entry for trainings/presentations as required by SafePlace and funders. Requirements: experience in working with persons with disabilities required. Strongly prefer experience in providing education/training. Flexibility in schedule is required. Must have access to reliable transportation. This position will end as of August 31, 2010.

Please mail cover letters and resumes to:
HR Director, PO Box 19454, Austin TX, 78760 or
Fax to 512-356-1673 or email them to employment@safeplace.org
Persons with disabilities, people of color, and bilingual English/Spanish speakers
Encouraged to apply.

New SSA Data Available to Public

2010-01-25T13:46:00.000-06:00

SOCIAL SECURITY

News Release

Social Security Makes New Data Available to Public

Commissioner Astrue Applauds President Obama’s Transparency and Open Government Initiative

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that the agency is making new data about beneficiaries and the agency’s disability and hearing processes available to the public. The new data supports the President’s Transparency and Open Government initiative and is available at www.data.gov.

“I applaud President Obama’s commitment to creating an unprecedented level of openness in government and the new datasets we are posting far exceed what was asked of us,” Commissioner Astrue said. “Social Security has always valued transparency and sought to give the public user-friendly information about our programs. Each year we send millions of Americans personal information about their Social Security contributions and potential benefits. Our website www.socialsecurity.gov has a wealth of information about our programs and the Social Security trust funds. I hope the new data we are making available will lead to a better understanding of our operations and the important role we play in people’s lives. I look forward to engaging Americans in the business of their government.”

Job Opening: Chief of Independent Living Unit

2010-01-25T13:45:00.000-06:00

The Department of Education is recruiting to fill the position of Chief of the Independent Living Unit. This is a supervisory position, GS-101-14/15, located in the Rehabilitation Services Administration, State Monitoring and Program Improvement Division.

The deadline for applications is February 12, 2010 and the position is open to everyone.

If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the announcement or wish to apply, you must submit your application online through the OPM website which can be accessed at:
http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/search.aspx?FedEmp=Y&FedPub=Y&sort=rv,-dtex&vw=d&re=134&caller=basic.aspx&jbf574=EDEH

OSERS-2010-0013 (federal employees/status candidates)
OSERS-2010-0012 (non-status candidates)

NRA's 2010 Government Affairs Summit Early Bird Special

2010-01-25T13:42:00.000-06:00

Don’t forget to sign up for the 2010 Government Affairs Summit and
receive the Early Bird Special, visit: www.nationalrehab.org and reserve your spot today!

Annual Disability Statistics Compendium

2010-01-23T13:26:00.002-06:00

The Annual Disability Compendium is available at www.DisabilityCompendium.org. The Compendium brings together in one place disability statistics published by various federal agencies. It makes finding and using disability statistics easier when working on research, legislative, and other matters relating to persons with disabilities. Topics covered in this year’s Compendium include: population size, prevalence of disability, employment, enrollment in education, educational attainment, self-reported health status, health behaviors, and MUCH more!

The Compendium is a product of the Hunter College Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Statistics and Demographics (Hunter StatsRRTC), which is funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact the Technical Assistance toll-free number, 1-866-538-9521.

The CRCC Desk Reference on Professional Ethics: A Guide Now Available

2010-01-13T11:40:00.002-06:00

The CRCC Desk Reference on Professional Ethics is a contemporary, authoritative, all-inclusive resource on ethics for rehabilitation counselors. Written and compiled by representatives of the CRCC, it applies the new 2010 Code to everyday practice in a clear, concise, user-friendly format.

It includes:

The Complete 2010 Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors;
New Training Scenarios Cross-Referenced with Advisory Opinions;
An Annotated Bibliography; and
A Comprehensive Set of Appendixes, including Sample Forms.

The CRCC Desk Reference on Professional Ethics may be purchased for $39.99 through the Publisher, Elliott & Fitzpatrick at www.elliottfitzpatrick.com or by calling 1-800-843-4977.

For more information, including a printable promotional brochure, go to the CRCC website at www.crccertification.com/pages/crcc_desk_reference/138.php

US Senate Confirms Griffin Deputy Director of OPM

2010-01-07T11:49:00.002-06:00

On Tuesday, January 5, 2010, the Senate confirmed Christine M. Griffin as the new Deputy Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

As Deputy Director of OPM, Director Griffin will be instrumental in the composition and management of the Federal government's 1.9 employees. Deputy Griffin, a native of the Boston area, is an ardent advocate for all individuals with disabilities and in 2006 launched the Leadership for the Employment of Individuals with Disabilities (LEAD) which addressed significant under-employment of individuals with significant disabilities in the Federal government.

Deputy Griffin received her undergraduate degree from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 1983 and received her law degree from Boston College Law School where she was awarded the prestigious Skadden Arps Fellowship upon graduation.In December 2005, Ms. Griffin was selected as one of the Nation's eleven "Lawyers of the Year" by Lawyers Weekly USA newspaper.

Job Opening at Advocacy, Inc. San Anotnio Office

2010-01-07T11:47:00.000-06:00

Job opening at Advocacy, Inc.,
San Antonio Office

Advocacy, Inc. has an Advocate position available with the Client Assistance Program, (CAP). Advocacy, Inc., is a private non profit employer with generous benefits and flexible hours. Salary is commensurate with experience.

The Advocate position includes working with a number of organizations, including the State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies, (DRS, DBS) Independent Living Centers, & Projects with Industry. The goal of the CAP program is to resolve differences between a consumer and the agency. The position works closely with the vocational rehabilitation program and independent living program. The position has a variety of responsibilities and is very rewarding. The advocate would learn about laws that protect persons with disabilities. The job description can be viewed on the Advocacy Inc., website at www.advocacyinc.org.

If you have any questions about the responsibilities of the position, please feel free to contact me at 713-974-7691, or 1-800-880-0821.

Karen Stanfill
CAP Coordinator

University of Wisconsin-Stout Online CEUs

2009-12-08T09:27:00.004-06:00

Is your CRC certification up in March 2010? UW-Stout offers online courses, including an ethics course specifically for CRCs.

"Rehabilitation Ethics" starts January 14th, 2010 and twice more in 2010. The emphasis of this online course is on real ethical dilemmas provided by people working in the field of vocational rehabilitation. Here is some feedback from past participants:
"This is the first ethics course I have taken that wasn't boring!"
"I like learning about others' experiences and how they have handled situations"
"It was informative and I liked getting the perspective of others in different parts of the country"

UW-Stout offers a few options, for people who need different amounts of credits:
10-credit option ($150) - If you need/want to get all of your ethics credits.
5-credit option ($90) - For those who only need 5 ethics credits.
Individualized options ($15 per credit, plus a $20 service fee) - contact us for details.

Early 2010 Line-Up of Online Courses:

CRC Exam Preparation Workshop - January 28
Introduction to Disability Benefits - February 23
Physical Disabilities - March 4
Working with Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing - March 16
Psychiatric Disabilities - April 8
Vocational Services for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing - May 4
See more information about each course on the website at http://www.uwstout.edu/svri/course_descriptions.cfm

Health Proponent Special for NRA Members

2009-12-07T11:11:00.004-06:00

Call today 866-939-3435
www.HealthProponent.com

Health Proponent™ is the consumer division of Health Advocate™, Inc. the nation's leading healthcare advocacy and assistance company. Health Proponent is not affiliated with any insurance or third party provider. Health Proponent does not replace health insurance coverage, provide medical care or recommend treatment.

Changes Proposed in Terms for Intellectual Disability

2009-11-25T09:13:00.001-06:00

Intellectual Disability Terminology

On Tuesday, Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Michael Enzi (R-WY) introduced "Rosa's Law"(S. 2781) a bipartisan bill to substitute outdated, stigmatizing terms in federal health, education and labor laws. The terms "mental retardation" and "mentally retarded" would be substituted with the terms "intellectual disability" and "individual with an intellectual disability." The change in terminology would in no way alter the eligibility requirements for services and supports. See related stories on Disability Intel.

Swine Flu and People with Disabilities Update

2009-11-25T09:12:00.001-06:00

2009 H1N1 Flu Update- Capitol Insider

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new technical assistance announcing that people with certain disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, are at risk of contracting the 2009 H1N1 flu and should be considered in the priority group to receive the H1N1 vaccine. The announcement also clarified that direct support professionals and "others" in constant contact with these individuals with disabilities are in the priority group to receive the vaccine. Parent caregivers are part of the "others" category. See: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/disabilities/ and http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/healthconditions/disabilities/index.html.

Capitol Insider: Paralympics & Immigration

2009-11-25T09:09:00.001-06:00

From the ARC/UCP Capitol Insider
Volume 14, Issue 46 November 23, 2009

International Paralympics
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) voted on November 20 to reinstate eligibility for athletes who have intellectual disabilities (ID) to participate in the Paralympics. Since 2001, athletes with ID have been banned from participation in the Paralympics due to violations by a Spanish basketball squad which included players who did not have ID. The DPC wrote a letter to the U.S. Paralympic Division of the U.S. Olympic Committee urging that they vote "yes" for the reinstatement. (It is not known at this time how the US voted; but the USPC had been urging a "no" vote.) See the IPC's press release at: http://www.paralympic.org/Media_Centre/News/General_News/2009_11_21_a.html

Immigration
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced that it has established a streamlined, standardized process for receiving requests for accommodations from customers with disabilities. Customers in need of accommodations from field offices and Application Support Centers should now call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1-800-375-5283 (TDD: 1-800-767-1833).

ADA Updates

2009-11-10T12:22:00.000-06:00

Thanks to NRCA for the following updates:

ADA/Emergency Management

The US Department of Justice entered into settlement agreements with several local governments regarding the accessibility of their emergency management plans and facilities (e.g., seeking input from people with disabilities and their families, making emergency shelters accessible and planning for accessible temporary housing). To read the agreements, see:
http://www.ada.gov/civicac.htm

ADA Employment Video

The US Department of Justice has a new video aimed at educating employers about the employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Ten Employment Myths: Information about the Americans with Disabilities Act uses a question-and-answer format to express common misconceptions, fears and false assumptions that many employers have about employees with disabilities. The video refutes these unfounded myths, explains the ADA in common sense terms and highlights the advantages of hiring qualified persons with disabilities. Single DVD copies can be ordered through at 800-514-0301 (voice) or 800-514-0383 (TTY). An online streaming version will also be available soon. See: http://www.ada.gov

ARRA Disability-Related Spending Update

2009-11-10T12:19:00.001-06:00

From the NRCA Listservice:

As of Oct 30, recipients of grants and contract funds resulting from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) have been required to provide a greater level of detail on how they are spending their money. Many priority disability programs, such as IDEA State Grants and Vocational Rehabilitation State Grant and Independent Living, are receiving ARRA funds. See: http://www.recovery.gov/Pages/home.aspx for additional details.

State Schools Settlement Agreement Only a Start

2009-11-03T13:41:00.001-06:00

Courtesy of CTD--

This year, Texas officials signed a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to improve conditions at state schools for people with disabilities. The five-year agreement followed a four-year federal investigation into civil rights violations at Texas’ 13 state schools as a response to years of reports about abuse and neglect inside the facilities.
The 61-page agreement provides numerous definitions of how services and conditions in state schools are to be evaluated and monitored, but fails to address the human factor of unnecessary institutionalization.

Disturbingly, even while negotiations for the agreement were concluding, news agencies reported further violations of human safety and dignity as evidenced by the operation of a "fight club” at the Corpus Christi State School, the March homicide of a resident at the Denton State School, the May suicide of a resident of the San Angelo State School, and the June death of a resident of the Lubbock State School during an incident with staff members.

Disability advocates said that the measure tries to fix a system that is fundamentally broken, and will do little to move institutionalized people into more integrated community settings. “We’re not here to impede this settlement,” said Dennis Borel, executive director for the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, “but we are interested in ensuring nobody stays in an institution who is able and wants to get out.”

Proposition 8 Seeks Texas Support for Veterans' Hospitals

2009-11-03T13:39:00.001-06:00

Courtesy of CTD--

Representative Kino Flores and Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa succeeded in getting Proposition 8 added to the November 3rd Ballot. The ballot measure seeks to amend the Texas Constitution by "authorizing the state to contribute money, property, and other resources for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of veterans hospitals in this state."
The impetus for this proposal came from the fact that many Texas veterans, especially in South Texas, must travel hundreds of miles to obtain the specialized care that they receive because of service-connected disabilities. With the amendment, Flores hopes that Texas would fund the construction of additional facilities for underserved veterans and the Veterans Administration would fund the operation and maintenance of these facilities.

Chase Bearden Wins Advocacy Award

2009-11-03T13:38:00.001-06:00

Courtesy of CTD--

Chase Bearden, CTD’s Director of Advocacy and Community Organizing, was honored at the Texas Rehabilitation Association's 2009 conference in San Antonio where he received the TRA’s Legislative Award for achieving distinction in his advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities.
The TRA recognized Chase's work during the 2008-2009 legislative session, when he took the lead in efforts to make businesses owned by people with disabilities eligible for Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) status, in addition to his involvement in numerous other issues affecting people with disabilities.

Lynnae Ruttledge New RSA Commissioner

2009-10-19T11:16:00.004-05:00

President Barack Obama has appointed Lynnae Ruttledge as the new RSA Commissioner. She previously served as the Executive Director of the Washington Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Ms. Ruttledge has also worked in the public and non-profit sectors in Michigan, Oregon and Washington, working in critical areas including policy development, program management, independent living, workforce development, and business leadership networks.

http://www.theolympian.com/483

http://www.ssa.gov/oidap/bios/ruttledge.htm

http://www.bff.org/aapdnow-lr.html

NRCA reprinted CSAVR's public announcement of the appointment, as follows:

"CSAVR is delighted that “one of our own”, Lynnae Ruttledge , Director of the Washington General state VR agency has been nominated to be the next RSA Commissioner. As many of you know, Lynnae is a great advocate and administrator. Her combination of skills will be of tremendous use in her new responsibilities. We look forward to working with Lynnae in this new capacity".

NEW Ticket to Work Training

2009-10-06T11:41:00.001-05:00

DARS, Texas Workforce Commission, DADS, the Austin Resource Center for Independent Living, and the Texas Medicaid Infrastructure Grant invite you to learn about the excitingopportunities offered by the NEW Ticket to Work program and about how Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities can use Work Incentives to keep their benefit checks while exploring work.

October 16, 2009 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Capital Area Workforce Center
6505 Airport Boulevard, Suite 101E
Austin, TX 78752

To register:
• Beneficiaries register online for the WISE event at http://www.cessi.net/wise, or call 1-877-743-8237 (V/TTY)

• Service providers and other entities interested in attending the Austin Ticket Express Event, register online at http://www.cessi.net/ttw by clicking on the Austin Ticket Express icon.

ADAAA Public Comments Open Now

2009-10-05T11:36:00.001-05:00

On September 23, 2009 the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released draft regulations to implement the employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA). There will be a 60-day public comment period before the regulations become final. DCP will review the regulations and, if necessary, make comments. The draft regulations can be found at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-22840.pdf

JAN Announces Winter Webcast Series

2009-09-24T09:56:00.000-05:00

The Job Accommodation Network is providing three 1.5 hour

Webcast sessions to begin the firstweek of December 2009

The three part series will cover the hiring and employment of people with disabilities in the Federal government and thereasonable accommodation process. JAN welcomes guest speakers from theEqual Employment Opportunity Commission, the Office of PersonnelManagement, DoD's Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program, and the USDA TARGET Center.

Audience members will include federal disabilityprogram managers, hiring managers, supervisors, EEO representatives,selective placement coordinators, and others who may be involved inhiring and managing workers in the Federal government.

Registration is open at: http://www.jan.wvu.edu/webcast/RegisterFed/

Listening Session for Disability Stakeholders

2009-09-24T09:55:00.000-05:00

The U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and Employment and Training Administration (ETA) will hold a National Workforce Investment Act (WIA) "listening session" for disability stakeholders on October 1, 2009 from 2:00-5:00 pm ET. The purpose of the session is to gather recommendations from a disability perspective for the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.

To participate in this event, visit: http://www.dol.gov/odep/documents/Stakeholder.pdf

Bob Cox, NRA Treasurer 2010

2009-09-22T16:50:00.003-05:00

TRA Congratulates Bob Cox on his election as

NRA Treasurer, beginning 2010.

Way to go, Bob!!!

Disability Disparities Event- NID

2009-09-17T09:35:00.001-05:00

From the National Institute on Disability--

Dr. Allen Lewis, Chair of Virginia Commonwealth University, Dept. of Rehabilitation Counseling, will facilitate the upcoming webcast entitled "Disability Disparities" Wed., Sept. 23, 2009, from 2 pm to 2:45 PM EST. It is sponsored by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).

Other participants include Mr. Andrew J. Imparato, Esq. President/CEO of American Association of Persons with Disabilities; Dr. Keith Wilson, Full Professor of Education and Rehabilitation Services and African American Studies at Penn State University, and Dr. Phil Rumril, Director of Disability Studies at Kent State University’s Educational Foundation and Special Services.

Webcast registration:
http://www.vcu-projectempowerment.org/training/upcomingWebcasts.cfm

AARA Fall Conference

2009-09-17T09:33:00.001-05:00

Austin Area Rehabilitation Association2009 All-Day Fall Conference

Tuesday, September 29th8:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Earn 6.5 CEU Hours (1.5 Ethics)

$20 Early Registration/ $25 At-the-Door (Lunch Included)

Location: Goodwill Industries of Central Texas1015 Norwood Park Boulevard, Austin, TX 78753 (near I-35 & Hwy. 183)

NOTE: EARLY REGISTRATION EXTENDED TO WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23rd.

For more information, write: AustinAreaRehabAssoc@gmail.com

FCC Annouces New Disability Rights Information

2009-09-17T09:28:00.002-05:00

WAHINGTON, DC-- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced information about informal consumer complaints processed by its Disability Rights Office during the first quarter of 2009. The complaints covered access to telecommunications services and equipment, telecommunications relay services (TRS), closed captioning, accessibility of video programming providing emergency information, and hearing aid compatibility. For details, please visit: http://www.disability.gov/

VCU Autism Spectrum Disorders Webcast

2009-09-14T10:11:00.002-05:00

Please join a webcast hosted by SEDL's Vocational Rehabilitation Service Models for Autism Spectrum Disorders Project!

Wednesday, September 30, 2009: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Autism Spectrum Disorders Career Links. The featured presenter is Jennifer Todd McDonough, M.S., C.R.C., Associate Director of Training for the VCU-RRTC.

The 60-minute webcast will begin at 3:00pm Eastern; 2:00pm Central; 1:00pm Mountain; 12:00pm Pacific; 11:00am Alaska; 9:00am Hawaii. The webcast is presented in collaboration with the Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) program at Memorial HermanTIRR.
Webcast Registration (no fee to participate): http://cts.vresp.com/c/?SEDL/8ebdc6bec7/b956cadbb5/ab7afad651

San Antonio Chapter Conference

2009-09-08T13:55:00.000-05:00

SAARA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2009
(SEE ATTACHED AGENDA)
REGISTRATION FEE $90
BROCHURE BEING MAILED SOON

MOTEL INFORMATION:
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS
16315 SAN PEDRO (HWY 281 NORTH)
LOCAL NUMBER: 210-402-3300
OR 877-727-8483
RATES $99-129 SINGLE OR DOUBLE
FREE SHUTTLE TO TRAINING SITE ON FRIDAY

October TRA Board Meeting

2009-09-08T13:54:00.000-05:00

NEXT TRA BOARD MEETING
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2009
1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

LOCATION: EASTER SEALS
2203 BABCOCK RD
SAN ANTONIO, TX

210-614-3911 (CONTACT EASTER SEALS FOR DIRECTIONS)

Former Rehab Provider Sentenced For Fraud

2009-09-08T13:47:00.001-05:00

(HOUSTON) - James Earl Dunn Jr., 39, former owner and operator of Rehab Specialist Inc. (RSI), has been sentenced to 33 months confinement in federal prison by United States District Judge Lee Rosenthal for submitting more than $300,000 in fraudulent claims against the government, United States Attorney Tim Johnson announced today. The sentence was handed down late yesterday evening.

Dunn received contracts from the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), formerly known as the Texas Rehabilitation Commission, from funds awarded by the U.S. Department of Education, to provide vocational rehabilitation training to individuals with mental and physical disabilities.
Indicted in May 2007, Dunn pleaded guilty Aug. 12, 2008, to one count of submitting fraudulent claims against the government acknowledging in his plea agreement that during the years 2001 to 2003 he had fraudulently obtained federal vocational rehabilitation funds through DARS by claiming that he was providing employment training and coaching to clients with disabilities when, in fact, the clients were not receiving such training.

"Dunn knowingly and willfully abused his position of trust to steal funds that were supposed to be used to provide needed education and vocational rehabilitation to disabled adults. That is unacceptable,” said Mary Mitchelson, acting Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Education. “I’m proud of the work of Office of Inspector General Special Agents, the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services and the U.S. Attorney's Office for holding this man accountable for his fraudulent actions.”
Dunn, who has been on bond, has been permitted to remain on bond pending the issuance by the court of an order to surrender to a Bureau of Prisons facility to be designated in the near future.

The investigation was conducted by special agents with the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General and the DARS Investigations Unit. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Quincy L. Ollison.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ANGELA DODGE FRIDAY, SEPT. 4, 2009 PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/TXS (713) 567-9388

August 2009 Disability Employment Statistics Released

2009-09-08T13:42:00.001-05:00

August 2009 Disability Employment Statistics Released:
According to the Office of Disability Employment Policy in the United States Department of Labor, in August 2009, the percentage of people with disabilities in the labor force was 22.2 compared with 71.2 for persons with no disability. The unemployment rate for those with disabilities was 16.9 percent, compared with 9.3 percent for persons with no disability, not seasonally adjusted.

"2010 Changes to Medicare" Event

2009-09-08T13:39:00.001-05:00

Beginning January 1, 2010, changes in the law will make it easier for some people to qualify for Extra Help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs. Under the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act:

SSA will no longer count as a resource any life insurance policy; and
SSA will no longer count as income the help a person receives regularly from someone else to pay for household expenses.

Want to know more? You’re invited to participate in Social Security’s national webinar – "2010 Changes to Medicare Extra Help". Join Social Security for a discussion about these important changes. We also ask that you share the information about the webinar with your members, colleagues, and other interested parties.

The webinar will be hosted via http://www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp/webinarmedicare.htm on September 15, 2009 at 2 pm EDT. To RSVP for the webinar, please visit http://www.ssa.gov/survey/mipparsvpsurvey.htm
I hope that you will join us and I look forward to the opportunity to discuss the changes with you. Sincerely, Cheri Arnott Parlaman Associate Commissioner for External Affairs

Job Training: Often Misunderstood But Too Important to Dismiss

2009-08-31T10:04:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Karen Stanfill at Advocacy Inc. for sending this story!
In this commentary for The Huffington Post on behalf of the Working Poor Families Project, CUF's David Jason Fischer and the WPFP's Brandon Roberts examine some of the misperceptions and realities around job training in the United States today.

The Huffington Post, July 21, 2009
Brandon Roberts and David Fischer co-wrote this article on behalf of the Working Poor Families Project. The article is also available on The Huffington Post website, at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brandon-roberts/job-training-often-misund_b_242090.html

Job retraining has had a bum rap in public policy circles. The latest indictment of retraining came in a New York Times article on July 6, describing the difficulties of laid-off workers in Michigan -- home of the country's highest unemployment rate (14.1 percent) and a much-touted state program, No Worker Left Behind, that offers up to two years of tuition assistance toward an educational or occupational credential in any "high-demand" economic sector.

One significant problem detailed in the piece was the frequency with which participants completed training but did not find jobs afterward, as ostensibly high-demand job categories proved to be anything but. Placing the Michigan workers' difficulties in broader context--and casting more doubt on the enterprise of retraining overall--the piece cited a US Department of Labor study from December 2008 which found that benefits for laid-off individuals retrained through federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) programs were "small or nonexistent." The implication is that the public should temper expectations for the more than $1 billion for retraining included in the federal stimulus measure passed earlier this year.

But while the Times story and similar tales of woe identify real challenges with retraining, it would be incorrect to conclude either that these programs are hopeless, or that the problems of retraining call into question the value of all training. On this point, the same USDOL study (PDF) cited in the article found "positive and statistically significant" wage gains for WIA Adult program training participants in most states, with average wage gains per quarter of well over $200 compared to control groups. Other studies have also shown even stronger results, including a recent Public/Private Ventures report that analyzed job training programs linked to targeted industries or sectors and found participant wage gains of more than 18 percent -- about $4,500 -- compared to a control group over a two-year period.

Misunderstandings about the nature of job training cloud public perceptions as well. A significant portion of job training in the U.S. occurs through community colleges -- institutions that blend educational and workforce missions, to the benefit of jobseekers and local employers alike. In fact, a just-released paper by the President's Council of Economic Advisers notes that approximately 35 percent of individuals who receive job training through WIA do so through community colleges. Smaller and more flexible than four-year institutions, community colleges typically offer industry-recognized vocational certifications, in fields from automotive maintenance to computer network administration, as well as traditional associates' degrees. Nearly four-fifths of community colleges also offer contract training, developing curricula in partnership with employers, industry associations and other outside stakeholders to train incumbent workers and jobseekers. Additionally, much apprenticeship training, which typically leads to high-wage positions, takes place in community colleges.

Mindful of community colleges' value and potential, the Obama administration recently announced the American Graduation Initiative. This groundbreaking plan will expand support to community colleges, pledging $12 billion for new initiatives to improve college completion, modernize facilities, and develop new online learning opportunities with the goal of graduating an additional five million Americans from a community college by 2020. An explicit objective of the plan is to "help rebuild the capacity and competitiveness of America's workforce." The initiative has drawn praise from both sides of the political spectrum, including prominent conservatives like New York Times columnist David Brooks.

Even when training outcomes do not meet expectations, the findings should not be considered as definitive. Variation in program design and implementation from one state to the next is so pronounced that, rather than looking at aggregate system performance across a number of states, we might be better served to determine which states have seen the most success in retraining and reemploying displaced workers. One such state is Washington, where displaced workers who have gone for retraining in the state's standout community and technical college system have thrived: the system's June 2009 performance report found that 81 percent of retrained workers were back working within a year of program completion, at wages comparable to what they had earned before losing their jobs. In fact, lower-income displaced workers reported an average 18% wage gain after retraining.

One important point mentioned within the July 6 Times article is that "[j]ob retraining is also ineffective without job creation." Considering that job creation (or preservation) was an explicit goal of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed earlier this year, states' retraining efforts should use a targeted, sector-based focus with the goal of transitioning displaced workers into positions that the stimulus will support, in infrastructure and emerging fields such as clean energy. It also suggests a possible direction for programming going forward: rather than relying upon labor market economists' best guesses as to what job titles might be "hot," states and localities might be better off directing retraining efforts toward jobs that are likely to emerge as a result of their own economic development investments. As Congress and the Obama administration look toward reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act in the near future, policymakers must find ways to more closely link job training with job creation.

At their best, workforce development programs offer incumbent workers and jobseekers a bridge to connect their current skills and experiences with stable jobs that offer family-supporting pay and advancement prospects. Given the accelerating pace of economic change, the ongoing dysfunction in our public schools -- the other system for career preparation -- and the perils and possibilities now inherent to our labor market, workforce programming, very much including retraining, is too important to dismiss or neglect.

David Jason Fischer is Project Director for Workforce Development and Social Policy at the Center for an Urban Future, a New York City-based public policy think tank.

Congressional Champion for Persons with Disabilities Passes Away

2009-08-31T09:38:00.002-05:00

To: All Members of the National Rehabilitation Association

From: Patricia Leahy, Director of Government Affairs

Re: The Congressional Champion for Persons with Disabilities Passes Away

Date: Wednesday, August 26, 2009

On Tuesday, August 25, 2009, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, the consummate Congressional champion of children and adults with disabilities, passed away. Known to many as the Liberal Lion of the Senate, no one was more sincere about crossing the political aisle in the spirit of bipartisanship than Senator Kennedy.

President Obama called Senator Kennedy "Not only one of the greatest Senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans to ever serve democracy." One of his closest friends, Senator Orrin Hatch (R.UT.) said of his Congressional colleague: "Today, America lost a great elder statesman, a committed public servant and a leader in the Senate, and I lost a treasured friend." Former First Lady Nancy Reagan called Senator Kennedy "a dear friend." Senator John McCain (R.AZ.) said of Senator Kennedy: "He always kept his word, and that is far less common around here than a lot of people think." "We just sat down together and worked out a proposal. He didn't start it; I didn't start it. We just sat down and said OK, here's what we want to achieve -- what do we have to do?"

Forever at the forefront of the discussion and debate on ensuring the civil rights of children and adults with disabilities, Senator Kennedy forged partnerships with everyone he could in the Capitol and in our great country to ensure those rights were appreciated, respected and resulted in policies and legislation that were both bipartisan and benefited those who most needed representation in Congress -- children and adults with disabilities.

When the Congress began discussions on the great civil rights law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Senator Kennedy and others, many of whom were inspired by the Senator, shepherded IDEA through the Senate. During the discussions on a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for all, Senator Kennedy, once again, was at the forefront of the debate. During sometimes spirited discussions on whom should comprise the IEP team, including the general education teacher, Senator Kennedy was there providing gifted guidance on the importance of diverse membership in this singularly important process for determining a student's progression.

When some balked at the thought of an inclusive classroom for children and young adults with disabilities, Senator Kennedy and others made the case with and on behalf of parents and students with disabilities in both the Capitol and in our country that students with disabilities had the RIGHT to be educated with their non-disabled peers. When it became increasingly apparent that the greatest country in the world -- the United States of America -- did not have an infrastructure that was accessible to all Americans -- Senator Kennedy and many others began a bipartisan journey that was to result in one of the greatest pieces of legislation to ever emerge from the Congress: The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).

Senator Kennedy has always been there for children and adults with disabilities.

While his presence will be missed, the spirit of his memorable mission of equality, dignity and respect for all individuals with disabilities will forever remain. There is an old Irish adage, part of which I would like to share with you on the passing of Senator Kennedy:

'MAY THE ROAD RISE TO MEET YOU,

MAY THE WIND BE ALWAYS AT YOUR BACK,

MAY THE SUN SHINE WARM UPON YOUR FACE,

MAY THE RAINS FALL SOFT UPON YOUR FIELDS

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN."

***************************
Patricia Leahy
Director of Governmental Affairs and Public Policy
National Rehabilitation Association
633 South Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
1-888-258-4295
NRA Office - 703-836-0850
NRA Fax - 703-836-0848
TDD - 703-836-0849
E-mail - patricia@nationalrehab.org
NRA Website - www.nationalrehab.org

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS- Wisconsin and N. Carolina

2009-08-24T11:45:00.001-05:00

ANNOUNCEMENT 1:
Center for Deaf-Blind Persons, Inc., Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Position: Executive Director
Responsible for all general management, fiscal matters, and programs
Major duties:
Supervise Center staff, develop and supervise programs, project and manage budget and fund development, engage in strategic planning, spearhead community outreach/education, develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community partners.
Qualifications:
A passion to serve
Master’s Degree in rehabilitation, social work, or administration preferred
Organized and possess the ability to multitask in a fast moving agency
Strong leadership and problem-solving skills
Experience in management and human resources
Demonstrated ability in all aspects of fund raising, including writing grant proposals and progress reports
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Experience and knowledge of the rehabilitation process and teaching techniques
Understanding of community based waivers and governmental programs a plus,
Ability to use sign language highly desired

Competitive salary and benefits. For information about the Center, please visit our web site at http://www.deaf-blind.org
Please send references and resume to:
Board of Directors
Center for Deaf-Blind Persons, Inc.
3195 South Superior Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53207

OR email to: board@deaf-blind.org NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

ANNOUNCEMENT 2:
Division Director, North Carolina Division of Blind Services
The North Carolina Division of Services for the Blind, an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, is accepting applications for the position of Division Director. This position is policy making exempt. The Agency serves consumers who are blind or visually impaired or have vision and hearing losses in areas that include Vocational Rehabilitation, Independent Living Rehabilitation, and Business Enterprises. The Agency also provides social work services through the Social Services Block Grant and operates a state-funded program for the provision of eye-related medical services.
Training & Experience- Master's degree in business, public, or public health administration, rehabilitation, social work, sociology, education, or psychology and five years of managerial or supervisory experience in a private or governmental human services or closely related area: or graduation from a four-year college or university in business administration, rehabilitation, social work, sociology, education, or Psychology and seven years experience in a human services or closely related program, three of which must be managerial or supervisory experience in a private or governmental human services or closely related area; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Management Preference – demonstrated skill as a leader, manager, and supervisory; direct service and management/supervisory experience in a program serving people with disabilities, preferably with vision loss; experience in working with multiple funding sources which have different uses and requirements;
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – understanding of the skills that contribute to the independence and successful employment of people who are blind; understanding of the laws and regulations that apply to the rehabilitation program and services; understanding of budget, legislative, and HR processes; able to function with a small management staff within the Division and as part of a large departmental team; good computer skills.
Closing Date – 8/21/09-9/4/09
Salary Range – $69,860 – $117,406
For additional information please contact –
Angela Miller
Division of Human Resources, Health and Human Services
Contact Address: 2001 MSC, Raleigh, NC 27699-2001
Phone: 919-733-2940
Fax: 919-733-6087

NCDDR Teleconference

2009-08-24T11:36:00.003-05:00

Please join a teleconference hosted by the NCDDR for NIDRR grantees and other stakeholders interested in disability policy and its relationship to research quality.
WHAT: Teleconference on Policy Implications for Disability and Rehabilitation Research Quality
WHEN: Thursday, September 17, 2009. 2:00 PM–3:15 PM (Central).

ABOUT THE TELECONFERENCE
The NCDDR will host a teleconference on September 17, 2009 for NIDRR grantees and other individuals interested in the impacts of current and future federal policy directives upon the quality of disability and rehabilitation research. Panelists will include high-level representatives from federal disability-related agencies and disability organizations. Panelists will address policy issues impacting disability and rehabilitation research, particularly in light of the current economic climate and the new administration. Panelists will also explore their perceptions about how policy affects the quality of research and will discuss their visions and goals for the future of the disability and rehabilitation field. This activity is sponsored through the NCDDR's Community of Practice on Research Quality.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Please register here by September 10, 2009. There is no fee to attend, but space is limited to 35 participants. You may submit your questions along with your registration. You will be notified by email with the teleconference call-in number and a PIN for your participation. For those who cannot attend the live teleconference, a recording and transcript will be archived on the NCDDR homepage.

For more information, contact Brenda Lightfoot by email: brenda.lightfoot@sedl.org or call 800-266-1832.

Passage of the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Program and the Veterans Business Center Act of 2009

2009-07-31T14:06:00.003-05:00

The House has passed H.R. 3325, which reauthorizes through 2010 the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Program and the Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of the Social Security program, providing employment-related services for individuals with disabilities. Also, the Veterans Business Center Act of 2009, H.R. 1834, establishes within the Department of Veterans Affairs a center which would provide entrepreneurial training and counseling for veterans. See: http://frwebgate1.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/PDFgate.cgi?WAISdocID=066804272441+3+2+0&WAISaction=retrieve for the record, or go to http://www.gpoaccess.gov/crecord/, where you can search all Congressional Records.

New Code of Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors

2009-07-24T10:59:00.002-05:00

CRCC--New Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors Effective as of January 1, 2010
CRCC has just completed the process of updating its Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors (Code). Rehabilitation Counselors certified by CRCC are bound to act in accordance with the new Code, effective January 1, 2010 and, as such, are encouraged to fully read the new Code. The full Code is now available for viewing, downloading, and printing directly from the CRCC website, CRC/CCRC Code of Ethics page, or at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102649091840&s=11304&e=001LTg5fsQwYARydtmYRzGnJ5w4-Z-r1bMp4oK9hN93X8Jg_f-aoAt4HS1QlrRgJjjlSiFMbLM8pp8Xp5yxejyPMe4xz6N9-Kag4FRFSFYD6nXXbc8JsKC3CVL28hMVbih7k2felKqviJ2C9nN3x_h1x3g6brLUjAyaDhez3si05FU=

Wear Red on Thursday!

2009-07-22T12:38:00.002-05:00

This week, we celebrate the landmark legislation known as the Americans with Disabilities Act, which some regard as a “second Independence Day” for people with disabilities.

Since most DARS employees aren’t working on the actual anniversary day of the ADA, Sunday July 26, we decided we would commemorate the spirit of the ADA on Thursday, July 23.

Wear something red on Thursday to show your support of independence for people with disabilities, a tenet that this agency is dedicated to ensuring in Texas.
Many others around the state are joining DARS to commemorate this spirit, including Governor Rick Perry, who issued a proclamation honoring the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

TRA CONFERENCE HOTEL DEADLINE SOON

2009-07-22T10:05:00.003-05:00

IMPORTANT CONFERENCE NOTE:

MAKE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS
DEADLINE TO RECEIVE TRA CONFERENCE RATE
OF $125 NIGHT IS JULY 24, 2009

2009 TRA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
AUGUST 16-18, 2009

ADA Anniversary This Week

2009-07-21T12:50:00.002-05:00

July 26th marks the 19th Anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Signed into law in 1990 with broad bipartisan support, the ADA has done much to guarantee the civil rights protections to people with disabilities. There will be a Washington, DC based celebration this Wednesday on Capitol Hill.

See: http://www.aapd.com/Development/2009ADAEvent.html

TRA Conference Still Needs Silent Auction Items

2009-07-17T21:17:00.001-05:00

TRA still needs YOUR help with item donations for next month's conference! Call Sandy Hansmann at 956-802-0372 to see how you can contribute!

Alexa Posny Nominated for Assistant Secretary of OSERS

2009-07-07T14:36:00.002-05:00

WASHINGTON, DC-- The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services issued the following statement on Ms. Posny's intention to be nominated for Assistant Secretary of OSERS.

"Yesterday, the White House Press Office issued a press release announcing several more of President Obama’s choices to head key posts in his administration. One of the individuals is Alexa Posny to be OSERS Assistant Secretary. This is wonderful news for our office for a host of reasons, many of which are outlined in the brief information below describing Alexa’s experience and career accomplishments. However, the most important to note is that Alexa is returning to OSERS, but this time as Assistant Secretary. Alexa held the position of Director of Special Education Programs from April 17, 2006 to June 22, 2007. Her knowledge of our programs, our organizational structure and business practices will no doubt eliminate any concern regarding a learning curve. Her leadership skills, span of knowledge, gracious and warm personality will continue to increase the service capacity of OSERS and its employees to positively impact the lives of students and adults with disabilities (emphasis, blog moderator). Please note that the intention to nominate means that she has not been officially nominated and once the official nomination has occurred she must be confirmed by the Senate. Consequently, the exact timing for all of this is not known, but we will keep all of you informed."

TRA Conference- RESERVE NOW!

2009-07-07T10:49:00.002-05:00

MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!!!

TRA HAS A BLOCK OF ROOMS BUT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL ROOMS AT THE CURRENT CONFERENCE RATE.

2009 TRA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
AUGUST 16-18, 2009
OMNI HOTEL AT THE COLONNADE, SAN ANTONIO, TX

DEADLINE FOR CONFERENCE RATES: JULY 24, 2009

CONFERENCE RATES: $125 NIGHT FOR SINGLE/DOUBLE/TRIPLE/QUAD

Early Bird Registration for NRA

2009-07-07T10:46:00.002-05:00

Don’t miss the Early Bird Rate for the 2009 NRA Conference! Early registration ends on Saturday, August 1, 2009! To reserve your spot, visit: http://www.nationalrehab.org/

NCDDR Webcast On Technology Transfer

2009-06-25T15:10:00.002-05:00

Please join NCDDR for a webcast hosted by SEDL and the Center on Knowledge Translation for Technology Transfer (KT4TT), in collaboration with the Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) program at Memorial Herman/TIRR.
Monday, June 29, 2009: Knowledge Translation for Technology Transfer: Ensuring Beneficial Impacts from Research & Development

The 60-minute webcast will begin at 3:00pm Eastern; 2:00pm Central; 1:00pm Mountain; 12:00pm Pacific; 11:00am Alaska; 9:00am Hawaii.
Webcast Registration (no fee to participate):https://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/12291g3dc20

NCDDR is working with The University at Buffalo Continuing Education Office to offer 0.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for participating in the webcast. Note that a fee of $15 would be required by the Continuing Education Office to process the CEUs. Information about how to request the CEUs will be provided at a later date.

You may read this online: http://www.ncddr.org/webcasts/18/index.html

Jamaican Culture and Rehabilitation Issues

2009-06-24T14:50:00.001-05:00

You are invited to join a webcast hosted by the National Center for the Dissemination of Disability Research (NCDDR) on Thursday, July 16, 2009: Jamaican Culture and Rehabilitation Issues. The featured presenter is Doreen M. Miller, RhD, CRC.

The 90-minute webcast will begin at 3:00pm Eastern; 2:00pm Central; 1:00pm Mountain; 12:00pm Pacific; 11:00am Alaska; 9:00am Hawaii.

The webcast is presented in collaboration with the Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) program at Memorial HermanTIRR. Webcast Registration (no fee to participate):https://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/12291g3e38e SEDL has received pre-approval from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) for 1.5 Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Continuing Education Units (CRC-CEUs) for participating in the webcast, or viewing the archive of the webcast, through 12-31-09.

NRCA Announces Medicare Committee Draft

2009-06-23T15:38:00.002-05:00

From the National Rehabilitation Counseling Association:

The three House committees with jurisdiction over health care—the House Ways & Means Committee, the House Energy & Commerce Committee, and the House Education & Labor Committee—have released draft health care reform legislation, including provisions to update the Medicare program.

Importantly, the draft legislation (known as the “Tri-Committee” draft) would establish Medicare coverage of licensed professional counselors and marriage and family therapists. The legislation makes significant changes to the way the current health insurance marketplace works in the U.S., with the goal of building on our current system to broaden coverage and constrain health care cost increases. Information on the legislation, including the bill text and a summary, is on the House Education & Labor Committee’s website at http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2009/06/health-care-reform-house-dems.shtml

New CRCC Salary Report on Rehab Counselors

2009-06-15T12:04:00.004-05:00

CRCC, US-- The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification released the "CRCC Issues 2008 Salary Report: An Update on Salaries in the Rehabilitation Counseling Profession".
In May 2007, CRCC conducted constituent research among 1,220 Certified Rehabilitation Counselors. The resulting 2008 Salary Report provides valuable insights and is a resource in helping to assess how individual compensation compares across fellow Certified Rehabilitation Counselors. Areas addressed include salary by demographics, disability, education, work setting, and length of time in the rehabilitation counseling profession.

The 2008 Salary Report is available on the CRCC website, News & Events page, or www.crccertification.com/pages/news_events/117.php or at http://www.crccertification.com/filebin/pdf/CRCC_2008SalaryReport_FINAL.pdf

Legislative Update- HELP Committee

2009-06-15T10:48:00.001-05:00

From Patricia Leahy-
Senator Kennedy's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee recently released a 615 page health care reform draft bill, entitled "Affordable Health Choices Act," which includes insurance market reforms, a prohibition on insurers from denying coverage to sick people, a mandate on individuals who want coverage and marketplaces where people can compare and buy coverage. Senator Chris Dodd (D.CONN.), the second Ranking Democrat on the Senate HELP Committee will lead this legislation through the Senate while the Chairman of the HELP Committee, Senator Edward Kennedy, continues to recuperate from brain cancer. The Committee will mark up this legislation beginning next week.

June 22, 2009 Olmstead Anniversary

2009-06-15T10:45:00.001-05:00

From Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey Continues--
June 22, 2009 marks the 10th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Olmstead ruling for disability civil rights. Nearly ten years after the disability civil rights movement's victory in the Olmstead decision, incremental progress has occurred. Still, more than 313,000 people with disabilities in nursing homes (23% of the total) want to live in the community, and yet are denied their civil right to integration, primarily because of Medicaid's historical bias in favor of segregation.

How hard is it to understand and accept that, but for the denial of civil rights, many institutionalized people with disabilities would live in the community with adequate programs and supports, especially since its cheaper for the federal government and states to provide such programs and supports in the community?

How hard would it be to enact a Disability Civil Rights Act in 2009 to end unnecessary segregation just as Congress did with the Civil Rights Acts in the 1960s? Will U.S. Attorney General Holder look to how U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy addressed ending discrimination in the 1960s? General Holder could start by looking at the 313,000 people with disabilities living in nursing facilities who have said they do not want unnecessary institutionalized. He could inform states that Olmstead and the ADA/504 require providing real choice for people with disabilities who are segregated and want to live in the community.

Back issues of other Information Bulletins are available online at http://www.stevegoldada.com with a searchable Archive at this site divided into different subjects. To contact Steve Gold directly, write to stevegoldada@cs.com or call 215-627-7100.

Disability Info on Twitter

2009-06-10T09:37:00.002-05:00

You can now follow DisabilityInfo.gov updates at http://twitter.com/Disabilitygov <http://twitter.com/Disabilitygov! Keep up with the latests information with ease. Twitter accounts are free and easy to set up. Visit: http://twitter.com/

Campaign for Disability Employment News

2009-06-10T09:35:00.002-05:00

The Campaign for Disability Employment, a newly-formed collaborative of leading disability organizations funded by the Office of Disability Employment Policy of the U.S. Department of Labor, has announced an online video contest to promote the talent and skills that people with disabilities bring to America's workforce and economy. Videos received by July 15, 2009 will be judged by a panel of representatives from member organizations of the Campaign for Disability Employment.
This information has recently been updated, and can be read by visiting this link:
http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=10

National Association of Service Providers in Private Rehabilitation

2009-06-01T12:30:00.000-05:00

Join us for our Pre-Conference Session Thursday, September 10, 2009
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm at the National Rehabilitation Association Annual Training Conference: Marriot-Louisville Downtown, Louisville, Kentucky September 10-13,2009
For Pre-Conference registration and discount information go to http://www.nationalrehab.org

A new Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification becomes effective on January 1, 2010. Learn about the additions and modifications to this new Code and methods of applying those changes to your daily practice.Don’t miss this opportunity to stay current with the new CRCC Code of Ethics and earn ethics contact hours too!

**By registering for this Pre-Conference and the National Rehabilitation Training Conference, you will receive a 20%discountoff the National Rehabilitation Training Conference registration fee.

80,000 Texas Children Need Your Help

2009-06-01T12:28:00.000-05:00

From the Center for Public Policy Priorities: Affordable health insurance for 80,000 uninsured children is in jeopardy because state leaders think it's not a priority--for you. Last week, the Texas House blocked consideration of the CHIP buy-in bill. The Governor said he does not support it because, "That is not what I consider to be a piece of legislation that has the vast support of the people of the state of Texas." If you support the CHIP buy=in bill, state leaders need to hear from you immediately. We still have a chance today to get this done:
Call Governor Perry at 1.888.746.9714 and tell him, "I and the majority of Texans DO support a CHIP buy-in." Call Speaker Straus, Lt. Governor Dewhurst, and your representatives and tell them: "Pass the CHIP buy-in. A clear vehicle already exists in SB 841 and HB 2962."
Speaker Straus: 1.888.327.2086
Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst: 1.866.934.2619
Find your legislator: http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/

ORTIZ, JR. PRAISES PASSAGE OF STATE BUDGET

2009-06-01T12:26:00.001-05:00

AUSTIN-The Texas House of Representatives gave final approval today to the State of Texas 2010-2011 budget, including important investments in health care and education and $ 4 million for a new mechanical engineering program at Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi.

"This budget does a good job of funding the essential services that Texans need in these tough economic times," Ortiz said. "I commend House Appropriations Chairman Jim Pitts, Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, and the other budget conferees for their hard work addressing the priorities of the State of Texas."

The budget includes:
• a 1.9 % reduction in General Revenue spending
• a tax cut for small businesses
• 4 % across-the-board increase in funding for higher education
• $4 million for a new mechanical engineering program at TAMUCC
• $1 million for a small business incubator at TAMUCC
• $141 million each year to fund educator salary increases for public school teachers
• $264 million increase in higher education financial aid
• $8 million each year to go towards Texas reading, math, and science initiatives
• $500 one-time payment to be distributed to retired teachers and state employees
• $10 million to fund seat belts on school buses
• $12.6 million each year to fight coastal erosion
• $464 million to increase home and community-bases services for persons with developmental disabilities
• $12 billion in Federal Stimulus Funding.
• $450 million in bonds approved for the cancer prevention & research
"This is a balanced, fiscally responsible budget," Ortiz said. "With the assistance of federal stimulus funding, we controlled spending, made important investments in education, health care, and transportation, and achieved a big victory for Corpus Christi with the new engineering program at TAMUCC.
For more information on the budget, visit http://www.lbb.state.tx.us/ or contact Rep. Ortiz's office.

NRAJPD Plans Pre-Conference

2009-05-18T10:27:00.003-05:00

The National Rehabilitation Association of Job Placement and Development, in conjunction with the Kentucky Association of Job Placement and Development, will host an NRA Pre-Conference seminar on Thursday September 10, 2009. Although the specific topic and speaker are not finalized, this will be a program of interest to placement service providers. We anticipate this to be a half-day program. Look for more details in upcoming issues of Contemporary Rehab.

70K Texans To Lose Emergency Compensation

2009-05-18T10:15:00.000-05:00

About 70,000 Texans will exhaust their federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) beginning in July. Currently pending in House Calendars, SB 1569 protects unemployed Texans and qualifies Texas for $555 million in federal funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). However, the Legislature has overlooked an entirely separate pot of money in the ARRA that is equally important. The ARRA will pick up the 100% of the costs to extend UI for these Texans, delivering more than $250 million in federal funds into the Texas economy without any state costs.

Read the Center for Public Policy Priorities policy page to learn more, including how many Texans in each House legislative district will lose federally funded Emergency Unemployment Compensation if the Legislature fails to act: http://www.cppp.org/research.php?aid=886