Webinar series: Spring 2021
What Employers Need to Know about Workplace Accommodations for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
March 23, 2021 2 P.M. - 3 P.M.​
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Karen Milchus, M.S. and Ben Satterfield, Ed.D. both work at Georgia Institute of Technology. Ms. Milchus works for the Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA). Dr. Satterfield works for Tools for Life.
Despite being frequently overlooked in the hiring process, workers with disabilities are often viewed as among the most loyal and motivated employees. Given the right supports these individuals can be successful in a variety of emerging and important industries. This presentation looks at the process of implementing workplace accommodations for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities from the employer’s perspective. It presents an overview of a research project at Georgia Tech’s Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation that is developing a tool to assist employers in the selection and implementation of workplace accommodations. The speakers will share some findings from the research concerning strategies and solutions for workers with intellectual and developmental disabilities.​
Expanding Opportunities Through Telework: For the Covid Era and Beyond
March 30, 2021 2 P.M. – 3 P.M.
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Tracy Rackensperger, Ph.D. is the Resources and Outreach Manager for our Advancing Employment initiative. Dr. Rackensperger holds a public service faculty position within the College of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Georgia, Institute on Human Development and Disability.
Teleworking provides many opportunities and benefits for people with disabilities. At a time when many of us are teleworking, we have come to learn the many advantages and challenges of working from home. This webinar explores several items related to supporting people with disabilities in teleworking situations. We will discuss the definition and models of telework, the advantages and disadvantages for people with disabilities, addressing literacy and the digital divide, supports needed, problem-solving issues of social isolation, and the impact Covid has had on advancing telework. Dr. Rackensperger will speak to her research about this area as well as her own experiences teleworking as a person with disabilities.​
Tell the Valued Story: Visual Resumes
April 6, 2021 2 P.M. - 3 P.M.
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Amy Price (Price Support Network), Carl King (Carl King Films), and Gillian Grable (IHDD)
Join us as we have a conversation about storytelling, visual resumes, and the importance of capturing socially valued roles such as taxpayer, employee, and purchaser. Amy Price will highlight the use of these visual tools in customized job development, while Carl King will provide tips for ensuring quality video and photos are used. Gillian Grable will share insights regarding socially valued roles, and her persistent and unique approach to enlisting community members as collaborators. Resources regarding storytelling, journalism, and disability will be shared.
Self-Employment from a Parent’s Perspective
April 14, 2021 2 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.
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Sue Babin, Deb Wood, and Sheila Coyne
The Rhode Island DD Council’s self-employment project was one of our most popular webinars from the Fall 2020 series. Back by popular demand, join us as we hear from parents who are supporting loved ones as they pursue their employment dreams through entrepreneurial ventures. We will discuss the role of self-directing waiver services, family supports, marketing, and collaborative partnerships. Sheila Coyne and her son, Michael, have opened two businesses together – one a coffeehouse and the other a retail shop that sells items made by other business owners with disabilities and local entrepreneurs. Deb Wood and her son, Jason, started their business of making and selling jams before growing into an entire product line. Their latest initiative is organizing outdoor markets for vendors from throughout the state that support people with disabilities.
Thinking and Acting with Fidelity to Best Practices
April 20, 2021 2 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.
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Steve Hall, Ph.D., Director of Employment Policy and Research at Griffin-Hammis Associates and Patty Cassidy, Senior Associate at Griffin-Hammis Associates
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What does it mean to provide employment services to fidelity? Why set a standard for the delivery of discovery, customized job development, and consultative on-the-job supports for learning? Spend 90 minutes hearing from Steve and Patty on all things related to fidelity including key highlights such as: enlisting citizens to support a job seeker’s interests; the differences between traditional job development and customized employer engagement and job creation; and the role of co-workers in training. With research on the three fidelity scales (Discovery Fidelity Scale, Job Development Fidelity Scale, and the Consultative Employment Training and Supports Fidelity Scale) published in the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation and elsewhere, don’t miss this opportunity to learn about how fidelity to best practices will shape employment services now and in the future.
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The Transition to CE Integrated Day Support
April 27, 2021 2 P.M. – 3:0 P.M.
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Katrina Spooner, MHSA, Chief Administrative Officer of The Arc Macon and Dale Verstegen, MBA, Senior Research Associate at TransCen, Inc.
Have you ever wondered how you could create more meaningful day services for the people you support AND get them to work? Here is the solution – develop a plan focused on creating pathways to community employment and building skills! This webinar will walk you through the planning process developed by The Arc Macon and Dale Verstegen with TransCen, Inc. to combine Employment Services and Day Support Departments to create more well-rounded supports with an employment focus. There is a push to support the idea of Employment First across the state. But for some people, they still do not see community integrated employment as a viable option. Giving up the structure and predictability of day programs or facility-based services for a job in the community may seem daunting or impossible to manage. The Arc Macon is modeling this transformation after the work of TransCen, Inc. who established WorkLink, a program that integrates “waiver services” with VR-funded Supported Employment. Integrating services creates responsive, wrap-around supports and service plans that can be customized for each person supported.