Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports and Job Retention: Information, Resources and Research on Work and Disability Issues

20TH Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act a Cause for Celebration and Rededication to Equal Educational Opportunity for Students with Disabilities

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act's (ADA) enactment by applauding the legislation and by rededicating the U.S. Department of Education to the ADA's effective mplementation. "The Americans with Disabilities Act is a landmark piece of civil rights legislation. It protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination and promotes their full inclusion into education and all other aspects of our society," Duncan said. "I want to celebrate the progress that we've made and highlight our commitment to continuing the work of providing equal access for all Americans. I acknowledge we still have work to do and renew my commitment to ensuring that individuals of all ages and abilities have an equal opportunity to realize their full potential. Full story

The Power of Technology, The Power of Equality

Twenty years ago, a simple, standardized way to link together pages of text via the Internet was invented, and the World Wide Web was born. Perhaps equally amazing as this innovation are all of the commercial communications advances that were either nascent or not even invented then – email, Smartphones, GPS, and the rechargeable batteries that power laptops, cell phones, and cameras to name a few. For as powerful as these inventions were in changing the lives of so many Americans, we recognize that technology has the power not just to entertain but to enhance our work-life experience and connect us to our families and communities. Full story

For Disabled, a Job Hunt Alternative

Mentally and Physically Challenged Adults Seek to Open Their Own Business, but Face Many Hurdles - David Shunkey is autistic and doesn't speak. Around the start of the recession, he got laid off from two jobs. Now he's trying to run his own business. More mentally and physically challenged adults are looking to entrepreneurship as they get closed out of an exceptionally competitive job market, according to several organizations that help the disabled, including Community Options Inc., a nonprofit based in Princeton, N.J. of which Mr. Shunkey is a member. But in an economic climate that's been tough on entrepreneurs, the disabled are no exception, and many face extra challenges. Full story

Millions of books get digitized for the disabled

For those who are blind, dyslexic or have diseases like multiple sclerosis and have difficulty turning book pages, reading the latest best seller just got easier. Brewster Kahle, a digital librarian and founder of a virtual library called the Internet Archive, has launched a worldwide campaign to double the number of books available for print-disabled people. Full story

Program trains young people with autism for jobs

When the six Henrico County students with autism started job-training internships last fall at St. Mary's Hospital, most wouldn't make eye contact with each other or the hospital staff. Yesterday marked a milestone for the students -- they not only completed the internships with more job skills and greater confidence, but they also got job offers to work at St. Mary's. "The whole goal is competitive employment," said Paul Wehman, a Virginia Commonwealth University professor who is lead investigator for a federally funded research project looking at job training models for people with disabilities, including autism. Full story