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Information, resources and research about work and disability issues
October 2008 | Visit Worksupport.com

Upcoming Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project (HVRP) Webcast

Robyn Hoeschen
Robyn Hoeschen

Accessible Transportation Options

Date:10/30/2008 | Time: 2:00pm ET
Presenter: Robyn Hoeschen, Easter Seals Project ACTION

Homeless veterans face many obstacles while integrating into employment, including transportation barriers. While each community's needs are diverse, coordination and collaboration between human service organizations and transportation providers will often present transportation solutions. Robyn Hoeschen, Information Specialist with Easter Seals Project ACTION, will share information about community transportation options.

She will provide tips and resources on how to find accessible transportation options already available in your community, as well as how to begin new transportation initiatives like volunteer driver programs, voucher programs, and travel training programs.

Register for this HVRP webcast (Complimentary)

HVRP (Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project) Technical Assistance Center is funded by grant #HV-16488-07-75-5-51with the US DOL.


START-UP/USA Self-Employment Fact Sheet

Self-Employment Q and A: Frequently Asked Questions from Families Factsheet

Transition age youth with disabilities are increasingly exploring self-employment as a vocational option. Owning a business presents a myriad of opportunities to attain personal wealth, a respected role in the community, and a sense of accomplishment. However, families often have questions that require serious reflection and investigation prior to deciding that self-employment is the desired employment outcome.

This Q and A will present some of the commonly asked questions from parents and students with disabilities who are considering business ownership. Read this factsheet

Start-Up-USA is funded by cooperative agreement # E-9-4-6-0111 from the U.S. DOL-ODEP.


RRTC Welcomes Dr. Laura Owens as the New Executive Director of APSE

Laura OwensThe RRTC would like to welcome Laura Owens as the New Executive Director of APSE. APSE, the Network on Employment, is a membership organization formed in 1988 to improve and expand integrated employment opportunities, services, and outcomes for persons experiencing disabilities.

Find out more about APSE by visiting their website, http://www.apse.org


Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation Article

Customized Employment: Where we are; where we are headed?

Customized Employment (CE) represents the natural evolution of supported employment (SE). The techniques used challenge traditional methods and build on SE and relevant competitive employment strategies, but they do represent a departure from having the local job market needs dictate the employment sought.

Instead, CE starts with the person and engages employers through an interest-based negotiation revealing the benefits hiring a specific job seeker will have for both parties. The promise of this approach is that stereotypical jobs are reduced and employment better matching an individual’s “personal genius” occurs.

Read this JVR article

Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy Neil Romano Speaks at START-UP/USA Meeting

Neil RomanoAssistant Secretary Neil Romano recently addressed the START-UP/USA meeting participants in Washington, D.C. The meeting brought together the projects funded by the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) from Alaska, Florida, and New York. These projects are providing support to entrepreneurs with disabilities while demonstrating innovative practices that will facilitate self-employment outcomes. Find out more about the resources and technical assistance that are available through START-UP/USA by visiting their website. Also read Neil Romano's Message for National Disability Employment Awareness Month.


October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced that "America's People, America's Talent... America's Strength!" will be the official 2008 theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which is observed in October nationwide. The 2008 theme captures the accomplishments highlighted in the 2007 progress report on President Bush's New Freedom Initiative for people with disabilities. Read the News Release


VCU - RRTC Products

VCU RRTC Product brochureAvailable Resources

This brochure provides a complete listing of available products and their descriptions. There is a printable order form, or you may order directly from our secure online store. We accept major credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover).

Shop Online | Print Brochure

 

VCU-RRTC is funded by grant #H133B040011 with the US DOE - NIDRR.


Success Stories

Promoting Partnerships Case Study

Promoting Partnerships & Employment for People with Disabilities - Success Stories

Mr. T is an individual with Cerebral Palsy. He currently works for the State of Virginia as a Governor’s Special Advisor for disability issues and workforce. He works full time in a salaried, benefited position and has been on the job for 19 months.

Mr. T works 4 days a week on workforce issues and 1 day a week with the Secretary of Health and Human Services on all kinds of issues such as Olmstead, and Money Follows the Person Project. His charge is to make sure the state lives up to their responsibility with Olmstead and working and hiring people with disabilities. Read this Success Story

This activity is funded by a grant with the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities and the VCU-RRTC.


START-UP/USA Self-Employment Online Seminar

Bill Wersell
Bill Wersell

Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)

Listen to this interview with Bill Wersell, Regional Director, for the SBDC in Northwestern OH. The SBDC is a national program funded by the Small Business Administration and by a state's department of development and usually also by the host company or organization that houses the SBDC office. Listen to this interview

Start-Up-USA is funded by cooperative agreement # E-9-4-6-0111 from the U.S. DOL-ODEP.