2017 National APSE PreConference
National APSE is offering 6 engaging pre-conference sessions on Monday June 19th 2017.
Session #1 9am-noon:
Title: Information and Assistive Tech - Job Supports We Want and Need
Summary
Technology offers the potential for incredible supports and truly accessible workplaces. Fully leveraging the use of this equipment is just beginning and we still have a long way to go before employment providers are versed in whatever equipment the job seeker needs. Learn about iPads, environmental devices, apps, features, and adjunct assistive items which are helping people learn about jobs, market themselves, connect with others up close and remotely, be more mobile and interactive on the job, offer task cueing, scheduling, ways to feel more comfortable in the workplace, and promote calmness and centeredness. Doors can be opened remotely, lights turned on and off as cues, sharing in the moment what the work environment looks, overstimulation dealt with, and much more. Learn how the use of technology provides a more person centered experience for the job seeker, and can assist in the right job match. Hear from a special guest co-presenter from Apple! Get the insight on new technology, features, and accessories. Hear what Apple Engineers are talking about and what Apple wants to share regarding accessibility and accommodations
Presenter
Marsha Threlkeld & a special guest from Apple who will share what the Apple Engineers are doing in terms of accessibility and accommodations
Session #2 9am-noon:
Title: WIOA Implementation
Summary
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was signed into law on July 22, 2014. It is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with skilled workers that they need to compete in the global economy. During this session, the Workforce Systems Policy Team from the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and Subject Matter Experts will provide an overview of the projects that ODEP manages to assist states in complying with WIOA. Additionally, participants will hear about the technical assistance that has been provided to Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program States, Disability Employment Initiative grantees and how some of ODEP’s divisions are supporting states to successfully comply with the law. After the overview is provided the state of Ohio will go into detail about the technical assistance that they received to create a multi-system guidance document, Limitations on Use of Subminimum Wage that addresses Section 511 and Pre-Employment Transition Services. Then, participants will divide into small group sessions lead by the ODEP team and SME’s where each cohort will discuss how they can operationalize such guidance into their respective states.
Facilitators: Office of Disability Employment Policy
Presenters:
Stacy Collins, Abby Cooper, Cesilee Coulson & David Michael Mank
Session #3 9am-noon:
Title: On the Job Support: Additional Tools & Techniques for the Toolbox
Summary:
Back by Popular Demand: Job coaching can make or break success in the workplace. With continued budgetary issues in many states, funding of all kinds are being reduced for people with disabilities, including funding for competitive employment success. This means less time for job coaches to foster independence and success for individual placements. Tools, techniques, skills, and best practices (knows as the job coach’s toolbox) are in constant need of development to ensure optimal efficiency and the most positive impact on an individual’s employment skills development. Upgrading the Job Coach’s Toolbox provides a modern approach to assessing skills and levels of independence in the workplace. By reflecting on what tools and techniques job coaches are currently using, a plethora of solutions - that save time, and therefore, resources - can be presented for just about any job coaching situation or experience. With more creative and efficient tools in the job coach’s toolbox, an increase in independence can lead to an increase in successful employment outcomes. A focus of upgrading the job coach’s toolbox is on adaptive technology, and not just for individuals in the workplace. While apps and other adaptive technology for individuals in the workplace is important, electronic assessment tools for workplace culture, task analyses, and measuring levels of independence are available and can be implemented to save job coaches time and maximize efficiency, as well as aid in determining support needs. Overall, participation in this seminar will allow job coaches of all levels of experience to discuss what tools they currently use, challenges they have experienced, and to work together to discuss prepared job coaching scenarios for group discussion. By attending this seminar, participants will have the tools to spend less time accomplishing more goals, especially fostering success and independence for individuals with disabilities in their respective competitive jobs.
Presenter:
Ryan Aldrich
Session #4 1pm-4pm:
Title: Employment First State Leadership & Systems Change
Summary:
Across the country, as states move forward on implementation of Employment First, they are grappling with fundamental changes in their service systems to improve employment outcomes for citizens with disabilities. States are dealing with a variety of issues, ranging from funding, rates, service provider capacity development, cross-system partnerships, data systems, policies that limit the use of segregated services, enhancing transition services, building support among individuals and families, etc. This facilitated session is an opportunity to hear from different states at the same time, about how they are addressing a full range of systems building and systems change issues. The session will be a lively and dynamic learning environment with each state comparing and contrasting their different approaches to the issues discussed, the successes they are having, the challenges they are experiencing, and their plans for the future. This session will in part take a cross-disability and cross-systems look at systems change issues. Both the participating states and audience members will benefit from the extensive cross-fertilization of ideas that can then be utilized to assure that real jobs at real pay are a reality for all.
Facilitators: Amy Gonzalez, Richard Davis
Gonzalez.Amy.M@dol.gov, Davis.Richard.A@dol.gov
Presenters: Subject Matter Experts from various states
Session #5 1pm-4pm:
Title: Employer Engagement
Summary:
Corporate hiring managers will discuss the importance of a truly diverse workforce and will speak to direct experience hiring and retaining employees with disabilities and their supports (if applicable) every day. Panelists will discuss how having a workforce that includes workers with disabilities has improved the company’s bottom line and enriched the workforce environment.
Panelists will discuss how they would like to work with disability service providers, transition personnel and potential employees with disabilities to improve the recruiting, on-boarding and retention processes. This will be an interactive session with attendees to determine what businesses need from the support providers and how to replicate disability inclusion at businesses that have not done so in the past
Session #6 1pm-4pm
Title:The Oregon Peer-to-Peer Mentoring (P2P) Project
Summary:
Over the past year, six Peer Mentors have inspired their peers with IDD in sheltered workshops and day services to work towards community jobs in three Oregon communities. This efforts is targeted to people with IDD attending sheltered workshops or day programs who are not currently pursuing employment goals. Peer Mentors co-lead classes with participants and provide individual mentoring to a small group of people motivated to pursue employment goals. The Peer-to-Peer (P2P) project is a collaboration between the Oregon Self-Advocacy Coalition (OSAC), the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) and the Oregon State Department of Human Services.
This session will start off with an overview of the OSAC and how they initiated the peer employment mentoring project. OSAC leadership will share their experiences advocating for employment and their specific role with P2P. Facilitators will discuss the development of the curricula and working with the Peer Mentors. Peer Mentors will demonstrate parts of the curriculum. We will close with a question and answer period.
Presenters:
Ross Ryan & Gabrielle Guedon