The Employment First Community of Practice will host a webinar on “Competitive Integrated Employment in 2020 – Consumer and Provider Perspectives” on December 9, 2020 from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Eastern Time (ET). This webinar will share stories about how people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have adapted to employment changes during the COVID-19 pandemic so that they can continue to work. It will also outline ways that employment services providers have changed their job development and job coaching strategies.

• Register for “Competitive Integrated Employment in 2020 – Consumer and Provider Perspectives”

Pre-Employment Transition Services Funding

The Employment First Community of Practice webinar on “Pre-Employment Transition Services Flexibility Regarding the Use of Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Funds” is available for viewing. The webinar provides an overview and background of the Notice of Interpretation (NOI) published in the Federal Register on February 28, 2020 by the US Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services about the State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program. The NOI addresses questions and comments about reserve funds’ allowable use for auxiliary aids and services; it also addresses questions concerning other VR services listed in the Rehabilitation Act.

• View “Pre-Employment Transition Services Flexibility Regarding the Use of Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Funds”

Disability Employment Etiquette

The Council of State Governments (CSG) and the State Exchange on Employment and Disability will present a webinar on “Disability Employment Etiquette” on December 11, 2020 from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET as part of CSG’s 2020 National Conference. The webinar will focus on interacting with people with disabilities and creating inclusive workplaces.

• Register for “Disability Employment Etiquette”

Ensuring a Disability Perspective in State Policy

The webinar on “Ensuring a Disability Perspective in State Policy”, hosted by the Council of State Governments (CSG) and the State Exchange on Employment and Disability, is available for viewing. The webinar, which was held as part of the CSG 2020 National Conference, features discussions on how states can include individuals with disabilities in broader policymaking, including a disability perspective on commissions on transportation, the future of work, and other state initiatives. It was the final episode in an ADA30 series produced by CSG that explored the origin and legacy of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

• Register to watch “Ensuring a Disability Perspective in State Policy”
• Visit the ADA30 Series Archive

Making Documents Accessible

The Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology released “Making Documents Accessible.” This resource provides steps to follow to ensure that documents are designed so that people with and without disabilities can easily access and edit them.

• Read “Making Documents Accessible”

COVID-19 Accessible Materials for People with Disabilities Webinar Series

The Georgia Tech Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation is presenting the COVID-19 Accessible Materials for People with Disabilities webinar series. Included is “A Closer Look: Mental Health and Resilience within the Disability Community During COVID-19”, which will be held on December 16, 2020 from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm ET. This webinar will explore the mental health and resilience of people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic and ways service providers can access relevant resources. Additional webinars include “Making Social Media Accessible for People with Disabilities”, which will be held on January 20, 2021 from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm ET, and “A Closer Look: Guidance for Businesses and Employers Considering the Needs of People with Disabilities During COVID-19”, which will be held on February 10, 2021 from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm ET.

• Register for “A Closer Look: Mental Health and Resilience within the Disability Community During COVID-19”
• Register for “Making Social Media Accessible for People with Disabilities”
• Register for “A Closer Look: Guidance for Businesses and Employers Considering the Needs of People with Disabilities During COVID-19”