Great ideas do not originate with a specific race, gender, color, creed, sexual orientation or physical ability. They can come from anyone. Thus, to get the best ideas, organizations must hire a diverse mix of employees. This mixture must include people with disabilities if an organization wants to maximize all of the resources available to [...]
On October 22nd over 100 “witches” gathered and collected food for the Community Food bank for the Manchester and the Mountains Chamber of Commerce. The Witches of Northshire included three from the Southshire (Bennington) VABIR and VR office. Janet Cunningham Employment Consultant with VABIR, Sue McInstosh and Kathy Velon, of VR.
People with disabilities face lack of access to facilities, services
By Sue McGreevey
Masschusetts General Hospital Public Affairs
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Two decades after the Americans with Disabilities Act went into effect, people with disabilities continue to face difficulties meeting major social needs, including obtaining appropriate access to health care facilities and services.
In an article in the October [...]
NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH, 2011
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Utilizing the talents of all Americans is essential for our Nation to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world. During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we recognize the skills that people with disabilities bring to our workforce, and we rededicate ourselves to improving employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors for those living with disabilities.
More than 20 years after the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals with disabilities, including injured veterans, are making immeasurable contributions to workplaces across our country. Unfortunately, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities remains too high — nearly double the rate of people without disabilities — and reversing this trend is crucial.
This webinar by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Training Institute will be held on September 14, 2011 at 1 – 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time. It will cover the basic requirements of reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), address issues that come up when reasonable accommodation is requested, and offer advice [...]
“Profit by Investing in Workers with Disabilities”
The 2011 theme emphasizes the rich diversity and talent that workers with disabilities bring to the workplace.
The theme serves to inform the public that workers with disabilities contribute to the output of any organization. According to Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy, “Return on investment [...]
Have you ever had a certain impression about what a certain field of work was like, only to have that impression change significantly once you worked in that field or explored it more closely?
The following are methods for helping people with disabilities (or any job seeker) determine what direction to go with their job search.
The Austin Harmony Project provides special needs citizens the opportunity to be involved in the arts. Harmony utilizes the arts as a natural means to positively stimulate and celebrate life, while giving each participant a deserved sense of well-being.
Basic Function
To help people with disabilities become and remain employed by performing a variety of liaison functions with employers and the State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation within an assigned geographic area.
Characteristic Duties & Responsibilities
Provide direct assistance to job seekers:
Serve as liaison with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and other agencies involved in direct assistance to people with disabilities. Provide information on employers’ hiring criteria and job demands, coordinate job referrals, placement and follow up.
Prepare a variety of reports documenting activities of the job seekers and employers contacted on their behalf. Meet with the local VR representative as needed to discuss job seeker and employer activities.
Participate in a variety of VABIR and interagency staff and committee meetings to plan, evaluate and coordinate programs, services, and activities.
Serve as a liaison with area employers:
Maintain a constant presence in the employing community by attending business functions such as those sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, by addressing business groups such as Rotary, and through direct correspondence and mailings. Initiate and implement workshops. When appropriate participate in arranging media coverage.
Supervision Received
General supervision is received from the Executive Director or Assistant Director.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field, plus two years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired.
