Employment Briefly

In California, working with a disability just got easier
The California Work Incentives Initiative at the World Institute on Disability recently launched its new website "Disability Benefits 101: Working with a Disability in California" for workers and job seekers with disabilities. Over a million working-age Californians with disabilities are unemployed. Many want to work, but are afraid of losing crucial health or other needed benefits and lack information to make sound decisions.

Disability Benefits 101 provides updated and accurate information on employment, health coverage and benefits and features detailed descriptions of state, federal and private benefit programs and how they interact with employment. Other features include articles featuring sample life situations; guides to health coverage and benefit programs; plain language descriptions and complete accessibility for screen readers; access to local and other resources; and a search engine, site map and glossary. The website will aid people with disabilities to make good financial and employment choices and will also serve as a much-needed tool for benefits planners and service providers.

In 2004, Disability Benefits 101 plans to install an interactive bulletin board where a Program Analyst will answer questions. The website will also offer a benefits planner registry and add more program descriptions, including Medicare and Individual Development Accounts (IDAs).

For more information, please visit http://www.disabilitybenefits101.org or http://www.db101.org

AT Works : Tech Connections online tutorial series on workplace accommodations using assistive technology
Tech Connections has developed a series of case study-based online tutorials on applications of assistive technology (AT) in the workplace covering office settings, production settings and food service settings. Each tutorial includes an introduction and a brief overview of the job accommodation process; a slide presentation, in PowerPoint, that provides principles of ergonomic and universal design and an overview of AT that can be used to help perform essential functions in that industry, complete with lecture notes; written case studies of individuals working in the industry, with training exercises; a videotape of the individuals featured in the case studies; and a listing of additional resources. These materials are available in alternate formats and the videos are available in standard videotape or on a CD. The packets are available at the production cost of $45 each. In addition, all parts may be downloaded at with the exception of the case study videos (which may be ordered separately). Please contact Tech Connections to order via telephone in the U.S.: (1-877-TEK-SEEK) or via fax: (404-385-0641).

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