Top Supported Employment News of 2001
From the newsletter InfoLines at http://www.trninc.com/infolines.htm
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1. RSA: Sheltered Work No Longer an Employment Outcome for VR
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Early in the year, the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) issued its final rules that removed sheltered work, otherwise known as extended employment, from accepted employment outcomes funded by vocational rehabilitation (VR). RSA stated that this change is consistent with the Act's emphasis on the integration into society of persons with disabilities.
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2. PCEPD Folded into DOL
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The President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities (PCEPD), which provided disability vocational resources for over 50 years, was replaced by an Office on Disability Policy within the Department of Labor (DOL).
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3. SSA Changes in 2001
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The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced new rules for 2001. These changes allow more persons with disabilities to test their ability to work without fear of losing their cash benefits and important health care coverage. The first one increased the amount of earnings considered to be gainful employment. Another changed the trial work period (TWP) and allowed beneficiaries to remain eligible longer in Social Security's work incentive program. The third change allowed for more income to be excluded when a student who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) returns to work.
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4. Bush Unveils New Freedom Initiative for Americans with Disabilities
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President Bush proposed a comprehensive New Freedom Initiative "to help ensure that all Americans with disabilities have every chance to use their own skills and make more of their own choices to pursue the American dream." A variety of new grants were announced for developing new programs for persons with disabilities in support of the initiative.
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5. Presidential Task Force: Focus on People with the Most Significant Disabilities
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The Presidential Task Force on the Employment of People with Disabilities recommended developing a coordinated plan for increasing employment and wages for people with the most significant disabilities.
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6. Supreme Court Limits Employment Discrimination Lawsuits
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The US Supreme Court ruled that states are not be liable for private employment discrimination lawsuits under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) from state employees with disabilities.
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7. Incorrect Sub-minimum Wages Being Paid to Workers with Disabilities
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A US government audit found that many workers with disabilities were not receiving the correct wage prescribed under US law.
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8. US DOL Launches Employer Referral Network
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Employers seeking to hire people with disabilities can now take advantage of a new service available through the Office of Disability Employment Policy of the US Department of Labor, the Employer Assistance Referral Network (EARN).
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9. First Individual Training Accounts for Workers Established
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A new initiative funded by the US Department of Labor will mean workers seeking job training will have a greater range of choices, with better information about those who provide training. The nation's first individual training accounts are being established with $6.4 million from 13 grants.
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10. New Resources Published for Disability Professionals
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Supported Employment in Business: edited by Paul Wehman. This definitive reference book covers all the cutting edge issues of supported employment. 30 nationally known contributors address topics ranging from funding to job development to intervention techniques in 322 information-packed pages. ($34.95 plus $4 shipping). Preview: http://www.trninc.com/seinbus.htm.
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Effective Training at Work, a multimedia training program for supported employment on CD, This six-hour program provides interactive instruction with mini-lectures, demonstrations and advice from veteran job coaches, employers and supported workers in more than 400 videos. Pop quizzes, tracking and testing for supervisors. ($49 plus $5 shipping). Preview or order at http://www.trninc.com/effectivetrng.htm.
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30 Ways to Shine as a New Employee, by Denise Bissonnette. This manual can help employees with disabilities with job retention and success, including: dealing with stress, responding well to feedback, working with difficult people and 27 more job-related skills. ($29.95 plus $4 shipping). To preview: http://www.trninc.com/30ways.htm.
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One Person at a Time tells how one agency transformed services to individualized supported living ($24.95 plus $4 shipping). For more info: http://www.trninc.com/oneperson.htm.
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