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<p class="MsoPlainText">FYI<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Microsoft is partnering with Be My Eyes, a volunteer network using video chat to offer visual information to users who are not able to see the environment, to offer specialized services through specific business portals for those needing
technical assistance, wanting to shop or otherwise learn about products. Suggestions from the user community are welcome. Details here:
<a href="https://www.applevis.com/blog/assistive-technology-ios-apps-news/microsoft-partners-be-my-eyes-offer-specialized-help-its" target="_blank">
https://www.applevis.com/blog/assistive-technology-ios-apps-news/microsoft-partners-be-my-eyes-offer-specialized-help-its</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">If you have a disability and 2+ years’ experience in STEM Finance or Business and are seeking a new career, Connect April 20 with 11 Fortune/Global 500 companies during the USBLN Virtual Career Invitational. Participating companies are
looking to recruit disability talent for great career opportunities. Details and sign-up here:
<a href="http://www.usbln.org/RecruitDisabilityTalent/" target="_blank">http://www.usbln.org/RecruitDisabilityTalent/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="color:#1F497D"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Employees with disabilities understand how <a href="http://www.peatworks.org/talentworks/resources/accessible-vs-assistive" target="_blank" title="Link to the Accessible Technology vs. Assistive Technology page on the PEAT website">
accessible and assistive technology (AT)</a> can help them in their career choices are most likely to be successful. Being proactive is the key. This blog provides 7 logical steps to take.
<a href="https://choosework.ssa.gov/blog/2018-02-22-accessible-technology-in-the-workplace" target="_blank">
https://choosework.ssa.gov/blog/2018-02-22-accessible-technology-in-the-workplace</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Disability and workforce development service providers play a key role in helping job seekers with disabilities find and succeed in employment. But they also serve employers - by identifying and connecting with individuals to meet their
workforce needs. Now, a new guide from EARN, developed with input from the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation's National Employment Team, examines this "dual customer" approach in depth. Read the guide here:
<a href="http://www.askearn.org/engaging-employers-a-guide-for-disability-and-workforce-development-service-providers/" target="_blank">
http://www.askearn.org/engaging-employers-a-guide-for-disability-and-workforce-development-service-providers/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">An Executive Consultant for Cisco discussed the company’s Project Life Changer, an inclusive hiring program focused on recruiting and retaining employees with disabilities. The podcast is one in the “Future of Work” series produced by
the Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology in collaboration with Workology.com to start conversations around how emerging workplace technology trends are impacting people with disabilities. Access the podcast here:
<a href="http://www.peatworks.org/futureofwork/podcast/2017/12/Cisco" target="_blank">
http://www.peatworks.org/futureofwork/podcast/2017/12/Cisco</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">To ensure that internship opportunities are open to all qualified candidates, including those with disabilities, ODEP offers “Inclusive Internship Programs: A How-to Guide for Employers.” This resource discusses the value of internships
to intern and employer alike. It also provides practical information on workplace accommodations for interns with disabilities and resources such as sample position descriptions and self-assessment and evaluation forms.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flinks.govdelivery.com%3A80%2Ftrack%3Ftype%3Dclick%26enid%3DZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTgwMjIzLjg1ODYxOTUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE4MDIyMy44NTg2MTk1MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3NDk0OTIxJmVtYWlsaWQ9ZWxpemFiZXRoLnNhbW1vbnNAb29kLm9oaW8uZ292JnVzZXJpZD1lbGl6YWJldGguc2FtbW9uc0Bvb2Qub2hpby5nb3YmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg%3D%3D%26%26%26104%26%26%26https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dol.gov%2Fodep%2Fpdf%2FInclusiveInternshipPrograms.pdf&data=02%7C01%7Celizabeth.sammons%40ood.ohio.gov%7C410c7ea17c72415addff08d57ac8b000%7C50f8fcc494d84f0784eb36ed57c7c8a2%7C0%7C0%7C636549924778721943&sdata=yzWjXhjM9usgbclGyyRmJDBUZWHngnhPa4mMXV8pZ5Q%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flinks.govdelivery.com%3A80%2Ftrack%3Ftype%3Dclick%26enid%3DZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTgwMjIzLjg1ODYxOTUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE4MDIyMy44NTg2MTk1MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3NDk0OTIxJmVtYWlsaWQ9ZWxpemFiZXRoLnNhbW1vbnNAb29kLm9oaW8uZ292JnVzZXJpZD1lbGl6YWJldGguc2FtbW9uc0Bvb2Qub2hpby5nb3YmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg%3D%3D%26%26%26104%26%26%26https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dol.gov%2Fodep%2Fpdf%2FInclusiveInternshipPrograms.pdf&data=02%7C01%7Celizabeth.sammons%40ood.ohio.gov%7C410c7ea17c72415addff08d57ac8b000%7C50f8fcc494d84f0784eb36ed57c7c8a2%7C0%7C0%7C636549924778721943&sdata=yzWjXhjM9usgbclGyyRmJDBUZWHngnhPa4mMXV8pZ5Q%3D&reserved=0</a>><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Last December, the Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology hosted a meeting with Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Jennifer Sheehy at the Microsoft Innovation & Policy Center. The aim was
refining efforts and exploring key issues related to accessible workplace technology, from identifying ways to increase hiring people with disabilities, to closing the accessible technology skills gap. Participants included employers, technology developers,
universities, and tech users with disabilities. Read findings here: <a href="http://www.peatworks.org/thinktank/2017" target="_blank">
http://www.peatworks.org/thinktank/2017</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">The LEAD Center has released comprehensive Guided Group Discovery materials, designed to enable youth and adults with disabilities and others to find a job that is a good fit with an employer who values their talents. This Customized
Employment and Guided Group Discovery Information Brief provides a summary of the process and how to access the materials. Read details here:
<a href="http://www.leadcenter.org/resources/report-brief/information-brief-customized-employment-and-guided-group-discovery" target="_blank">
http://www.leadcenter.org/resources/report-brief/information-brief-customized-employment-and-guided-group-discovery</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Coming March 14: Bender free, virtual Career Fair for People with Disabilities: Meet Epic, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Thomson Reuters, US Dept. of Justice, US Secret Service & other Excellent Employers!
Online. Registration and details here:</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><a href="https://www.careereco.com/Fair/EventDetails?fairId=4c573eb5-af3c-4ad9-855a-a831011b640e" target="_blank">https://www.careereco.com/Fair/EventDetails?fairId=4c573eb5-af3c-4ad9-855a-a831011b640e</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers emergency and disability resources.<b>
</b>These include We Prepare Everyday videos featuring people with disabilities preparing for emergencies, articles geared toward different audiences, and guides and training for providers on inclusive shelter and support services. See also a web-based, interactive
course on integrating people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs in disaster operations.
<a href="https://www.fema.gov/disability" target="_blank">https://www.fema.gov/disability</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><b> </b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">This 10-minute YouTube from National Eye Institute describing low-tech solutions in real low-vision settings, plus the emotional impact of vision loss across life, may be a valuable asset to share with those facing this situation. Both
English and Spanish versions are available. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><a href="https://www.nei.nih.gov/lowvision/content/living" target="_blank">https://www.nei.nih.gov/lowvision/content/living</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Understanding the Affordable Care Act: A Toolkit for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselors” is now available. The toolkit is designed as a resource on how recent changes in the health care system can provide additional opportunities
to eliminate barriers to employment. It includes sections on (1) essential health benefits for persons with disabilities, (2) which VR consumers may be a good fit for marketplace coverage, and (3) expanded Medicaid and VR consumers. Link to this free resource
here: <a href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=93195286&msgid=824170&act=1OQJ&c=654309&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iriforum.org%2Fbooks.aspx%2337gw" target="_blank">
http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=93195286&msgid=824170&act=1OQJ&c=654309&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iriforum.org%2Fbooks.aspx%2337gw</a>><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><a href="http://www.lighthouseguild.org/spotlightgateway" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:FranklinGothicFSBook">Spotlight Gateway</span></a><span style="font-family:FranklinGothicFSBook;color:black"> is designed to put an iPad
into the hands of any student with a qualifying vision impairment at no cost. The student can sign up for free with
</span><a href="http://www.afb.org/directory/profile/bookshare/12" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:FranklinGothicFSBook">Bookshare</span></a><span style="font-family:FranklinGothicFSBook;color:black"> to download books and receive an iPad with the
Spotlight Gateway app installed. An ophthalmologist must sign off on the proof of vision impairment, and then can register the student on the Spotlight Gateway website</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">The Department of Veterans Affairs offers make the Connection, an online resource to connect Veterans, their families and friends to information, resources, and solutions to issues affecting their lives, including mental health conditions
and traumatic brain injury. The comprehensive searchable directory links visitors to VA medical centers, mental health programs, benefits counselors, and other local resources. The site also features videos from more than 400 Veterans and their family members,
sharing stories of strength and recovery. More here: <a href="https://maketheconnection.net/" target="_blank">
https://maketheconnection.net/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
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