[NFBOH-Cleveland] Fwd: Ability Front is back!

Fri Jul 13 17:54:33 UTC 2018

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "elizabeth.sammons at ood.ohio.gov" <elizabeth.sammons at ood.ohio.gov>
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2018 12:13:52 +0000
Subject: Ability Front is back!
To:

Welcome to Ability Front!

This issue of Ability Front is gratefully dedicated to the life and
memory of Richard L. Schuster, March 24, 1933-June 27, 2018; thinker,
believer and faithful advocate for those with disability, and all in
need from around the world including this editor, his daughter.

Please go directly to the links provided for additional information.
If you have any news, opportunities or resources you want me to
include in Ability Front, please email me privately for consideration.
My criteria are generally "Will this help fellow Ohioans with
disabilities or disability professionals?" and "Is it timely,
affordable and relevant?" And if you ever want to unsubscribe,
likewise just send me an email.

I'm putting it out, now it's your turn to run with it and pass it on!

Thanks, happy explorations here as always,

Elizabeth L. Sammons

Week of July 13

Did you know?

Is it a genuine effort at respecting the needs of people with
disabilities, or is it just "throwing dust in the eyes of those
Europeans?" BBC explores access in Russia for people with disabilities
attending the World Cup.
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-44769519/how-are-disabled-fans-finding-accessibility-in-russia

No wrong way in! See how States as varied as Vermont, Louisiana and
Minnesota Are Helping People with Disabilities Break into Government
Jobs. http://www.adasoutheast.org/news/articles.php?id=8754

Opportunities

The next free bimonthly film coming August 18 from ReelAbilities Film
Festival movies will span the world and represent the spectrum of
disabilities. All are shown at the Columbus Gateway Theatre with 6PM
happy hour and 7PM showings. For details and schedule, bookmark this
page:   http://myemail.constantcontact.com/2018-ReelAbilities-Film-Festival-Columbus--Announced-.html?soid=1102162096372&aid=HM9uftbsJDU#fblike

July 18, 7:30AM-3:30PM, Join the Live Webcast, Focus On Eye Health
National Summit. Topics include cutting-edge eye health research,
awards and much more.    For details and agenda, visit
www.preventblindness.org/eyesummit<http://www.preventblindness.org/eyesummit>

July 24, 2PM attend this free webinar; Advocacy Strategies for Parents
with Disabilities. Webinar will focus on the rights of parents and
prospective parents with disabilities. Gain a brief overview of
disability rights laws, and their application to families. Presenters
will share advocacy strategies for ensuring accessibility throughout
the community, such as in schools and health care facilities. Social
workers, and others who support parents with disabilities, will gain
an understanding of these families and their rights by learning
directly from parents about their needs and experiences. CART services
provided. Program approved by National Association of Social Workers
(Approval #: 886742820-3476) for 1.5 continuing education contact
hours. Sign up here:
https://brandeis.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Dl6UVcGkSZ2SHDfTQaCzOQ

The 2018 Candidate Forum on Disability Issues is taking place in
Columbus on Thursday, July 26, 12:30-4:30. No worries if you cannot
attend in person; registration now closed. The forum will appear live
on the Facebook page for The Center for Disability Empowerment. Here's
the link: https://www.facebook.com/CtrforDisabilityEmpowerment/

Due Aug. 6: The National Center on Disability and Journalism is
accepting entries for the 2018 Ruderman Family Awards for Excellence
in Reporting on Disability. The contest recognizes the best
English-language reporting on disability issues and people with
disabilities anywhere in the world.  There is no entry fee for the
competition, which is open to digital, broadcast and print media
outlets. Details here: http://ncdj.org/contest/

Disabled & Proud: Leading Change<http://www.disabledandproud.org/> is
an online conference for college students with disabilities, October
11-13. This is a conference for students by students with
disabilities, focused on building up students as leaders for campus
change to improve accessibility, inclusion, and the campus climate for
people with disabilities. Students in any type of degree program, of
any age, with any type of disability are welcome. Nondisabled student
allies are also welcome to attend.

The Ohio Statewide Independent Living Council is beginning the process
to create the next State Plan. This is a 3-year plan that helps to
direct the work in Independent Living in Ohio, and to promote a more
inclusive and accessible State.  We need input and feedback
particularly from our Ohio disability community members. Please take
and share this survey if possible.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SILCSurvey

While discussion continues on making US bills more accessible to
nonvisual users, there's no quick end in sight. However, free currency
readers that make audio or tactile indicators for what money they are
shown are available to qualified US citizens with vision loss. Find
the application and instructions here:

https://moneyfactory.gov/uscurrencyreaderform.html

Most of us face a lot of decisions in our late-teen years as we finish
high school and try to decide where we're heading. This article
outlines many advantages, some of which you might not expect, of
taking a "gap year" between high school and our next steps toward
adulthood. https://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/taking-a-gap-year-before-college/

Resources

Social Security now offers wage reporting not only for SSDI recipients
but also to those on SSI. Learn details and tips for avoiding
overpayments here:
https://choosework.ssa.gov/blog/2018-07-09-update-social-security-online-wage-reporting-service

A new virtual reality training focuses on improving interview skills.
It works through a virtual character named Molly. Molly conducts an
initial 20-minute interview with a user to develop a baseline score.
The process is then repeated to improve users' skills and address
their unique needs. It has been tested by people with various mental
illnesses, mood disorders, and autism. Those who worked with Molly
proved twice as likely to find a job. Teachers rave about how the tool
helps students learn to talk confidently about their job skills.
https://www.michigandaily.com/section/research/vr-job-training-shows-promise-helping-disabled-workers-find-jobs#main-content

Women in Government offers a new podcast on disability and employment:
 "Employer Perspectives for Improving Employment Outcomes for People
with Disabilities." It includes Mark Seifarth, past chair of the Ohio
Developmental Disabilities Council, Maryland Delegate Sheree
Sample-Hughes, Tennessee Senator Becky Duncan Massey and Kathy Burris
of CVS Health. https://soundcloud.com/user-548999638-454857255/women-in-government-podcast-episode3

Results from the annual Disability Equality Index reveal 126 companies
(Including some from Ohio) truly prioritizing the inclusion of people
with disabilities. Participants - Fortune 1000 corporations and Am Law
100 - are leaders across twenty-five unique business sectors with a
significant global presence. The full company list can be accessed
here: https://disabilityequalityindex.org/top_companies

Publisher SR Education Group released its rankings for "2018 Best and
Most Affordable online Colleges for Students with Disabilities," with
the Rochester Institute of Technology ranked as #1 for online
programs, and Cleveland State university earning #1 as most
affordable: https://www.prweb.com/releases/2018/06/prweb15570878.htm

Whether you prefer to read on your computer, smartphone, tablet, or
favorite braille device, there are many ways to read with Bookshare.
See Tools for no-vision readers, readers with learning disabilities,
Low Vision Readers  and more here:
https://www.bookshare.org/cms/help-center/reading-tools/member-preferred-tools?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWkRrNE1qQXlaRGMyTURKbSIsInQiOiJFQTB0NHE1dzlzOFErMGdGSEw0Q1F2NkZ5ZVBCQXV3Y1wvbThKTmdPTDRKUEFDS0NCbTZNU2xDNXNVRTNaRU9BcTBLQXVDUENCVmVcL1h4UVh2SjJENFlMdVNNYlpQekZudEkxaWtaVGNQWEdYWEFrN2pURU92bXY2UHF1TFJpRlBLIn0%3D#LV

In June, The Bureau of Labor Statistics issued a report regarding the
employment of workers with disabilities in 2017. It shows that in
2017, 18.7 percent of people age 16 and older with a disability were
employed. That compares with 65.7 percent of people without a
disability. More workers with a disability worked in education and
health services (21.6 percent) than in any other industry. Education
and health services employed 33.8 percent of women with a disability,
compared with 11.5 percent of men. Read report/details here:
https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2018/employment-of-workers-with-a-disability-in-2017.htm

DeafDigest offers international deafness tidings including these:
Bulgaria has come up with the 112 technology for the deaf (the same as
USA's 911 to text technology).

Moray Council, in Scotland, has become the first such council to use
sign language interpreters during council meetings.

The deaf community of Barbados has been given training on how to deal
with weather disasters.

The Canadian Hearing Society, which has 24 branches across the Ontario
province, reached working agreement with the Canadian Union of Public
Employees. It was not too many years ago when the deaf employees went
on a strike over refusal of the Canadian Hearing Society to affiliate
with the public union.

See also this list of upcoming Deaf National Events:
http://deafdigest.net/upcoming-national-deaf-events/

This podcast, "Autonomous Vehicles Provide Mobility for All," is now
available. Henry Claypool, policy consultant for the American
Association of People with Disabilities, discusses the potential
impacts that autonomous vehicles may have in the workplace and other
areas of life. * Listen to the podcast and read the transcript here:
http://www.peatworks.org/futureofwork/podcast/2018/06/AAPD

* Access all of the other 10 "Future of Work" podcasts here:
https://www.peatworks.org/futureofwork

Finding work can have positive effects on mental health as it allows
you to use your skills and increase self-esteem. But it's still
important to know how to manage mental and emotional wellbeing as you
look for a job and transition to the workplace.  This blog by Mental
Health America offers some advice on managing your mental health as
you look for work.
https://choosework.ssa.gov/blog/2018-06-28-job-searching-with-a-mental-health-condition

This new wellness campaign called 'Man Therapy' encourages men to take
control of their mental health through an interactive website. The
campaign features marketing materials and messages targeting Ohio's
veteran population. The campaign aims to reduce stigma surrounding
mental health by providing veterans with strategies, resources, and
witty humor to encourage positive coping skills.
http://mantherapy.org/

Veterans' loved ones can also benefit from the talking points,
strategies, and PSAs to educate website visitors on mental health.
Ohio Suicide Prevention shares Man Therapy campaign materials for free
download and dissemination here: http://ohiospf.org/resources.php

This nonprofit offers inventive technology for those in need and
lacking commercial alternatives, plus information and referrals for
finding the disability-related items you may need to work, play or
participate in the community. https://maywehelp.org/request-a-device/

Do you or someone you know need financial assistance for vision care?
For a free Ohio listing of no-cost or low-cost eyecare services from
Prevent Blindness Ohio, in English or Spanish, see
https://ohio.preventblindness.org/ohio-vision-programs

The State Exchange on Employment and Disability team hosted a panel
with State Representatives Patti Bellock (IL) and Geran Tarr (AK) at
the 2018 Women in Government National Legislative Conference. The
panel highlighted policy and program initiatives improving access and
removing barriers to treatment, as well as enhancing employment
outcomes for individuals with mental health conditions and substance
use disorders. WIG also released its latest toolkit, "State Strategies
to Assist Employees with Mental Health and Substance Use Issues Stay
at Work/Return to Work," with policy examples, legislative strategies,
and employer perspectives on ways to strengthen employment options for
those with mental health and/or substance use disorders.

Download the WIG toolkit here:
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flinks.govdelivery.com%3A80%2Ftrack%3Ftype%3Dclick%26enid%3DZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTgwNzA2LjkyMTc4MjMxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE4MDcwNi45MjE3ODIzMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3NTI4OTA2JmVtYWlsaWQ9ZWxpemFiZXRoLnNhbW1vbnNAb29kLm9oaW8uZ292JnVzZXJpZD1lbGl6YWJldGguc2FtbW9uc0Bvb2Qub2hpby5nb3YmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg%3D%3D%26%26%26104%26%26%26http%3A%2F%2Fwww.womeningovernment.org%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fdocuments%2FSEED%2520-%2520Stay%2520At%2520Work-Return%2520To%2520Work%2520for%2520Employees%2520with%2520Mental%2520Health%2520and%2520Substance%2520Use%2520Issues%2520-Companion%2520Toolkit.pdf&data=02%7C01%7Celizabeth.sammons%40ood.ohio.gov%7Ce73e7bdfcc4d4d79065908d5e34551a2%7C50f8fcc494d84f0784eb36ed57c7c8a2%7C0%7C0%7C636664809222057349&sdata=3243MOfrRDs63bW4obsYXm9uTa87hja%2BfRXnvc4W2K4%3D&reserved=0

Reminders

The latest study conducted by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
indicated that 59 percent of workplace accommodations cost nothing,
while the typical small expenditure pays for itself in reduced
workers' compensation and training costs and increased productivity
and morale. Employers represented a range of industry sectors and
sizes. Read "Workplace Accommodations: Low Cost, High Impact" here:
https://askjan.org/media/lowcosthighimpact.html

Disability.Gov has developed a webpage of "quick links" to easily
access information and resources visitors are most often seeking
including civil rights, emergency preparedness, health, housing and
more.   For details, visit:
https://www.disability.gov/disability-govs-quick-links/

This blog from Social Security answers some of the most common
questions regarding establishing and keeping an ABLE account,
including differences for those on SSI versus SSDI.
https://choosework.ssa.gov/blog/2017-11-20-yawa-able-accounts-what-you-should-know

Medicare or Medicaid... which one is it, anyhow? This blog from Social
Security discusses similarities and differences, plus shares useful
resources.  https://blog.ssa.gov/is-it-medicare-or-medicaid/

MoPix - Motion Picture Access lists archived films and Lists theaters
equipped with the technology and current films that offer audio
description. http://ncam.wgbh.org/mopix/

Elizabeth L. Sammons
Program Administrator
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities
Tel. 614.438.1260
www.oodworks.com<http://www.oodworks.com>

-- 
Wishing You All the Best,

Cheryl E. Fields

A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human
life when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will
never sit.
--D. Elton Trueblood