[rehab] Employment seminar information

[Dick Davis]

   Hi,
I originally posted this information on the jobs and rehab listservs, and am
sending it to some of you who may not be on those lists.  Since we've had
some questions about the contents of the seminar recording, I thought it
would be best to post the agenda too.
Dick Davis, Chair
Employment Committee

*2011 Employment Seminar Recordings Now Available*

* *

            On July 3, 2011 the National Federation of the Blind’s
Employment Committee hosted its annual seminar during the 2011 national
convention in Orlando Florida. We had some great presenters, and for the
first time, the seminar was recorded.  A number of people have contacted us
asking for copies of the recording, so here is how to get one.

            Copies of the seminar are available for $10 each on audio or MP3
CDs sent to you by surface mail, or in zipped files sent over the Internet.
If you want your copy of this dynamic seminar quickly, Internet delivery
will make this possible.

            If ordering the seminar on CD please specify if you want it to
be in standard audio CD or MP3 files. Audio CDS will play on any standard CD
player and MP3 files can be played using a wide variety of playback devices
and software. If you request Internet delivery, be sure you have software
that will allow you to unpack the files, which will be sent as a single
zipped archive.

            Both CD and Internet copies are available for $10.00 each.
Please specify the number of copies you desire. Should you choose to submit
payment via snail mail, make checks payable to Peter Donahue and send to
Peter Donahue, 8800 Starcrest Drive, Apt. 226, San Antonio, TX 78217.
Alternatively,
payments may be sent via PayPal using the following e-mail address:
pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com.



*Agenda for NFB National Employment Seminar*

*Sunday, July 3rd, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.*

*Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel*

*Wekiwa 9 Room, Level 2*

* ** *

*9:00 a.m.*  *Introduction: How to Act Smart and Be Smart in Today’s Job
Market*. – Dick Davis*, Chair, NFB Employment Committee



*9:10 a.m.*  *Beyond Technological Uncouth – Don’t Forget the Human Element.
* - David Ticchi*, Special Assistant to the President, Legal Seafood and
public school teacher, Boston, MA.  Technology continues to define our
relationships with others, but not necessarily for the better.  There are
fundamental rules for networking, employer research, and interviewing -
here’s what you need to remember.



*9:45 a.m.*  *Want to Start a Small Business, But Don’t Know How? Hadley Can
Help.* – Dawn Turco, Senior Vice President, Hadley School for the Blind,
Winnetka, IL. Hadley School for the Blind has some brand new resources for
blind entrepreneurs that can get you started in the right direction. The
goal of this new business, entrepreneurship and technology initiative is to
provide individuals who are blind or visually impaired with the knowledge,
resources and networking opportunities enabling them to advance in their
careers or to successfully launch and grow their own businesses.

* *

*10:10 a.m.*  *Job Search Techniques—Things That Work and Things That Waste
Time*. - Mike Bullis*, Executive Director, The IMAGE Center for People with
Disabilities, Towson, MD.  Electronic job search, networking, employer
research and informational interviews.  Using technology effectively to
connect with real people and find jobs.  How to focus your energies to get a
job in the shortest time possible. **

* *

*10:45 a.m.*  *Off Your Duff - Good Paying, Physical, Fun Jobs Blind People
Can Do*. – George Wurtzel, Industrial Arts Instructor, BLIND, Inc.,
Minneapolis, MN  Because of blindness stereotypes, blind people are often
steered away from skilled blue collar employment and into sedentary jobs.  But
not everyone is made for customer service.  Learn about some fun and good
paying jobs that blind people really can do.



*11:20 a.m.*  *Job Exchange and Announcements*.  The Employment Committee
began as the Job Exchange Committee, a function we still perform.  If you
know of job vacancies, bring them to the seminar and tell people about them.
If you are looking for a job, tell people what you are looking for, and
bring along some resumes.  If you know of training or other opportunities,
share them with others.

* *

*11:30 a.m.*  Lunch break and networking

* *

*1:00 p.m.*  *Getting Your Ducks in a Row: What Do You Need to Be Job Ready*?
- Robert Leslie Newman*, Rehabilitation Counselor (retired), Nebraska
Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Omaha, NE.  Discussion of
employment preparation, with a checklist of things you need to do to get
ready, including training in alternative techniques, assistive technology
and training in its use, resumes and cover letters, a portfolio with letters
of recommendation and work samples, and interview preparation and practice.

* *

*1:40 p.m.  **Framing Blindness: How You Can Sell Yourself As Equal To Or
Better Than a Sighted Employee*. – Dick Davis*, Assistant Director for
Employment, BLIND, Inc., Minneapolis, MN Why, with so many sighted job
applicants, would anyone hire a blind person?  The answer isn’t the ADA,
Affirmative Action, financial incentives, or charity.  Find out what it
really is, and how to use it effectively in job interviews.

* *

*2:15 p.m. * *Job Exchange and Announcements*. The Employment Committee
began as the Job Exchange Committee, a function we still perform.  If you
know of job vacancies, bring them to the seminar and tell people about them.
If you are looking for a job, tell people what you are looking for, and
bring along some resumes.  If you know of training or other opportunities,
share them with others.



*2:25 p.m.*  *What Do You Want to Know?  Individual Questions and Discussion
*. – Bethel Murphy, Employment Specialist, Louisiana Center for the Blind,
Ruston, LA.  This is your agenda item, so bring your questions and ideas
about employers, resumes and cover letters, when and how to talk about
blindness, interviewing, how to get assistive technology, reasonable
accommodations, federal employment, and other topics of interest to you.  We
may want to break into smaller groups, depending on the response. –
Presenters and participants.



NFB Employment Committee members are designated with an asterisk * after
their names.

**