[rehab] Final agenda for NFB National Employment Seminar

[Dick Davis]

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.