PA Transition Tidbits

Access to Good Jobs for All!

Celebrated each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) commemorates the many contributions of people with disabilities to America’s workplaces and economy. The theme for NDEAM 2024 is “Access to Good Jobs for All.” These resources can help your organization take part. The US Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy, also offers specific ideas for how different types of organizations—including employers and employees, educators and youth service professionals, policymakers, associations and unions, disability-related organizations and federal agencies—can take part on the main NDEAM webpage.

Hold a discussion

NDEAM presents an opportune time to discuss the topic of disability employment with students, particularly those at an age when they are considering career options and learning about the world of work. One easy way to do so is to use the "I Can" video and accompanying youth discussion guide.

Create a display

NDEAM is a great time to freshen up bulletin boards. Start by putting up this year's NDEAM poster (English | Spanish). A customizable poster (English | Spanish) is also available to highlight an organization’s members. Additional display materials include posters from the Campaign for Disability Employment. Educational supply stores may also offer other materials with positive images featuring people with disabilities in various community and employment settings.

Organize an assembly

Another option is to hold an assembly addressing the topic of disability employment, with content tailored as appropriate for age. Such an assembly might feature guest speakers from local disability service organizations and/or people with disabilities in various professions willing to talk about their jobs, interests and experiences. Related to this, it is important to ensure that any career exploration event, such as a traditional career day (whether held during NDEAM or any other time of year), includes people with disabilities.

Implement "soft skills" training

Interpersonal skills, such as teamwork, decision-making and communications, are critical for success in all occupations and industries. Yet, many youth do not have exposure to training focused on such "soft" skills prior to entering the workforce. During NDEAM or anytime, you can address this gap with Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success, a series of interactive, hands-on activities to help youth prepare for employment, regardless of their interests or intended career paths. Although developed by ODEP, this curriculum's content is applicable to youth both with and without disabilities and is available in both English and Spanish.

Educate about disability history

Despite the number of people with disabilities in the U.S. and the fact that they represent all races, classes and cultures, many people are unaware of the rich history of the disability movement. To fill this gap, some states require schools to teach about disability history each year. For an overview of major milestones in disability history and resources for educators to enhance awareness of it, see Disability History: An Important Part of America's Heritage.

Engage student leaders

Faculty advisors to groups such as student councils and student-led publications or other media can suggest NDEAM as a possible hook for content during October. For example, a student council might invite a local community leader with a disability to a meeting to speak about their experiences. Likewise, student reporters might interview such an individual or write an article/produce a segment on the contributions of many famous people with disabilities throughout America's history.

Share the "Guideposts for Success"

The Guideposts for Success represent what research and practice has identified as key educational and career development interventions that make a positive difference in the lives of all youth, including youth with disabilities. NDEAM is a perfect time to introduce (or reinforce) these important findings to educators and youth service professionals. Channels for doing so might include workshops, trainings or staff publications.

Train front-line staff

It is imperative that youth service professionals have the knowledge, skills and abilities to effectively serve youth with disabilities, especially those in transition. Key tools to assist in improving this capacity—during NDEAM and all year round—are available through ODEP's CAPE-Youth Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth.

Of course, as employers themselves, schools, school districts and youth service provider organizations are also encouraged to recognize NDEAM among their staff. For ideas on how to do so, see ideas for employers and employees.

What a great month we have to look forward to! The youth engagement footprint since last year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) has been incredible, and it just keeps growing!

Resources
Our PaTTAN teams have developed numerous resources to support youth transitioning from high school to competitive integrated employment, which can be found on the PaTTAN website at PaTTAN - Home.

Focusing on the resources from the Secondary Transition team and their efforts to help students secure employment after high school, here are a few great references:

• The Connecting for Employment Training Series: A five-part series designed to help educators and community agency personnel understand each other’s roles in secondary transition planning and how collaboration can lead to lifelong success for students with disabilities. Learn more here.
• 15 Ways for Job Coaches to Presume Competence in Students: Access the guide here.

In the Community

We’re taking a moment to highlight Project SEARCH in PA for their remarkable and ongoing impact. Project SEARCH is a nationwide initiative that provides students with hands-on job skills in real workplace environments. With the guidance of dedicated worksite trainers and mentors, students receive personalized support, interact with peers, engage with the broader community, and gain invaluable, transferable skills. Upon completing the program, participants are well-prepared to transition into competitive employment, equipped with the confidence and experience needed for success. We’re always amazed by Project SEARCH and their incredible work! Learn more about Project SEARCH opportunities here.

Events
SAVE THE DATE!

• October 1st, 2024 (virtual event): The PA Treasury Department’s PA ABLE Savings Program is hosting a virtual event to kick off National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Spend the day learning about disability employment. Register here.
• October 10th, 2024 (in-person, free event): Join us at the Employment Symposium and Job Fair! This conference is for employers, business owners, individuals with disabilities, their families, and anyone interested in competitive integrated employment. Meet community organizations sharing resources and services, attend an afternoon job fair to meet employers, and interview for new job opportunities. You’ll also hear from presenters across various employment-related industries in PA. Find more information here or email Breanna Marshall, Assistant Director of Community Based Services Arc Human Services, at marshall.breanna@archumanservices.org with questions.

Looking for a place where you can Connect, Collect, & Contribute

to all things secondary transition?

Connect with people from across our state to collect

resources, share events and contribute stories about positive post-school outcomes!

Click here to create an account and login to join our PA Secondary Transition- Public Square.

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits and want to work. The Ticket Program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.

To learn more about the Ticket Program, visit choosework.ssa.gov or call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Ask for a list of service providers or find providers on your own using the Ticket Program Find Help tool.

You can also learn more by registering for a free, online Work Incentives Seminar Event webinar. Or, text TICKET to 1-571-489-5292 to receive Ticket Program texts. Standard messaging rates may apply, and you can opt out at any time.

Looking to recruit, hire, retain, and advance qualified people with disabilities?

The Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) offers information and resources to help employers recruit, hire, retain and advance people with disabilities; build inclusive workplace cultures; and meet diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) goals.

Check out the latest Successful Transitions for All: Expect, Engage, and Empower blog post from OSERS on Post Secondary Education Options.

This is the seventh blog in a series of blog posts on secondary transition from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS).

Are you looking to learn more information about transition?

The National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C) provides information, tools, and supports to assist multiple stakeholders to provide effective services and instruction for students and out-of-school youth with disabilities.

Check out their Training Resource Library.

If you're new to transition, be sure to check out Transition 101!

October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to celebrate and promote inclusive work environments. Join the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) for an insightful discussion on the history of NDEAM, the Employment First movement, and Pennsylvania’s commitment to advancing inclusive employment opportunities. Discover how Employment First has shaped ODP’s evolving supports and services, empowering individuals with disabilities to secure and sustain competitive, integrated employment, and supporting access to good jobs for everyone.

Register here!

REGISER HERE

PA ABLE’s NDEAM Virtual Learning Day Schedule

Please note that you will use the same link to register and access all sessions throughout the day. ASL interpreters will be available. Schedule subject to change.

• 8:00 A.M. – Opening Remarks
• 8:15 A.M. – PA ABLE for Individuals
• 9:00 A.M. – Learning Together: A Discussion of Employment Services Offered by Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Office of Long-Term Living and Office of Developmental Programs
• 9:30 A.M. – Pros and Cons of Disclosing Your Disability in the Workplace
• 10:00 A.M. – Assistive Technology in the Workplace, How it enhances productivity and inclusivity
• 11:00 A.M. – The Importance of Financial Empowerment for Individuals with Disabilities

12:00 P.M. – 12:30 P.M. – Virtual Lunch Break

• 12:30 P.M. – SSA Benefits and Work! How Work Incentives Help Make the Dream Happen
• 1:00 P.M. – The PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) Invest Program Guides People from Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment
• 1:30 P.M. – Overview of PA’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) Employer Programs
• 2:30 P.M. – Employer Roundtable: How Do You Begin Hiring People With Disabilities?
• 3:15 P.M. – PA ABLE for Employers
• 3:45 P.M. – Closing Remarks

If you require accommodations to participate in this webinar, please contact us at info@paable.gov.

Join us for the PaTTAN Technology Adventure for Students with Vision & Hearing Needs -- connecting students, families, education professionals and assistive technology (AT) representatives at your local PaTTAN office. No need to travel! Are you wondering how to find and pay for assistive technology before and after graduation? Come explore new technology and chat with vendors, learn about new trends, and ask any questions you may have. Try out the latest assistive technology and find what works best for each student. Join our "Q&A" sessions to get the answers to your questions about assistive technology and secondary transition; participate in round table discussions with local transition professionals so you can learn about the supports available for students after graduation, including assistive technology. Don't miss this chance to embark on this adventure, grow your skills, learn, and explore together right in your own community. See you there!

Objectives

At the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Identify features of software and applications that provide students with sensory impairments (visual impairments, deaf/hard of hearing, deaf-blind) access to all environments and meet individual goals.
• Describe 3 feature matching needs (input or output) in specific AT that you learned about during the training.
• Identify 3 interagency supports available to students/families following graduation to support their continued use of AT as they transition out of public education.

Target Audience

Families/guardians and students with visual impairments, deaf/hard of hearing, and deaf-blindness, teachers of students with visual impairments, teachers of students who are deaf/hard of hearing, certified orientation & mobility specialists, educational audiologists, speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, special educators, general education teachers, early intervention service providers, developmental specialists, deaf-blind interveners, materials specialists, educational interpreters, assistive technology consultants, paraprofessionals, school psychologists, service coordinators, vocational rehabilitation professionals, administrators.

Remaining Dates/Locations

10/22/2024 Location: PaTTAN - EAST Registration

10/23/2024 Location: PaTTAN - CENTRAL Registration

Upcoming Training:

A ROADMAP TO EFFECTIVE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES (Sep-Jan): This webinar series is intended to support educational leaders in developing and/or improving assistive technology services by offering a practical roadmap to effective assistive technology services.

• Oct 7 & 21 @ 12:00-1:00 PM

• Nov 4 & 18 @ 12:00-1:00 PM

• Dec 2 & 16 @ 12:00-1:00 PM

• Jan 13, 2025 @ 12:00-1:00 PM

• Jan 27 @ 12:00-1:00 PM

POWER: AAC BLENDED-LEARNING SERIES (Sep-Apr): asynchronous work is completed in Schoology before each of the live webinars scheduled on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, 3:00-4:00 pm

• Modules 1-6 live training dates: Sep 11, Oct 9, Nov 13, Dec 11
• Modules 7-12 live training dates: Jan 8, Feb 12, Mar 12, Apr 9

Note: Modules 1-12 are also available as an on-demand resource on the PaTTAN Site!

Are you looking for transition events across PA?

Don't forget to check the events calendar to stay up to date on all of the great events happening in PA and nationally related to secondary transition!

The Pennsylvania Community on Transition is a group of various stakeholders from across Pennsylvania who work collaboratively to ensure appropriate transition outcomes for Pennsylvania youth and young adults.

The Pennsylvania Community on Transition is a state leadership team consisting of representative from: the State Departments of Education, Health, Labor and Industry, and Human Services; Various Serving Agencies, Young Adults, Parent Organizations, Advocates, Higher Education, and Employers.

The shared vision and common goals of the Pennsylvania Community on Transition is achieved when all PA youth and young adults with disabilities:

• Successfully transition to the role of productive and participating adult citizens
• Are empowered to recognize their talents, strengths, and voice
• Have equal access to resources that will promote their full participation in the communities of their choice.

Email: pasecondarytransition@gmail.com
Website: https://www.pasecondarytransition.com/
Phone: 4128266878
Twitter: @hmangiskuntz