Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Disability Law Commons™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

University of Massachusetts Boston

Discipline
Keyword
Publication Year
Publication
File Type

Articles 151 - 180 of 215

Full-Text Articles in Disability Law

Research To Practice: Employment Services And Outcomes Of People Receiving Welfare Benefits And Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Susan Foley, Jonathan Woodring Aug 2005

Research To Practice: Employment Services And Outcomes Of People Receiving Welfare Benefits And Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Susan Foley, Jonathan Woodring

Research to Practice Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

Poverty programs have undergone substantial reform in the past decade, and there has been a heightened interest in exploring the experiences of people with disabilities who receive welfare benefits. This report profiles people with disabilities who had TANF, GA, or both at application to VR services and completed these services in the year 2003.


Research To Practice: Innovations In Employment Supports: Colorado's State Division Of Developmental Services, Jean E. Winsor, John Butterworth, Allison Cohen Hall Jul 2005

Research To Practice: Innovations In Employment Supports: Colorado's State Division Of Developmental Services, Jean E. Winsor, John Butterworth, Allison Cohen Hall

Research to Practice Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

Between the years of 1985 and 1996 Colorado experienced significant growth in integrated employment for people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. Several factors were consistently highlighted as contributing to Colorado's employment outcomes during this period.


Research To Practice: Diabetes And Vocational Rehabilitation Employment Services And Outcomes, Jonathan Woodring, Susan Foley Jun 2005

Research To Practice: Diabetes And Vocational Rehabilitation Employment Services And Outcomes, Jonathan Woodring, Susan Foley

Research to Practice Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

Approximately 18 million people in the U.S. have diabetes. This brief uses Rehabilitation Services Administration data to provide a picture of people with diabetes using the Vocational Rehabilitation system.


Research To Practice: Job Networking In Diverse Communities, Rooshey Hasnain, Jennifer Bose, Joy Gould, John Butterworth Apr 2005

Research To Practice: Job Networking In Diverse Communities, Rooshey Hasnain, Jennifer Bose, Joy Gould, John Butterworth

Research to Practice Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

While individuals with disabilities face many obstacles when seeking employment, there are usually additional challenges for those from diverse cultures. To address this issue, ICI formed partnerships with community immigrant organizations to teach networking techniques to job seekers.


Data Note: Ssa Work Incentives Enrollment, 1990-2004, Katherine Fichthorn, Dana Scott Gilmore Mar 2005

Data Note: Ssa Work Incentives Enrollment, 1990-2004, Katherine Fichthorn, Dana Scott Gilmore

Data Note Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

To encourage employment for individuals with disabilities, the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers special provisions that limit the impact of work on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. These provisions are called work incentives and include the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE), and Blind Work Expenses (BWE).


Case Studies Of Local Boards And One-Stop Centers: Underutilization Of One-Stops By People With Significant Disabilities, Doris Hamner, Jaimie Ciulla Timmons Feb 2005

Case Studies Of Local Boards And One-Stop Centers: Underutilization Of One-Stops By People With Significant Disabilities, Doris Hamner, Jaimie Ciulla Timmons

Case Studies Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) identifies individuals with disabilities as among the constituencies to be served by One-Stop Career Centers. Due to a variety of factors, including lack of an overall One-Stop data collection system, no clear way to identify disability in the system, and non-disclosure of disability by many customers, it is difficult to ascertain the exact level of One-Stop usage by people with disabilities. However, existing data sources and anecdotal evidence indicate that people with disabilities underutilize One-Stops. The number of people with disabilities that use One-Stops seems to be lower than what would be expected based on …


Case Studies Of Local Boards And One-Stop Centers: Levels Of Involvement Of State Vr Agencies With Other One-Stop Partners, Sheila Fesko, Doris Hamner Feb 2005

Case Studies Of Local Boards And One-Stop Centers: Levels Of Involvement Of State Vr Agencies With Other One-Stop Partners, Sheila Fesko, Doris Hamner

Case Studies Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) emphasizes coordination and collaboration for better service delivery between state departments of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and other One-Stop partners. Although WIA's requirements for VR participation are clear, the parameters of this partnership are flexible and depend on a variety of factors within each state and local system. Defining the role of VR has had its challenges, as is the case for many partners in the WIA system. However, there are numerous examples of VR agencies working creatively to establish effective partnerships that positively influence services for job seekers with disabilities in the One-Stop system. The …


Case Studies Of Local Boards And One-Stop Centers: Strategies For Maximizing Staff Competence When Supporting Job Seekers With Disabilities In One-Stop Career Centers, Allison Cohen Hall, Sheila Fesko Feb 2005

Case Studies Of Local Boards And One-Stop Centers: Strategies For Maximizing Staff Competence When Supporting Job Seekers With Disabilities In One-Stop Career Centers, Allison Cohen Hall, Sheila Fesko

Case Studies Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

Since states began implementing the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998, One-Stop Career Centers have had to address the challenges of serving all customers seeking services, including job seekers with disabilities. To meet this challenge, many local One-Stops have demonstrated commitment to and progress towards creating innovative practices that positively affect access for job seekers with disabilities in the workforce system. The following brief is offered as a tool for local workforce systems to help achieve meaningful employment outcomes for job seekers with disabilities. This brief is part of a series of products offering practical solutions for Local Workforce Investment …


Case Studies Of Local Boards And One-Stop Centers: Tackling Fiscal Issues, Heike Boeltzig, Allison Cohen Hall Feb 2005

Case Studies Of Local Boards And One-Stop Centers: Tackling Fiscal Issues, Heike Boeltzig, Allison Cohen Hall

Case Studies Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) established a network of One-Stop Career Centers by integrating different employment and training services into one comprehensive workforce investment system. Within this environment, One-Stop partners are mandated to collaborate to create a seamless service delivery system that enhances access to services and improves employment outcomes for all individuals, including those with disabilities. WIA's intent was to establish local workforce development systems that would respond to their areas' specific needs with unique solutions and creative partnerships. In addition to service delivery, WIA encourages One-Stop partners to share in the operating costs of the One-Stop …


Case Studies Of Local Boards And One-Stop Centers: Creative Involvement Of Community-Based Disability Organizations At One-Stop Career Centers, Jaimie Ciulla Timmons, Heike Boeltzig Feb 2005

Case Studies Of Local Boards And One-Stop Centers: Creative Involvement Of Community-Based Disability Organizations At One-Stop Career Centers, Jaimie Ciulla Timmons, Heike Boeltzig

Case Studies Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) facilitates partnerships among organizations for more coordinated service delivery to all job seekers. Although the state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency is the only disability agency or program that is a mandated partner under WIA, community-based disability organizations (CBOs) can also work with One-Stop Career Centers to enhance their capacity to support customers with disabilities. Through case study research, the Institute for Community Inclusion identified several models of involvement between CBOs and One-Stops. These models illustrate that organizations can be creative in developing their partner roles to meet the needs of both their staff and their …


Data Note: What Do Vocational Rehabilitation (Vr) Services Cost?, Institute For Community Inclusion, University Of Massachusetts Boston Feb 2005

Data Note: What Do Vocational Rehabilitation (Vr) Services Cost?, Institute For Community Inclusion, University Of Massachusetts Boston

Data Note Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

The VR system has the flexibility to purchase a wide array of services to support an employment outcome, including vocational evaluation, vocational training and postsecondary education, transportation, supported employment, interpreters, and adaptive equipment. VR services include core counseling and guidance provided by a VR counselor as well as services that are purchased based on an individual employment plan.


Tools For Inclusion: Getting The Most From The Public Vocational Rehabilitation System, Colleen Condon, Cecilia Gandolfo, Lora Brugnaro, Cindy Thomas, Pauline Donnelly Dec 2004

Tools For Inclusion: Getting The Most From The Public Vocational Rehabilitation System, Colleen Condon, Cecilia Gandolfo, Lora Brugnaro, Cindy Thomas, Pauline Donnelly

Tools for Inclusion Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

Every state has a vocational rehabilitation agency that is designed to help individuals with disabilities meet their employment goals. Vocational rehabilitation agencies assist individuals with disabilities to prepare for, get, keep, or regain employment. This publication answers questions frequently asked by individuals with disabilities. For consumers.


Institute Brief: Making Experiential Education Accessible For Students With Disabilities, Cynthia Zafft, Sara Sezun, Melanie Jordan Nov 2004

Institute Brief: Making Experiential Education Accessible For Students With Disabilities, Cynthia Zafft, Sara Sezun, Melanie Jordan

The Institute Brief Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

College students with disabilities enter with less work experience and have a harder time finding jobs than their nondisabled peers. Experiential education-- mentoring, internships, job shadowing, and so on-- can create a bridge to graduation and employment. However, that requires college professionals to consider access issues for all students. A new Institute Brief provides basic disability awareness information, suggests ways to create welcoming career offices, and offers ideas to increase access to experiential education.


Economic Engagement: An Avenue To Employment For Individuals With Disabilities, William Kiernan, John Halliday, Heike Boeltzig Oct 2004

Economic Engagement: An Avenue To Employment For Individuals With Disabilities, William Kiernan, John Halliday, Heike Boeltzig

All Institute for Community Inclusion Publications

The role that employment has played for persons with disabilities over the past several decades has moved from one of no engagement in the workforce to a realization that persons with disabilities can work and are interested in working. The shrinking workforce has increased employers' interest in looking at the full range of potential workers, including those previously considered unemployable. The growing economy—coupled with the declining birth rate, the increase in technology and supports for a diverse workforce, and the increasing expectation that all persons should be provided with the opportunity to work—has led to a new view of individuals …


Institute Brief: Taking The Mystery Out Of Customer Service, Heike Boeltzig, Lora Brugnaro, Cecilia Gandolfo, Amy Gelb, Karen Zimbrich, Lara Enein-Donovan, Cindy Tsui, Joy Gould Oct 2004

Institute Brief: Taking The Mystery Out Of Customer Service, Heike Boeltzig, Lora Brugnaro, Cecilia Gandolfo, Amy Gelb, Karen Zimbrich, Lara Enein-Donovan, Cindy Tsui, Joy Gould

The Institute Brief Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

With the current emphasis on universal access to employment services for all members of the community, the workforce development field needs to evaluate service delivery. A "mystery shopper" program is one of many evaluation tools available to ensure continuous quality improvement and customer satisfaction. This technique allows organizations to collect data on the experiences of One-Stop Career Center customers from the customer perspective. The brief includes a sample shopper questionnaire.


Research To Practice: The National Survey Of Community Rehabilitation Providers, Fy2002-2003, Report 2: Non-Work Services, Jennifer Sullivan Sulewski, Heike Boeltzig, Deborah Metzel, John Butterworth, Dana Scott Gilmore Sep 2004

Research To Practice: The National Survey Of Community Rehabilitation Providers, Fy2002-2003, Report 2: Non-Work Services, Jennifer Sullivan Sulewski, Heike Boeltzig, Deborah Metzel, John Butterworth, Dana Scott Gilmore

Research to Practice Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

The second in a series exploring the services people with developmental disabilities receive from community rehabilitation providers (CRPs). Despite recent ideological emphasis on work, the majority of CRPs continued to offer non-work programs and a substantial proportion of the people they served were involved in those programs. Overall, the findings raise questions about CRP commitment to community integration.


Research To Practice: The National Survey Of Community Rehabilitation Providers, Fy2002-2003, Report 1: Overview Of Services And Provider Characteristics, Deborah Metzel, Heike Boeltzig, John Butterworth, Dana Scott Gilmore Aug 2004

Research To Practice: The National Survey Of Community Rehabilitation Providers, Fy2002-2003, Report 1: Overview Of Services And Provider Characteristics, Deborah Metzel, Heike Boeltzig, John Butterworth, Dana Scott Gilmore

Research to Practice Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

Two briefs examine the services people with developmental disabilities receive from community rehabilitation providers (CRPs). Despite recent emphasis on work in the disability field, people with DD were predominantly in sheltered employment or non-work services. Of people with DD in integrated employment, the majority had individual competitive jobs. However, three group employment models had above-average percentages of individuals with DD.


Research To Practice: State Agency Systems Collaboration At The Local Level: Gluing The Puzzle Together, The Staff Perspective, Gabriella Santoro Rado, Doris Hamner, Susan Foley Jul 2004

Research To Practice: State Agency Systems Collaboration At The Local Level: Gluing The Puzzle Together, The Staff Perspective, Gabriella Santoro Rado, Doris Hamner, Susan Foley

Research to Practice Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

Some states acknowledge the benefits of interagency collaboration but have trouble putting it into action. ICI researchers worked with local offices to help them improve the One-Stop Career Center network for people with disabilities. This brief gives an "in the trenches" view of tools that worked.


Massworks: Massachusetts Launches The Disability Program Navigator Initiative, Institute For Community Inclusion, University Of Massachusetts Boston Mar 2004

Massworks: Massachusetts Launches The Disability Program Navigator Initiative, Institute For Community Inclusion, University Of Massachusetts Boston

MassWorks Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

Welcome to MassWorks, our initiative for disability, workforce development, and employment professionals in Massachusetts. All too often, it seems, we work towards the same goals from different sides. With the many day-to day demands of our jobs, it's easy to miss opportunities to share ideas and resources across agencies. The aim of MassWorks is to bring information to workforce and disability professionals who have the goal of improving employment outcomes for Mass. residents with disabilities.


Research To Practice: Innovations In Employment Supports: Washington State's Division Of Developmental Disabilities, John Butterworth, Allison Cohen Hall Aug 2003

Research To Practice: Innovations In Employment Supports: Washington State's Division Of Developmental Disabilities, John Butterworth, Allison Cohen Hall

Research to Practice Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

As evidence of the positive outcomes associated with integrated employment develops it is important to identify policy and practices at the state level that expand access to employment opportunity. This brief presents findings from Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) case study research focused on state agencies that support individuals with developmental disabilities.


Research To Practice: Local Vocational Rehabilitation Interagency Agreements For Employment: Partners, Collaborative Activities, And Impact, Cynthia A. Smith, Deborah S. Metzel, Bob Schalock May 2003

Research To Practice: Local Vocational Rehabilitation Interagency Agreements For Employment: Partners, Collaborative Activities, And Impact, Cynthia A. Smith, Deborah S. Metzel, Bob Schalock

Research to Practice Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

Federal legislation and state policies increasingly mandate or encourage interagency agreements and collaboration. This study examined the content and impact of interagency agreements between the local office of VR and the following local state agencies for FY1999: Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health, local schools, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families.


Case Studies On The Implementation Of The Workforce Investment Act: Focus On Merging Cultures, Allison Cohen Hall, Jaimie Ciulla Timmons, Sheila Fesko Mar 2003

Case Studies On The Implementation Of The Workforce Investment Act: Focus On Merging Cultures, Allison Cohen Hall, Jaimie Ciulla Timmons, Sheila Fesko

Case Studies Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

The implementation of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) requires major organizational change for employment, training, and disability agencies. The initiative emphasizes coordination, collaboration and communication among organizations for better service delivery. At this time, states are developing systems that will enable them to address the needs of all customers, including those with disabilities, who are seeking employment. Traditionally, service systems have required that consumers and their families who need a variety of services be able to negotiate the culture and language of multiple agencies. With the new WIA legislation, this task is now being required of the agencies themselves. In …


Case Studies On The Implementation Of The Workforce Investment Act: Focus On Leadership, Sheila Fesko, Jaimie Ciulla Timmons, Allison Cohen Hall Mar 2003

Case Studies On The Implementation Of The Workforce Investment Act: Focus On Leadership, Sheila Fesko, Jaimie Ciulla Timmons, Allison Cohen Hall

Case Studies Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

The workforce development system has undergone significant change in the past five years, including the development and implementation of new partnerships. Maintaining the integrity of services and conducting major organizational change has been a challenge for local, state, and federal leaders. Some states have a limited vision of how this new workforce system can operate and the ways in which their customers can benefit from the new partnerships. Other states, however, have embraced the challenge put forth in the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and have built on previous collaborations or begun new initiatives. This publication discusses some of the challenges …


Research To Practice: Medicaid Involvement In Employment-Related Programs- Findings From The National Survey Of State Systems And Employment For People With Disabilities, Jennifer Sullivan Sulewski, Dana Scott Gilmore, Susan Foley Mar 2003

Research To Practice: Medicaid Involvement In Employment-Related Programs- Findings From The National Survey Of State Systems And Employment For People With Disabilities, Jennifer Sullivan Sulewski, Dana Scott Gilmore, Susan Foley

Research to Practice Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

This brief analyzes data from ICI's National Survey of State Systems and Employment for People with Disabilities regarding the priority Medicaid agencies place on employment and their involvement in recent policy initiatives.


Policy Brief: The Applicability Of The Ada To Personal Assistance Services In The Workplace, Robert Silverstein Feb 2003

Policy Brief: The Applicability Of The Ada To Personal Assistance Services In The Workplace, Robert Silverstein

Policy Briefs Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

This policy brief addresses whether providing personal assistance services in the workplace is a reasonable accommodation as defined in the ADA, and if so, under which circumstances.


Research To Practice: High-Performing States In Integrated Employment, Allison Cohen Hall, John Butterworth, Dana Scott Gilmore, Deborah Metzel Feb 2003

Research To Practice: High-Performing States In Integrated Employment, Allison Cohen Hall, John Butterworth, Dana Scott Gilmore, Deborah Metzel

Research to Practice Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

Despite recent improvements, community employment outcomes vary widely across states. This report highlights successful practices of states that were identified as "high performers" in integrated employment for people served by state MR/DD agencies.


Case Studies On The Implementation Of The Workforce Investment Act: Focus On Co-Location, Sheila Fesko, Jaimie Ciulla Timmons, Allison Cohen Hall Jan 2003

Case Studies On The Implementation Of The Workforce Investment Act: Focus On Co-Location, Sheila Fesko, Jaimie Ciulla Timmons, Allison Cohen Hall

Case Studies Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

Seamless service delivery means that a customer receiving services can move between two or more agencies with limited disruption. Seamless services have not been accomplished when a customer must take a cross-town bus to travel from one agency to another. To address this issue, many One-Stop career centers are looking into how staff from their partner agencies can physically share space. This can range from a single staff person from an agency working in the Center on specific days of the week (itinerant staffing) to all staff from that agency working there on a full-time basis (full co-location). Staff report …


Case Studies On The Implementation Of The Workforce Investment Act: Focus On Involving Customers With Disabilities, Sheila Fesko, Jaimie Ciulla Timmons, Allison Cohen Hall Jan 2003

Case Studies On The Implementation Of The Workforce Investment Act: Focus On Involving Customers With Disabilities, Sheila Fesko, Jaimie Ciulla Timmons, Allison Cohen Hall

Case Studies Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

Although it is uniformly accepted that customers with disabilities should be involved in the process to create a new workforce system under the mandates of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), anecdotal evidence suggests this to be more rhetoric than reality. Currently One-Stop Career Centers, workforce boards, and states are struggling with how to solicit and incorporate this important input into the planning process. The following is offered as a tool to help involve customers with disabilities as One-Stop centers are developed. This brief is part of a series of products offering practical solutions for state and local entities as they …


Case Studies On The Implementation Of The Workforce Investment Act: Focus On Accessibility, Sheila Fesko, Jaimie Ciulla Timmons, Allison Cohen Hall Jan 2003

Case Studies On The Implementation Of The Workforce Investment Act: Focus On Accessibility, Sheila Fesko, Jaimie Ciulla Timmons, Allison Cohen Hall

Case Studies Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

Universal access is a central tenet of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and mandates that One-Stop Career Center (One-Stop) services be accessible for individuals with disabilities. Partnerships between Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and workforce development agencies have increased awareness about the importance of service accessibility and states have been responding to this issue in their planning and service delivery. This brief highlights the innovative strategies states have used to make their One-Stops better able to support job seekers with disabilities. This brief is part of a series of products offering practical solutions for state and local entities as they implement the …


Tools For Inclusion: Making It Easier To Go To Work: What The Changes At Social Security Mean To You, David Hoff, Elena Varney, Lisa O'Connor Jan 2003

Tools For Inclusion: Making It Easier To Go To Work: What The Changes At Social Security Mean To You, David Hoff, Elena Varney, Lisa O'Connor

Tools for Inclusion Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

Recent changes to Social Security reduce the financial consequences of working for people who receive benefits. This publication explains the changes and how they impact people with disabilities who want to work.