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Episode 61 Resources: Employment First and the ADA: Working Together

  • APSE – Association of People Supporting Employment First
    APSE is a national organization that focuses exclusively on inclusive employment and career advancement opportunities for individuals with disabilities. They believe that everyone can and should work, and have the dignity of determining their career path. APSE has chapters in 39 states and the District of Columbia, with members from all 50 states and Puerto Rico, and several foreign countries. Members include individuals with disabilities, families, disability professionals, and businesses.
    Phone: 301-279-0060
    E-mail: info@apse.org
    Web: apse.org/
  • Presenter for this ADA Live! show:
    Jenny Stonemeier
    APSE Executive Director
    Email: jstonemeier@apse.org
  • You may also contact:
    Pamela Williamson
    Georgia APSE Board Member and Assistant Director of the Southeast ADA Center
    Email: prwil01@law.syr.edu
  • Employment First
    Employment First is a movement to deliver meaningful employment, fair wages, and career advancement for people with disabilities. Check the website for tools, resources and examples that show why Employment First works for people with disabilities all over the U.S.
    Source: Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE)
    Link: apse.org/we-believe/employment-first/
  • APSE Resources to learn more about Employment First
    Source: Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE)
    Link: apse.org/news-resources/resources/
  • APSE Legislative Advocacy Center
    Here is the latest news on disability employment policy efforts, as well as tips, tools, and contact information for legislators. Learn how to work for Employment First policies in every state.
    Source: Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE)
    Link: apse.org/we-believe/legislative-advocacy-center/
  • Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP™) Certification
    CESP certification is a national credential for employment professionals who serve individuals with disabilities in finding and maintaining employment.
    Source: Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE)
    Link: apse.org/cesp-central/
  • National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)
    The official theme of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) for October 2018 is “America’s Workforce: Empowering All.” This nationwide campaign raises awareness about disability employment issues, celebrates the skills and talents of workers with disabilities, and educates about the value of a diverse workforce. A Resource Toolbox helps organizations plan NDEAM observances, includes posters in English and Spanish, sample articles, a press release, a proclamation, and social media content.
    Source: U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
    Link: www.dol.gov/odep/topics/ndeam/
    Resource Toolbox: bwww.dol.gov/odep/topics/ndeam/resources.htm
  • Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
    ODEP is the only non-regulatory federal agency that promotes policies and coordinates with employers and all levels of government to increase workplace success for people with disabilities. Its mission is to develop and influence policies and practices that increase the number and quality of employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
    Link: www.dol.gov/odep/
    Source: U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
  • Disability Mentoring Day
    This large-scale national effort promotes career development for students and job-seekers with disabilities through hands-on career exploration and ongoing mentoring relationships. It officially launches each year on the third Wednesday of October during National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and the program has expanded from a one-day event to a year-round initiative.
    Source: American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
    Link: www.aapd.com/disability-mentoring-day/
  • What Can You Do? Campaign
    “What Can You Do?” is part of the Campaign for Disability Employment (CDE), which is a collaboration among disability and business organizations working to change attitudes about disability and employment. CDE features a series of public service announcements (PSAs) and coordinating media products, all designed to encourage businesses and others to recognize the value that individuals with disabilities bring to the workplace, and the benefits of full inclusion.
    Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
    Link: www.whatcanyoudocampaign.org/
  • Persons with a Disability Labor Force Statistics – 2017 (PDF file, 11 pages)
    A report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released on June 21, 2018
    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
    Link: www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/disabl.pdf 
  • National Trends in Disability Employment – Monthly Update (nTIDE)
    You can join their listserv to subscribe to monthly reports and Lunch & Learn webinars on disability employment data from the Employment Policy and Measurement Rehabilitation Research and Training Center.
    Source: Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire
    Link: researchondisability.org/epm-rrtc/epm-news/2018/09/07/ntide-august-2018-jobs-report-return-to-positive-trend-for-employment-of-americans-with-disabilities
    Lunch & Learn Webinars: researchondisability.org/home/ntide/ntide-home
  • State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED)
    An ODEP initiative that collaborates with state policymakers to provide data, sample policy options, state examples, and technical assistance support to develop disability-inclusive programs critical to employment success—such as workforce development, economic opportunity, transportation, and technology.
    Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
    Link: www.dol.gov/odep/topics/State-Policy.htm
  • White Paper: States Expand Employment and Training Opportunities for People with Disabilities
    The white paper summarizes key points from a National Governors Association (NGA) meeting in May 2018 and outlines the employment challenges faced by many people with disabilities. The NGA is a partner in ODEP’s State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED), which works with intermediaries and legislators to advance state-level disability employment policy.
    Source: National Governors Association (NGA)
    Link: www.nga.org/center/publications/states-expand-employment-and-training-opportunities-for-people-with-disabilities/  (PDF download, 14 pages)