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Disability Employment Initiative (DEI). ACCESS SERIES Assistive Technology (AT) & the One-Stop: Part 2. Hosted/Facilitated by: Laura Gleneck, NDI Consulting, Inc. Presented by: Miranda Kennedy and Brian Ingram, NDI Consulting, Inc. 2011 Training Series.
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Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) ACCESS SERIES Assistive Technology (AT) & the One-Stop: Part 2 Hosted/Facilitated by: Laura Gleneck, NDI Consulting, Inc. Presented by: Miranda Kennedy and Brian Ingram, NDI Consulting, Inc. 2011 Training Series
Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) • Local WIBs participating in the DEI must verify that they are in compliance with physical, programmatic, and communication accessibility requirements established in the non-discrimination regulations at Section 188 of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). DOL expects that DEI projects and LWIBs will continue to review and upgrade access to their One-Stop Career Center system as part of their ongoing administration and compliance obligations. • Training and Technical Assistance to DEI Projects to increase accessibility within the One-Stops is provided under U.S. DOLETA contract with NDI Consulting, Inc. and the National Disability Institute (NDI). • Evaluation of the impact of the DEI Projects implementation and outcomes around access issues will be provided under U.S. DOL ODEP contract with Social Dynamics. 2
AT & the One-Stop Part 2Learning Objectives Upon completion of this training webinar, DEI grantees and participants from the public workforce system will have: • An understanding of the roles that state level DEI Project staff and local level Disability Resource Coordinators can play in bringing about increased knowledge and use of Assistive Technology • Strategies for working with Interagency Committees, AT Projects and other partners on Assistive Technology issues • Strategies for Marketing Assistive Technology • An understanding of how Assistive Technology can be integrated into Core, Intensive and Training Services within the One-Stop
AT & The One-Stops Part 2 Agenda • Role of the DEI Project Lead and DRC related to AT in the One-Stop • Partners and Strategies to help implement AT within the One-Stop • Strategies for Marketing AT in the One-Stop • Integrating AT into the Core, Intensive and Training Services at the One-Stop
Assistive Technology & The ROLE of The DEI Project Lead & Disability Resource Coordinator
Possible Role of the DEI Project Lead • Oversee the development and execution of an audit process to determine the DEI pilot sites current AT status within the One-Stops. • Partner with the state AT Project for assistance in determining types of AT upgrades and new equipment (software & hardware) needed within One-Stops. • Monitor efforts at the state level around DEI purchase and installation of new AT equipment at One-Stops. • Facilitate additional state level Train-the-Trainer training on AT to DRCs and local level AT – Teams. • Consider engaging other state level partners for ongoing AT assessment and support. • Engage in state level marketing efforts of One-Stop AT. • Support DRC efforts to integrate & promote AT in their local areas.
Possible Role of the DRC • Oversee local level efforts to audit current AT equipment, usage level and unmet needs within the One-Stop. • Engage local level Interagency Committee for assistance in identifying AT needs and implementing AT into practices, policies, and procedures within the One-Stop. • Develop and serve on local level AT – Team to problem-solve issues around physical AT installation, use and maintenance. • Work with One-Stop marketing efforts to include references to available AT in brochures, handouts, and on local One-Stop website, etc… • Serve as One-Stop “trainer” on AT.
Implementing Assistive Technology into the One-Stop: PARTNERS & STRATEGIES
Interagency Committee Project Possible roles for the Interagency Committee or subcommittee: • Contribute personnel/resources to perform audit of existing AT in One-Stop • Support and contribute resources towards training One-Stop staff and Partner on the AT in the One-Stop • Develop recommendations on One-Stop AT policies, practices & procedures • Assist with Marketing & Outreach Efforts to Community on availability of AT in One-Stop
Who should be on my AT-Team & what would we do? • DRC, designated IT staff member(s) at One-Stop, and as a consultant a designated contact at state AT project • The AT-Team would be the go-to people for any problems or questions related to the physical installation, usage, tracking, storage and/or loss of AT equipment at the One-Stop.
Train-the-Trainer • DEI Project Lead sets up state level “Train-the-Trainer” Event with state AT Project for DRCs and others (e.g. AT-Team). • The goal of Train-the-Trainer is to teach DRCs (and/or AT-Teams) how to train staff and partners on: • What AT is available at the One-Stop • Where the AT is located/stored • Who the AT might help • How to turn it on, or get it set up • The “basic concept” of how each piece of AT works • Emphasis is placed on the fact that: If the customer needs actual “training” on AT, the DRC will train the One-Stop staff to refer them to Vocational Rehabilitation or AT Project.
Train-the-Trainer (cont.) Example of possible AT Training sequence of events • AT Project provides overview of AT to One-Stop staff (1x) • AT-Team (DRC, IT) receive training from AT Project. • DRC sets up and begins to implement AT training schedule for One-Stop staff and partners. This includes strategies to train staff/partners basics on: • What AT equipment is available • When AT equipment might be useful (problem-solve case studies) • Where AT equipment (and simple direction guide) is located • Why AT equipment makes a difference (highlight AT success stories) • How to turn the AT equipment on (reference simple direction guide) • DRC accesses local AT-Team, state AT Project as needed.
Train-the-Trainer (cont.) Possible AT training schedule for One-Stop Staff DISCLAIMER: This is just an example. Your experience may vary! • 60 minutes of training every other month in small groups • Example: 5 group sessions a day for 2 days once every 2 months • Schedule with staff weeks/months in advance and be FLEXIBLE! • Each session covers “groupings” of similar AT. • Examples include: • Low Vision: Zoom Text, CCTV, Pocket-Magnifier, Large Print Keys • Hard of Hearing: Pocket-Talker, Hearing-Helper, Digital-Recorder, Amplified Phone • Each session includes: • Hands-on time with AT and practice referencing quick start guide • Discussion of One-Stop customer scenarios where AT might be helpful • Reiteration of AT & accommodation resources (e.g. VR, JAN, AT Project)
Train-the-Trainer (cont.) Responses from One-Stop Staff who receive ongoing training/exposure to AT: • “57% of Working Age Adults would benefit from AT” – Staff will come forward and request AT for themselves. • Staff will be able to assist customers, w/o coming to you/DRC. • Staff may request additional training time, assistance, and information on AT as they become more familiar with it. • Staff will begin to access other AT and accommodation related resources on their own as familiarity increases (e.g. JAN and VR). • Staff will begin to feel more comfortable and excited about AT and begin sharing information on the benefits of AT with One-Stop customers, One-Stop employers, as well as friends & family members. • Staff will ultimately experience better outcomes for customers.
AT Audit & Secret-Shopper Consider accessing your local Independent Living Center and other local disability organizations to: • Partner w/ the AT-Team to assist with the initial audit of the existing AT within the One-Stop • Help get a baseline for AT awareness; answering the questions: • “How well do staff access current AT for customers?” • “How well did past marketing efforts work in terms of raising knowledge of AT in One-Stop?” • “What AT marketing efforts might be useful in future?” • Serve as Secret-Shoppers to see how well One-Stop staff access AT for customers after going through AT Training/Awareness & provide helpful feedback.
AT MARKETING MENU ITEM $$ Assess Existing AT Marketing Efforts & Explore New Ones ITEM $$ Post AT references & lists on state DOL & local One-Stop websites. Put up AT Posters and Signage in the One-Stop. $$ ITEM Include info on AT in One-Stop Handouts, Brochures, and at every One-Stop Orientation. $$ ITEM Access Local Media to Market NEW AT available at the One-Stop:Newspaper articles / Press Releases / Radio / Local Cable Channel ITEM $$ Promote and Provide Walking Tours of One-Stops that include demos of AT. Target these efforts to local disability groups & employers. $$ ITEM Word of Mouth Marketing via One-Stop staff, partners, WIB, customers
Marketing Examples Examples from Alaska DEI
Marketing Examples Front Desk Sign Universal Computer Poster Examples from Virginia DEI
Integrating AT into Wagner-Peyser & WIA Services • AT and Core Services • AT and Intensive Services • AT and Training Services For those of you who are not handy, these are “levels”. Get it? Multiple Levels of Service!
Assistive Technology & CORE SERVICES
AT & Core Services Assistive Technology can be critical in ensuring access to: • Registration processes • Assessment • Core service workshops
AT & Core Services (cont.) Registration processes • Registration is the initial activity for any customer at the One-Stop, • Customers will often hesitate to disclose at registration • If the registration is unsuccessful the customer is unlikely to access any services at the One-Stop
AT & Core Services (cont.) Assessment • Assessment is a key element in determining the service track of a newly registered customer in the One-Stop • Performance on assessments is often an eligibility criteria for referral to trainings or job opportunities • One-Stop staff are often uneasy about allowing AT in an assessment situation
AT & Core Services (cont.) Core Service Workshops • Core Service Workshops often involve instruction around specific job search activities critical to a customer reaching program outcomes • Core Service Workshops are frequently used as a part of the eligibility process for intensive and training services • Providing AT in a workshop environment is often more challenging to both customers and staff than providing AT in a resource room environment
AT & Core Services (cont.) Example: Read & Write • For people with low vision or learning disabilities. • Read and Write software provides a suite of functions that can assist customers by incorporating voice to text, visual organizational cues, and spelling and word meaning cues. Read and Write is designed to be self-directed and easily applied even by first-time users.
AT & Core Services (cont.) Example: Read & Write • Assistance and support in filling out registration forms independently when in a virtual format • Assistance and support in completing assessments and increasing the accuracy of such assessments for customers with learning disabilities or low vision • Assistance and support in reaching workshop outcomes independently when workshop curriculum includes computer based or online components
Assistive Technology & INTENSIVE SERVICES
AT & Intensive Services Assistive Technology can be critical in ensuring access to: • Enrollment procedures and processes • Job search supports available at the One-Stop • Enhance the effectiveness of Case Management services
AT & Intensive Services(cont.) Enrollment procedures and processes Enrollment in WIA intensive services often will involve a process that can include: • Assessment • Development of a training/placement (service)plan • Demonstration of readiness determined by prolonged engagement with core service activities and/or successful completion of assigned next steps
AT & Intensive Services(cont.) Accessing job search supports at the One-Stop • An increasing number of job search activities are performed online • Wagner-Peyser Programs often require the development of profiles to access their job matching services.
AT & Intensive Services(cont.) Effective Case Management services Assistive Technology can increase the effectiveness of communication between the customer and the WIA case manager which is critical to a customers success because: • WIA case managers will often give customers numerous next steps and schedule follow up appointments bi-weekly or even further apart • WIA case managers often make referrals to other systems each of which will engage the customer in eligibility and planning activities
AT & Intensive Services (cont.) Example: Portable Digital Audio Recording Device For customers with hearing impairments, low vision, learning disabilities or customers who are blind. Allows a customer to review verbal materials at a higher volume or can substitute for written notes for the purpose of review.
AT & Intensive Services (cont.) Example: Portable Digital Audio Recording Device • Can record complex instructions around forms or next steps allowing for independent review or additional explanation from One-Stop staff or whomever the customer prefers to use in this role. • Can allow a customer to review instructions or presentations at a higher volume allowing for additional and more effective comprehension of materials or information.
Assistive Technology & TRAINING SERVICES
AT & Training Services Assistive Technology can be critical in ensuring: • Development of a training plan • Communicating progress and needs to Case Manager as a training and placement plan progresses. • Accessing, benefiting, and reaching the outcomes associated with WIA funded training.
AT & Training Services(cont.) Development of a training plan • The development of WIA training plans often involve a customer researching local labor market trends, and the curriculum and outcomes associated with local training providers then reporting back to the WIA Case Manager.
AT & Training Services(cont.) Communicating progress and needs to Case Manager as a training and placement plan progresses. • The development of a WIA training plan often involves the customer developing and communicating a plan to access additional resources and a budget that maps out how critical supports will be maintained during the training.
AT & Training Services(cont.) Accessing, benefiting, and reaching the outcomes associated with WIA funded training. • Developing an AT strategy that takes into account all the steps associated with the development and implementation of a WIA training plan can both facilitate enrollment in WIA training services, and increase the likelihood a customer will attain the outcomes associated with those services.
AT & Training Services (cont.) Example: Dragon Naturally Speaking • Provides voice to text support and is voice activated. It can allow customers with low vision or learning disabilities to become computer literate and independently perform computer based activities.
AT & Training Services (cont.) Example: Dragon Naturally Speaking • Allows customers to independently access resource materials and research labor market, and training provider information while developing a training plan. • Allows a customer to participate and benefit from WIA funded trainings. • Enhances a customers ability to communicate and maintain engagement with WIA case managers as training/placement plan is implemented. • Assists a customer in placement activities post training and enhance their capacity to learn and perform specific job duties once placed.
So what did we cover today? • Role of the DEI Project Lead and DRC related to AT in the One-Stop • Partners and Strategies to help implement AT within the One-Stop • Strategies for Marketing AT in the One-Stop • Integrating AT into the Core, Intensive and Training Services at the One-Stop
Additional Resources • Designing a Universally Accessible Electronic Work Station & Kiosk http://www.onestops.info/article.php?article_id=90 • Universal Design and Assistive Technology in the Workplacehttp://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/udatfact.doc • Access and Accommodations section of the One-Stop Toolkit – http://www.onestoptoolkit.org/statelocalbytopic.cfm • The United States General Service's Administration (GSA), Center for Information Technology Accommodation (CITA), Assistive Technology Showcase of the leading edge assistive technology equipment and devices, and ergonomic workplace solutions – http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/channelView.do?pageTypeId=8203&channelPage=%2Fep%2Fchannel%2FgsaOverview.jsp&channelId=-13127
CONTACT INFORMATION Miranda Kennedy (720) 890-3990 mkennedy@ndi-inc.org Brian Ingram (503) 913-6139 bingram@ndi-inc.org