Institute Events and Trainings
Institute on Disabilities at Temple University

TECHNOLOGY

Assistive Technology and Employment

Resources


News Articles about Assistive Technology and Employment

"Apple iPad Helps Businesses Meet Needs of Disabled Employees." (PC World)

"Simple Accommodations to Help Your Autistic Employee Excel"

"New Assistive Technology Streamlines Warehousing Services and Opens Employment to More Adult Employees"

"Student-Designed Assistive Technology Enables Individual to Excel at Goodwill"

"Hiring a Person With a Disability Can Pay Off" (pennlive.com)


Information Especially for Employers


Workplace Flexibility Toolkit - The Office of Disability Employment Programs (ODEP) at the US Department of Labor has developed this unique Workplace Flexibility Toolkit to provide useful valuable information to employees, employers, policymakers, and researchers related to time and place, but also around task, a unique workplace flexibility strategy related to ODEP's Customized Employment research-based data. The Toolkit provides case studies, fact and tip sheets, issue briefs, reports, articles, websites, other toolkits, and frequently-asked questions.

ATConnects: the national assistive technology website

A Pathway to Accessible Workplace Technology - As part of the partnership between the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) and the Office of Disability Employment Policy, the ATIA has provided a report on action items and policy issues that should be considered to advance accessible workplace technology. On this page you can also find the report, "Case Studies to Advance the Implementation of Accessible Technology in the Workplace" which studies similar recommendations as implemented in another industry.

Disability Awareness: Increasing Employers Understanding of the ADA, Accommodations & Other Supports in the Workplace - www.worksupport.com/da/intro.cfm - This self-paced seminar covers disability awareness for HR professionals. Learn about stereotypes and misconceptions about people with disabilities; changing attitudes and behaviors that prevent growth of a company or organization; and developing skills that will help staff effectively communicate and work with people with disabilities.

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Employers, Business, and Industry - www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/CWP/view.asp?a=128&Q=168234

U.S. Department of Labor, Office on Disability Employment Policy (ODEP): Making Workplace Accommodations: Reasonable Costs, Big Benefits (PDF)

Business Case for Hiring People with Disabilities—America's Heroes at Work


Assistive Technology at Work Training Manual



Videos


USDA TARGET Center Launches Profiles in Technology Video Series on USDA YouTube Channel
"In our first episode, we introduce Dr. Denise Decker, an NRCS employee who has a successful career at Agriculture during which she has travelled the world and written a published book about her guide dog, all with the help of assistive technology."

Webcast on Employment and Augmentative Communication
"Success stories are used to illustrate evidence-based practices for supporting employment for individuals who use AAC, and to demonstrate that participation in the workforce is an achieveable goal for individuals with complex communication needs."

Walgreens' Videos
This link takes you to the site that describes Walgreens' innovative program that competitively employs people with disabilities in their distribution center. There are links captioned to video and text.

Imagine the Possibilities - Innovative Hiring Through Assistive Technology.
Length: 12 minutes. Provided by: www.explorehyatt.jobs. Click on Media Center then scroll down to the video "Imagine the Possibilities." Please note: this video is not captioned.

The Changing Face of Technology: Document Imaging Meets the Challenge
Transcript is also available.


Guides to Assistive Technology and Employment


Related Publications


National Council on Disability Releases Report on Impact of Technology on Employment for People with Disabilities - The National Council on Disability released this report earlier in October that examines the importance of social media and other information technologies in connecting people to job opportunities. Digital barriers to our nation's networked economy can reinforce rather than break down disproportionately low employment among people with disabilities. The recommendations contained in this report are designed to open the doors to digital technologies that can lead to better jobs for more people with disabilities.

The Aging Workforce: The Role of Medical Professionals in Helping Older Workers and Workers with Disabilities to Stay at Work or Return to Work and Remain Employed (PDF) - The Department of Labor has released a brief on the role of medical professionals in helping older workers and workers with disabilities retain employment and return to work. Due to the low employment rates for these individuals and growth in Social Security Disability Insurance caseloads there has been an increasing need to create new policies to provide supports encouraging the employment of these workers. The brief highlights several strategies and recommendations to address these issues.


Trainings and Other Upcoming Events


Other Links


From Disabled World: "iPod Touch Helps Adults with Autism in the Workplace"
Citation: Disabled World News (2012-09-03) - iPod Touch - A portable media player, personal digital assistant, handheld game console, and Wi-Fi mobile device designed and marketed by Apple Inc.: http://www.disabled-world.com/assistivedevices/apps/ipod-touch.php#ixzz2716book2

www.AmericasHeroesAtWork.gov A U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) project that focuses on the employment challenges of returning service members living with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and/or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

On Wednesday, March 2, 2011 the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP) held a full committee hearing titled, "Improving Employment Outcomes for People with Disabilities."
Opening Statements and Discussion - Chairman Tom Harkin opened the widely attended hearing emphasizing the purpose of the hearing was to identify ways to increase the employment rate for people with disabilities. The hearing focused in large part on people with intellectual disabilities, 76 percent of which are not employed. Employment leads to a number of benefits, Harkin noted, including better self esteem and social opportunity but also income to support independence. Having a job reduces the percentage of those with disabilities living in poverty and leads to a longer, healthier life and "contributes to society in a fiscal way" not just an altruistic one. Harkin stated that key groups representing people with disabilities have joined the Alliance for Full Participation and they have set a goal of doubling the employment rate for people with disabilities by 2015. Harkin stated his intention is to "increase the employment rate, increase the poverty rate, and the quality of life for persons with disabilities." More information on this hearing, including testimony and a webcast of the session, is available at: http://help.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/?id=536891af-5056-9502-5d9c-9a3e588e3214.

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CONTACT

For more information contact:

Amy S. Goldman
Voice: 800-204-7428, in-state only; or 215-204-3862
TTY: 866-268-0579, in-state only
Voice: 215-204-1356
TTY: 215-204-1805
Fax: 215-204-9371
Email: piat@temple.edu

Deborah Delgado
Traumatic Brain Injury Project Director
Disability Rights Network of PA
1414 N. Cameron St, 2nd Floor
Harrisburg PA 17103
Voice: 800-692-7443 x317
TTY: 877-375-7139
Email: ddelgado@drnpa.org
www.drnpa.org

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