National Symposium on Quality Employment 2024

Hosted by the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Quality Employment

Registration is Now Open!
When: May 22 and 23, 2024
Location: Grainger Hall, 975 University Avenue
Madison, Wisconsin or Virtually on Zoom

Cost: Free, registration required.
CRCs: Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (in-person and attending virtually) can earn a total of 15 CRC CEUs, of which nine will qualify for ethics credits 
Join us in Person or Virtually!

If you have an accommodations request or a dietary restriction, please register by 3/30/24.

Beyond Our Disabilities – Celebrating Black Disabled Entrepreneurs

“Beyond our Disabilities – Celebrating Black Disabled Entrepreneurs” is an empowering event dedicated to showcasing the tenacity and innovation of Black entrepreneurs with disabilities. This event, in collaboration with National Disability Institute (NDI) and Financial Joy School, offers the inspirational stories of determination and success from founders who have triumphantly navigated a variety of challenges. The event will be hosted by the charismatic Ruby SunShine Taylor and feature a panel of outstanding entrepreneurs, including Mariah Barber from Invisible Strengths, Dr. Samantha Scott of JuneBrain and Stephanie Thomas of Cur8able.com. Join us for an afternoon of celebration, insights and appreciation for these extraordinary individuals who have turned obstacles into opportunities for growth and achievement

Watch the Recording 

View and Download the PowerPoint Slides

Download the Transcript

ASL Interpretation was be provided by Interpreter Now and Captioning was be provided by Caption First. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org.

Self-Employed and Self-Determined: Using Supported Decision-Making In Practice Webinar

Presented by: Jonathan Martinis, Senior Director for Law and Policy, Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University

This session focused on using Supported Decision-Making strategies to access and benefit from the supports and services available from various resources.

We’ll focus on best practices to empower and enable people with disabilities to maximize their employment and earning potential, including achieving self-employment. Topics will include using SDM to access needed resources and will include a panel of entrepreneurs with disabilities who have used SDM to start their businesses.

Watch the Recording 

View and Download the PowerPoint Slides

Download the Transcript

ASL Interpretation and Captioning were be provided. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org. Please check back 1-2 weeks after the live webinar to view a recording of the webinar and to download the slides from the presentation.

Self-Employed and Self-Determined: Introduction to Supported Decision-Making Webinar

Presented by: Jonathan Martinis, Senior Director for Law and Policy, Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University

Study after study has shown that when people with disabilities have more control over their life and make more decisions for themselves – when they have more self-determination – they have better lives. People with disabilities who are more self-determined are more likely to live independently, work, be integrated into their communities, and avoid abuse.

Unfortunately, people with disabilities are often ordered into guardianships that are unnecessary or too restrictive. This can limit their quality of life and opportunity to work — including in self-employment — and live independently. After all, if you were a bank, would you lend someone money to start or fund a business if they had not legal right to make financial decisions?

This session will introduce the audience to the theory and practice of Supported Decision-Making (SDM). When people with disabilities use SDM, they work with friends, family, and professionals so they can understand their choices and make their own decisions.  As a result, SDM can help people be self-determined, have better work and life outcomes, and avoid unnecessary guardianship!

View the recording

Download the transcript

View and download the slides

View and download the handout

ASL Interpretation and Captioning were provided. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org.

Is Owning a Business a Good Fit for You?

Completing this class is an important step towards deciding whether you should start a business. After completing this class, you will be able to:

  • Clarify some of the myths and realities of small business ownership.
  • Start a self-assessment to determine your readiness to become a small business owner.
  • Set a plan of action to complete your self-assessments by seeking feedback from stakeholders, such as family, friends, and potential customers.
  • Have exclusive access to grant opportunities and professional consulting and mentorship 1:1.
  • Learn more about various business resources and program opportunities.

Register here: https://startup2023.eventbrite.com

Sign up for Verizon Small Business Digital Ready.

To make a reasonable accommodation request or if you have questions about this event, please email Ruth Chavez at rchavez@ndi-inc.org. Please allow at least 3-5 business days’ advance notice; last minute requests will be accepted though may not be possible to fulfill.

Is Owning a Business a Good Fit for You?

Completing this class is an important step towards deciding whether you should start a business. After completing this class, you will be able to:

  • Clarify some of the myths and realities of small business ownership.
  • Start a self-assessment to determine your readiness to become a small business owner.
  • Set a plan of action to complete your self-assessments by seeking feedback from stakeholders, such as family, friends, and potential customers.
  • Have exclusive access to grant opportunities and professional consulting and mentorship 1:1.
  • Learn more about various business resources and program opportunities.

Register here: https://startup2023.eventbrite.com

To make a reasonable accommodation request or if you have questions about this event, please email Ruth Chavez at rchavez@ndi-inc.org. Please allow at least 3-5 business days’ advance notice; last minute requests will be accepted though may not be possible to fulfill.

Creating Accessible Emails

Email is a vital communication tool, so it’s important to avoid accessibility barriers that might prevent someone from viewing or understanding a message. Research shows that when an email is accessible, people are more likely to read it. Learn how to make your emails more accessible for all your clients, customers, donors, etc.

Presented by: Results One LLC

Watch the Recording

View and Download the PowerPoint slides

Download the Transcript

ASL Interpretation and Captioning were provided. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org.

Guardianship and Self-Employment Listening Session

We held a listening session to learn how guardianship or supported decision making (SDM) can facilitate or be a barrier to self-employment for people with disabilities. We invited people with disabilities and their parents who have started down the path of self-employment and have a guardian/SDM. We were interested in hearing about your experiences.

ASL Interpretation and Captioning were provided. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org.

This event was not be recorded for public viewing.

Creating Accessible PDFs

PDF document accessibility plays a vital role in the overall accessibility of your website. To provide an equal experience for all users, regardless of disability, you must develop all digital content with accessibility in mind.

Presented by Results One LLC

Watch the Recording

View and Download the Slides

Download the Transcript

ASL Interpretation and Captioning were provided. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org.

Social Media Accessibility

The content you deliver via social media should be accessible. However, social media platforms don’t always make it easy to add alternative text or consider other disabilities like Deaf and Hard of Hearing, visual impairment or loss, distractions, etc. In this workshop, you will learn tips to make your social media content as compliant as possible so everyone can participate.

Presented by Results One LLC

Watch the recording

View and Download the Presentation

Download the transcript

ASL Interpretation and Captioning were provided. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org.

Creating Accessible Content for Content Creators

What does accessible content mean, and why is it important to your customers and employees? The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are a set of principles intended for content and web creators to ensure that all people, including those with disabilities, can view, interact, and share information. This course will teach you how to create accessible content.

Presented by Results One LLC

Watch the Recording

View and Download the Slides

Download the Transcript

ASL Interpretation and Captioning will be provided. To make a reasonable accommodation request or if you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org. Please allow at least 3-5 business days’ advance notice; last minute requests will be accepted, but may not be possible to fulfill.

Deafhood Training Part 3: Communicating Effectively

Presented by: Gallaudet Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute

The Dos and Don’ts of including Deaf and hard of hearing people in your meetings on Zoom and in-person meetings. Tips and strategies to maximize communication effectiveness in meetings so that everyone feels included — not left behind.

View the Recording

Download the Slides

ASL interpretation and captioning were provided during the session. If you have any accessibility requests or questions, please email ajones@ndi-inc.org.

Deafhood Training Part 2: Understanding Language Translation

Presented by: Gallaudet Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute

Further dive into Deafhood with the lens of language translation through more than one modality. This session provides an understanding of how language translation impacts small business training for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people. Providing an American Sign Language interpreter is often inadequate, especially from the training perspective — we will explore why along with the recommended solutions.

Watch the Archive

Download the Slides

ASL interpretation and captioning (CART) will be provided during the session. If you have any accessibility requests or questions, please email ajones@ndi-inc.org.

Disability-Sensitivity Session 1: Introduction to Disability Inclusion

At the end of the session, you will be able to:
• Identify different types of disabilities as defined by the ADA, including hidden disabilities;
• Share appropriate responses to people with disabilities;
• Use person-centered approaches
• Debunk some common myths about people with disabilities
• Identify specific, actionable tips for treating people with disabilities respectfully

Watch the Archive

Download the Slides

Disability-Sensitivity Session 8: Creating Accessible Content for Content Creators: The Basics

What does accessible content mean, and why is it important to your customers and employees? The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are a set of principles intended for content and web creators to ensure that all people, including those with disabilities, can view, interact, and share information. This course will teach you how to create accessible content.

ASL interpretation and live captioning (CART) were provided during the session. If you have any accessibility requests or questions, please email ajones@ndi-inc.org.

Watch the Recording

Download the Slides

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