Additional Resources
Yes, You Can Work! Maximizing Income Through Competitive Employment
Join us for an informative webinar where we’ll discuss competitive employment opportunities for SSI/SSDI applicants and beneficiaries.
Our panel of experts includes representatives from Cornell University’s Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability and National Disability Institute, who will provide an overview of employment supports, opportunities and benefits planning services available to individuals with disabilities.
You’ll hear from a SSI/SSDI Outreach Access and Recovery (SOAR) provider who will share their approach to discussing competitive work with SOAR-assisted SSI/SSDI applicants and collaborating with vocational rehabilitation programs. We will also be joined by an SSI/SSDI beneficiary who will share their personal experience working with a SOAR Specialist and Vocational Rehabilitation to successfully access SSA benefits and obtain employment. Tools and resources developed by the SOAR TA Center will be discussed and shared.
Access the webinar materials and recording
Please note: ASL Interpretation and Captioning was be provided during the live event.
Please submit your questions or comments to: soar@prainc.com.
Making Space for Disabled Creatives
This webinar will introduce attendees to Making Space, an accessible talent acquisition and learning platform that enhances quality employment opportunities for Disabled people. Participants will explore creative career pathways available through Making Space, and discover success stories stemming from their partnerships, including the recent collaboration with NBCUniversal. This session is ideal for Disabled people aiming for careers in creative fields, HR professionals focused on fostering inclusive employment, educators in creative and technical disciplines, and advocates for disability rights and workplace inclusion. The session will be hosted by founder & CEO, Keely Cat-Wells.
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.
EARN Small Business Webinar Series: Local and State Disability Inclusion Incentives and Resources for Small Businesses
01:00 PM – 02:00 PM Eastern
Did you know that many local and state governments provide incentives and resources to small businesses to meet their workforce needs with talent with disabilities? These incentives and resources help the business hire and retain workers with disabilities. Local and state governments offer various supports, such as tax incentives or reimbursement for the cost of workplace accommodations. Many small businesses can benefit from these – and similar support may exist in your area.
In this webinar, learn about innovative state and local programs that help small businesses tap into a talented and diverse workforce and promote inclusivity with minimal cost. Experts from Minnesota’s Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund and the City of Tacoma, Washington Department of Finance will offer participants the reasons to and guidance on developing and implementing such a program. The benefits of these programs will also be discussed.
During this webinar, participants will learn more about:
- A local program providing tax incentives for supporting small businesses to meet their workforce needs with talent with disabilities
- A state government-funded program that provides financial assistance to employers to cover accommodations for disabled employees
- Ways to build mutually beneficial relationships between small business, community organizations, and state and local governments
ASL and real-time captioning will be provided.
Please reach out to EARN if you have any questions about this event at: earn@askearn.org.
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 Zoom Recording (with shared screen and gallery view)
Watch the Webinar on YouTube (with corrected captions)
View and Download the PowerPoint Slides
ASL Interpretation was provided by Interpreter Now and Captioning was 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 Zoom Recording (with shared screen and gallery view)
Watch the Webinar on YouTube (with corrected captions)
View and Download the PowerPoint Slides
ASL Interpretation was provided by Interpreter Now and Captioning was 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: 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!
Watch the Zoom Recording (with shared screen and gallery view)
Watch the Webinar on YouTube (with corrected captions)
ASL Interpretation was provided by Interpreter Now and Captioning was provided by Caption First. 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 Zoom Recording (with shared screen and gallery view)
Watch the Webinar on YouTube (with corrected captions)
View and Download the PowerPoint slides
ASL Interpretation was provided by Interpreter Now and Captioning was provided by Caption First. 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 Zoom Recording (with shared screen and gallery view)
Watch the Webinar on YouTube (with corrected captions)
ASL Interpretation was provided by Interpreter Now and Captioning was provided by Caption First. 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 Zoom Recording (with shared screen and gallery view)
Watch the Webinar on YouTube (with corrected captions)
View and Download the Presentation
ASL Interpretation was provided by Interpreter Now and Captioning was provided by Caption First. 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 Zoom Recording (with shared screen and gallery view)
Watch the Webinar on YouTube (with corrected captions)
ASL Interpretation was provided by Interpreter Now and Captioning was provided by Caption First. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at ajones@ndi-inc.org.
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.
Watch the Zoom Recording (with shared screen and gallery view)
Watch the Webinar on YouTube (with corrected captions)
ASL Interpretation was provided by Interpreter Now, Captions were automatically generated by Zoom. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at 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 Zoom Recording (with shared screen and gallery view)
Watch the Webinar on YouTube (with corrected captions)
ASL Interpretation was provided by Interpreter Now, Captions were automatically generated by Zoom. If you have questions about this session, please email Alexis Jones at 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
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.