Maine Employment Curriculum  Resources

Assistive Technology and Accommodations

• Job Accommodation Network - http://www.jan.wvu.edu/ 
  • A great source for employment accommodation ideas for a wide variety of jobs and disabilities.
• ABLEDATA – http://www.abledata.com/
  • Extensive information on assistive technology and links to information on a wide variety of devices.
• Ability hub –http://www.abilityhub.com/index.htm 
  • Source for assistive technology related to computer use.
• Georgia Assistive Technology project - http://gpat.org/
  • Contains useful links to assistive technology resources.
• RI Assistive Technology Project - http://www.atap.state.ri.us/
  • Contains some useful fact sheets and guides related to assistive technology.
• Assistive Technology Journal - http://www.resna.org/ProfResources/Publications/ATJournal.php
  • Link to Assistive Technology Journal.
• Pocket Coach and Visual Assistant Software - http://www.ablelinktech.com/
  • Information on high tech pocket prompting systems that could be very useful for some individuals with cognitive disabilities.
• Worksight - http://www.ablelinktech.com/
  • Software for determining job preference for individuals with limited communication.
• Rehabilitation & Assistive Technology Society of North America - Organization that attempts to improve the potential of people with disabilities to achieve their goals through the use of technology by promoting research, development, education, advocacy and provision of technology.
• AT Conferences - http://www.starlingweb.com/adp/As00029e.htm
  • List of upcoming conferences on assistive technology.
• Exceptional Computing - http://www.exceptionalcomputing.com/
  • Resources and Products designed to assist individuals with disabilities use computers.
• Journal of Special Education Technology - http://jset.unlv.edu/
  • Journal with articles about assistive technology - primarily for use by educators.
• CAST and Universal Learning Center - http://www.cast.org
  • An educational, not-for-profit organization that uses technology to expand opportunities for all people, especially those with disabilities. Very good information on universal design.
• Universal Design for Learning (KY) - http://kysig.louisville.edu/udl/index.htm
  • Information using universal design to make learning available to all students.
• WebAIM (Web Accessibility in Mind) -http://www.webaim.org/ 
  • Information on creating accessible web sites.
• WGBH Media Access - http://main.wgbh.org/wgbh/access/
  • Information on making television accessible to persons with disabilities.
• Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic - http://www.rfbd.org/
  • National educational library for those with print disabilities.
• Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library - http://www.perkins.org/btbl/
  • Source for talking books.
• Communication Aid Manufacturers Association (CAMA) - http://www.zygo-usa.com/ 
  • Information on manufacturers of augmentative and assistive communication devices as well as information on training.
• Department of Justice – ADA standards for accessible design - http://www.ada.gov/stdspdf.htm
  • ADA standards for accessible design.

Organizations and Resources

• Association for Persons in Supported Employment - http://www.apse.org/

  • A membership organization formed in 1988 to improve and expand integrated employment opportunities, services, and outcomes for persons experiencing disabilities.

• Maine APSE – http://www.apse.org/chapters/me.html
  • Maine Chapter of Association for Persons in Supported Employment.
• Job Training Placement Report - http://www.impact-publications.com/jtpr/
  • A monthly newsletter for professionals who support employment for people with disabilities.
• Training Resource Network, Inc. (TRN) - http://www.trninc.com/
  • Source for books and other information on supporting individuals with disabilities with a large selection related to employment.
  • Books on Supported Employment at TRN
  • Books on job development at TRN
  • Books on Natural Supports at TRN
• Books on employment and transition at Brookes Publishing - http://www.pbrookes.com/store/transition.htm
  • Books on employment and transition from one of the premier publishers of disability related books.
• TRN online articles from InfoLines - http://www.trninc.com/seintlinks.html
  • Wide variety of archived articles from InfoLines. Great resource for articles related to all aspects of employment supports for individuals with disabilities.
• Global Applied Disability Research and Information Network - http://www.gladnet.org/
  • Brings together research centres, universities, enterprises, government departments, trade unions, and organizations to advance competitive employment and training opportunities for persons with disabilities.
• Worksupport.com - http://www.worksupport.com/
  • Information resources, & research about work & disability issue.
• Employer Assistance Referral Network - http://www.earnworks.com/
  • EARN connects employers who have job vacancies to employment service providers who have direct access to job ready individuals with disabilities. EARN also provides technical assistance to assist employers in locating appropriate organizations and information as they seek to hire qualified candidates with disabilities.
• TASH - Equity, Opportunity and Inclusion for People with Disabilities - http://www.tash.org/
  • An international association of people with disabilities, their family members, other advocates, and professionals fighting for a society in which inclusion of all people in all aspects of society is the norm.
• World Association for Supported Employment - http://www.wase.net/
  • Organization committed to employment opportunities and an improved quality of life for individuals with disabilities throughout the world.
• Association of University Centers on Disability - http://www.aucd.org/
  • A network of interdisciplinary Centers advancing policy and practice for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities. CCI is a member of this network.
• Disability Resource Management - http://www.disabilityresources.org/index.html
  • Disability resources on the Internet.
• Resources for Employers - http://www.communityinclusion.org/topic.php?topic_id=18
  • Great list of resources for employers from the Institute for Community Inclusion.
• Institute for Community Inclusion, University of MA, Boston - http://www.communityinclusion.org
  • The University of Massachusetts, Boston’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service. This site has some excellent employment support resources.

Benefits and Work Incentives

• Social Security Administration’s Book: - http://www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook/eng/main.htm
  • A comprehensive summary guide to employment support for people with disabilities under SSA and SSDI insurance programs.
• Social Security Administration’s Work Incentives - http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/generalinfo.htm
  • An explanation of social security benefits and a description of SSDI and SSI work incentives.
• Neighborhood Legal Services – http://www.nls.org/ssassi.htm
  • Latest updates on social security policies and work incentive
• PASS Times - http://www.nls.org/pass-times-index.htm
  • Info on PASS & other work incentives.
• US Department of Labor OneStop Toolkit - http://www.onestoptoolkit.org/
  • toolkit for serving persons with disabilities. This website is targeted toward state and local One-Stop service providers, but it contains resources that will be useful to a broader audience as well. Individuals with disabilities, advocates, parents, counselors and other professionals should find a rich source of information here.
• US Government benefits - http://www.govbenefits.gov/index.jsp
  • US government site describing benefits provided by government.
• Career One Stop - http://careeronestop.org/
  • Publicly-funded resource for jobseekers and businesses.
• WorkWorld - http://www.workworld.org/
  • Windows compatible software from Virginia Commonwealth University that can be used for determining benefits and work incentives.

Policy

• National Center on Workforce and Disability/Adult - http://www.onestops.info/
  • Provides training, technical assistance, policy analysis, and information to improve access for all in the workforce development system.
• The Center for the Study and Advancement of Disability Policy (CSADP) - http://www.disabilitypolicycenter.org
  • Provides information and analysis of disability policy including TWIAA, WIA, Olmstead, ADA, and work incentives.
• Disabilityinfo.gov - http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/
  • Information on New Freedom Initiative.
• DOL info on New Freedom Initiative - http://www.dol.gov/odep/newfreedom/main.htm
  • Information from the US Department of Labor on the New Freedom Initiative.
• DOL Office of Disability Employment Policy - http://www.dol.gov/odep/welcome.html
  • US Department of Labor information on policies related to employment and individuals with disabilities.
• The Americans with Disabilities Act: A Primer for Small Business - http://www.eeoc.gov/ada/adahandbook.html
  • A very good introduction to ADA for businesses. It includes general information about the ADA, information accommodations, and hiring dos and don'ts.
• Law, Health Policy and Disability Center - http://disability.law.uiowa.edu/lhpdc/lawdisabpolicy/
  • Great source of articles related to disability law and policy. It has many articles related to employment.
• Department of Justice: ADA – Business Connection - http://www.ada.gov/business.htm
  • Information for Businesses including ADA Publications, ADA Business Briefs, Design Standards, and ADA Regulations.
• Self-determination and work incentives - http://www.bus.vcu.edu/esi/sd/selfdetermine.html
  • Article demonstrating how work incentives can be use to enhance self-determination.
• ADA Document Portal, Employment Category - http://www.adaportal.org/Employment/Employment_Browse_TOC.html
  • This site from the U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research contains 311 documents related to the Americans with Disabilities Act and employment. The Title 1 Technical Assistance Manual may be especially useful for employers.

Ticket to Work

• Ticket to Work - http://www.yourtickettowork.com/
  • Official Ticket to Work site with complete description of program.
• Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act - http://www.cms.hhs.gov/TWWIA/
  • The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid's (CMS) informational website on the "Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999.”
• Maine Ticket - http://www.maineticket.org/
  • Maine's Ticket to Work Site - information on conferences and other useful links related to the Ticket "Roll Out."
• Alpha One Ticket to Work site - http://www.alpha-one.org/
  • Information on Maine Ticket to Work.
• SSA information on Ticket to Work - http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/Ticket/ticket_info.html

Self-Employment

• Small Business and Self Employment for People with Disabilities – http://www.dol.gov/odep/programs/promotin.htm
  • US Department of Labor site on small business.
  • The small business and self-employment service (SBSES) (From US Department of Labor – http://www.jan.wvu.edu/sbses/index.htm
    • Office of Disability Employment Policy – Office of Disability Employment Policy - provides information, counseling, and referrals about self-employment and small business ownership opportunities for people with disabilities.
• Making Self-Employment Work for People with Disabilities - http://www.pbrookes.com/store/books/griffin-6520/index.htm
  • New book by Cary Griffin & David Hammis on self-employment for people with disabilities.
• Diversity World - http://www.diversityworld.com/Disability/selfempl.htm
  • Links to resources on self-employment.
• No More Job Interviews! Self Employment Strategies for People with Disabilities - http://www.diversityshop.com/store/interviews.html
  • Book by Alice Doyle on self-employment.
• Information on self employment from Rural Institute at University of Montana -http://rtc.ruralinstitute.umt.edu/SelEm/VRandSBDCLinkages.htm
• National study on self-employment for individuals with disabilities - http://rtc.ruralinstitute.umt.edu/SelEm/SelEmRePrgRpt.htm
  • Research progress report from the Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities (RTC).
  • State self employment policies - Article from RTC.
  • Entrepreneurship, Self Employment and Disabilities - Videotape on Self-Employment from RTC.
  • Bringing Home the Bacon - Monograph on self-employment in Montana from RTC.
  • Self-employment - improving policies and practice - Article from RTC

Employment Supports Training

• Virginia Commonwealth University on-line certificate series and course on Supported Employment for Persons with Mental Illness - http://www.worksupport.com/training/courses.cfm
• Supported Employment Videotapes from Program Development Associates - http://www.disabilitytraining.com/support.html
• The APSE Institute - http://www.apse.org/
• Year-round training opportunities for front line workers, administrators, management staff, consumers, and family members. Accessible by phone.
• Community Visions and Effective Training at Work - http://www.trninc.com/
  • CD ROM training in supported employment.
• Surprising Answers - http://www.trninc.com/
  • Video on marketing & job development.