Employment First Florida went to the Florida SANDs conference in Orlando and asked 10 people with disabilities about their experiences, feelings, and ideas about work. They shared that finding a job can be hard work, but all agreed in the end it is worth it. A group joined us on March 28 to hear what else they had to say.
Watch the presentation recording.
The Abilities Work Help Desk
The April 2016 Grassroots Group online meeting provided information about the resources available to help Florida’s employers find information about hiring qualified employees with disabilities and to help link people with disabilities to available job openings. The presenters shared information about how employers and job seekers with disabilities can use the Abilities Work Help Desk and Abilities Work Web Portal. Continue reading “The Abilities Work Help Desk”
Presentation | FAAST: Helping people with disabilities access assistive technology
Assistive technology (AT) is any item or piece of equipment that helps increase function. Most people think about wheelchairs, hearing aids, and screen readers, but there is so much more!
In some cases, AT may not be covered by insurance or government-funded supports. So where do you get AT devices in Florida? Luckily, the Florida Alliance for Assistive Technology (FAAST) is there to help. They have initiatives and programs that connect job seekers with the resources they need to thrive at home and at work.
In April 2018, the deputy director of FAAST, Eric Reed, presented to the EFF Grassroots Group. He gave an overview of FAAST and shared details about programs and initiatives, including device demonstrations, trainings, and the New Horizons Loan Program.
Watch Mr. Reed’s presentation recording to learn more about FAAST’s programs and how they can help people with disabilities.
You can also visit the FAAST website or contact Mr. Reed at ereed@faastinc.org. Also, connect with FAAST on Facebook and Twitter.
Self-Advocate Ashley Wolfe Presents at Florida Conference
Ashley Wolfe, an ICI research liaison, presented at the Florida SAND Conference in Orlando on February 3. Wolfe, who has intellectual disabilities, spoke about a new curriculum the ICI developed to help people with disabilities find fulfilling jobs and advocate for what they need.
The Explore Work Curriculum provides a chance for people with all kinds of disabilities to think about what kind of work they might like to do and to explore employment options. The curriculum includes short videos focused on asking for accommodations and finding transportation to the workplace.
Wolfe explained that the curriculum is intended “to give a sense of confidence and independence…giving real hope that you can work, capable of working, can be given the right kind of employment services.”
Wolfe said that the most fun part of the conference for her was meeting other participants from Florida. They had the chance to “socialize, dance, go out to eat and have a nice Italian dinner.”
When asked why others should attend this conference, Wolfe said, “This can be a way of connecting and having social interaction with [a] new and diverse population…People of different backgrounds, cultures, interests.”
January 2018 | Business Relations Project
GG Meeting Summary & Resources
As a result of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) has changed the way it engages businesses. VR established a business relations project which provides customized services to local businesses to help them recognize the value people with disabilities have and how to recruit and hire these individuals. Continue reading “January 2018 | Business Relations Project”