T-TAP is pleased to highlight the TA sites for 2005. These five organizations were selected to receive training and technical assistance from T-TAP staff and the CRP Leadership Network to help develop their programs from segregated work and non-work options to competitive employment opportunities in the community. They join last year's agencies to receive TA. The technical assistance is individualized to the needs of each CRP and can include program planning, marketing, budgeting, staff development and financial planning, and other aids to management.   Meet the 2005 TA Sites

Online Seminar - Discovery and Customization - The Touchstone of Customization: Who is this Person?
Presenter: Michael Callahan Marc Gold & Associates and Employment for All

In this online seminar, Michael Callahan discusses the concept of Discovery. Customized employment requires knowledge of the individual. Discovery provides the foundation for job developers and others assisting an individual in coming up with a customized plan that is reflective of the applicants strengths, needs and interests. Discovery is a process that basically answers the question, “Who is this person?” If you are to customize any sort of service, it would seem that the answer of “Who is this person?” is a necessary starting point.   View this online seminar

T-TAP Fact Sheet - Customized Employment Q & A: Assistive Technology as a Workplace Support

What do a watch with an alarm, a day planner, a Palm Pilot, and a computer all have in common? These are examples of devices that can assist employees complete their daily job duties. For the worker with a disability such “assistive technology devices” may be vital to obtaining employment and improving daily work performance. Assistive technology (AT) can assist in bridging the gap between a person’s physical abilities and the job requirements. Many workplace challenges can be either overcome or ameliorated by using assistive technology in combination with other types of workplace supports.

Despite the promise of assistive technology, many people with significant physical disabilities remain in facility-based employment programs. Underutilization of AT to facilitate competitive employment is related to a number of critical issues. This includes lack of information on available technology; lack of coordination across services; lack of training on how to use devices for users, families, and professionals; and lack of coordination in the evaluation and selection, as well as lack of funding of assistive technology alternatives. This fact sheet will provide some general information about assistive technology and provide resources that the reader can access for more information.   Read the Fact Sheet

Upcoming Webcast - Increasing Employment for People with Disabilities who are Homeless
Presenter: Gary Shaheen, Advocates for Human Potential, Inc.
Date/Time: August 15, 2005 2 - 2:45 pm ET, followed by a live chat session

Gary Shaheen is the Director of Employment Program Development for Advocates for Human Potential. He currently serves as Project Manager for the USDOL Office of Disability Employment Policy/HUD Chronic Homelessness Employment Technical Assistance Center (CHETA), and provides technical assistance to states under the CMHS Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) Program.

In this webcast, Gary will discuss current approaches to help people with disabilities who are homeless re-enter the mainstream workforce. He will cover the common obstacles to accessing and maintaining employment and will discuss strategies for overcoming these barriers. He will explain the importance of developing cross-systems collaborations in supporting consumers’ employment efforts.   Find out More and Register Online