Creating a technology-accessible workplace

Employers who make workplaces accessible — including with technology — can attract top talent. The Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology (PEAT) is hosting a webinar for employers to learn how accessible technology can improve their bottom line.

See the description below and register here.

In today’s workplace, technology is one of the central drivers of productivity and success for all workers. But when workplace technology isn’t accessible for everyone, it can cause employers to miss out on top talent. Join the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion and the Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology on February 22 for a webinar on creating a technology-accessible workplace. Employers can learn about accessible workplace technology and how to ensure their organization’s technology infrastructure is accessible for everyone, including employees with disabilities.

Webinar: Paving the way to employment

Guided Group Discovery (GGD) is a universal design approach used within workforce development systems to enable youth and adults with disabilities, and others who faces barriers to employment, to secure and maintain employment.

These strategies serve as an alternative assessment tool that identifies the strengths and ideal conditions of employment for job seekers with and without disabilities, resulting in a “blueprint” to guide job development.

A webinar hosted by the LEAD Center is set for 3 p.m. Monday, June 26. Click here for details and registration information.

Participants will learn about Guided Group Discovery pilot projects and how to implement these practices through cross-system partnerships.

WEBINAR: The business case for accessible technology

The Employer Assistance and Resource Network (EARN) is hosting a free webinar at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 13.

Technology is one of the central drivers of productivity and success in today’s workplace, for all workers. But when the technology in your workplace is inaccessible to people with disabilities, it impedes employees from performing to their fullest potential. This webinar will address the basics of employer responsibilities and opportunities related to accessibility of websites, online systems, mobile applications, and other forms of information and communication technology.

Click here to register and see the panelists.

 

Job readiness course starts Jan. 18

Center for Independent Living Options is hosting a five-week job readiness course beginning Wednesday, Jan. 18. This new class will prepare you for employment through self-assessment, creating a plan and setting goals, finding a job, and learning to manage your career.

Participants will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the five-week course, which is held every Wednesday from 1-2 p.m. Click here for a flier or email Yonel Robinson for more information.

Restaurant skills class starts in January

YWCA Greater Cincinnati is launching a new six-week training program in response to the growing demand for skilled dining room professionals.

First Course: Certified Dining Room Professional (CDRP) begins Monday, Jan. 23 and will be offered without charge to eligible individuals, thanks to funding support from Procter & Gamble. Prospective students must attend one information session prior to registration:

• 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Dec. 8
• 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Dec. 15
• 9 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Jan. 5.

Classes begin Monday, Jan. 23 and are held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Monday and Tuesday at the YWCA downtown office, 898 Walnut St. Participants also will gain hands-on learning experience at the Duke Energy Convention Center.

Upon completion, students will be eligible to take the CDRP examination and will also receive “black and whites,” the standard restaurant banquet uniform. Transportation to the Convention Center will be provided. Click here for the full press release. Call 513-361-2149 to register or with questions.

Classes to build job-search and interview skills

The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati (DSAGC) kicks off its Employment Series tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 29. They’re from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for the next four weeks.

This program provides the tools necessary to obtain and strengthen skills for finding meaningful employment. One will learn about resumes, determining and utilizing their character strengths, professionalism and presenting yourself, and interviewing skills. Each participant will take part in mock interviews in the final week of the series.

• Week 1: Resume Building
• Week 2: Character Strengths & Finding Jobs
• Week 3: Professionalism and Presenting Yourself
• Week 4: Put Your Skills into Practice – Mock Interviews

Registration and other details available on the DSAGC website.

Workforce Solutions Summit will connect businesses to employees with disabilities

The Boards of Developmental Disabilities from Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren counties will hold a Workforce Solutions Summit to promote the hiring of individuals with disabilities. The event is 8-9:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, at the Crowne Plaza Cincinnati, 5901 Pfeiffer Road in Blue Ash.

“Employees with disabilities are an untapped workforce,” said Keith Banner, Employment Services Coordinator from the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities. “People with disabilities deserve the chance to work in the community, and the chance to work alongside people who do not have a disability. Workers with disabilities can perform almost any type of job if just given the opportunity.”

At the Workforce Solutions Summit participants will learn how to successfully hire people with disabilities, and the types of services and supports available to help these individuals succeed in their jobs.

The keynote speaker is Mary Stagaman, senior inclusion advisor for the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. “Research shows employee retention rates go up when you hire people with disabilities,” said Stagaman. “Many businesses are not familiar with the resources available in the community to support both the hiring process and successful inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace.”

The event will be facilitated by Lauren Todd, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant for ViaQuest, Inc., and Matt Disher, talent acquisition leader for Cintas. A business panel of representatives from Fifth Third Bank, Kings Island, Pinebrook Retirement Community, ThyssenKrupp Bilstein, and the Warren County Probate and Juvenile Court will present and discuss their success stories in employing people with developmental disabilities.

Closing remarks will be made by Jordan Vogel, vice president for talent initiatives for the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber.

The Workforce Solutions Summit is aimed at business owners, human resource professionals, and hiring managers. Attendance is free but limited to 100 participants. Advance registration is required, and a full buffet breakfast will be provided. Register online at Eventbrite.

 

The Boards of Developmental Disabilities from Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren Counties support more than 10,000 individuals with disabilities, and their families who live in those counties through Early Intervention, Adult Services, Employment, Residential, Therapy, and other support programs.

Want to hire people with disabilities? Two learning sessions set for businesses

Did you know people with disabilities have a higher retention rate than people without disabilities? Or that there are several tax incentives for businesses?

The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber is hosting two sessions aimed at small business owners and hiring managers who want to learn more the benefits of hiring people with disabilities.

• 7:30-9 a.m. on Aug. 4 at TriHealth Pavilion, 6200 Pfeiffer Road
• 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Aug. 8 at the Chamber’s offices, 3 E. Fourth St.

“Many small businesses aren’t familiar with the resources available in the community to support both the hiring process and successful inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace,” Chamber senior inclusion adviser Mary Stagaman told the Cincinnati Business Courier. “Our partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor provides a great opportunity to better connect people who are ready to work with open jobs in the region.”

Register on the Chamber website or read more about these sessions online.

National employment conference coming to Cincinnati June 21-23

The National Conference for the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) is coming to Cincinnati June 21-23.

It brings together businesses, individuals with disabilities and community leaders from across the country and around the world to network and discuss state-of-the-art strategies to ensure equitable employment for citizens with disabilities.

The 2016 National APSE Conference – Soaring to EmploymentFirst – features two days of high quality, interactive breakout sessions.  Featured sessions will focus on state-of-the-art practices in integrated employment in the areas of:

• Innovative Practices in Integrated Employment
• Leadership for the Future
• Public Policy and Funding
• Transition from School to Adult Life
• Family & Self Advocacy and more

Through advocacy and education, APSE’s mission aims to advance employment and self-sufficiency for all people with disabilities. Click here for more details on the conference and registration information.

Webinar series focuses on disability issues and best practices for businesses

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) has released much of its 2016 Webcast Training schedule. Held monthly at 2 p.m., each session focuses on a different topic:

• Jan 12: Addressing Workplace Harassment
• Feb. 9: Current Events in ADA Accommodations
• March 8: Accommodating Employees with Learning Disabilities
• April 12: Addressing Safety in the Workplace
• May 17: Performance and Conduct Issues and the ADA
• June 14: What’s new with assistive technology
• July 12: ADA update
• Aug. 9: Best practices

Find a full description of each session and registration instructions on the JAN website.