[accesscomp] Fw: 2013 Employment Resources for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired , Dan's tip for Wednesday October 16 2013
- From: "Bob Acosta" <boacosta@xxxxxxxxxxx>
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- Date: Wed, 16 Oct 2013 11:12:23 -0700
2013 Employment Resources for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired , Dan's
tip for Wednesday October 16 2013
----- Original Message -----
From: dan thompson
To: dan thompson
Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2013 10:49 AM
Subject: 2013 Employment Resources for People Who Are Blind or Visually
Impaired , Dan's tip for Wednesday October 16 2013
2013 Employment Resources for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired -
AccessWorld- October 2013
http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw141002
by Joe Strechay
Links inserted and editing for viewing off line done by Dan Thompson.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month kicks off with some
uplifting information about employment for people with disabilities.
Federal Efforts
In response to President Obama signing a 2010 Executive Order to
increase federal employment of individuals with disabilities, the US
Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy worked
with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which, in turn,
worked with federal agencies to create plans for hiring people with
disabilities. This federal initiative is intended to provide a
model for industries to follow in their own hiring practices.
Not all of the agencies are equally effective, and not all people
with disabilities or vision loss have had easy transitions into
federal positions. There are numerous success stories and a few
not-so-positive examples of how these processes have worked for
people with vision loss. That said, 200,000 people with disabilities
now work for the federal government, the most in 20 years, and the
rate of new hires with disabilities has increased. The US Department
of Labor is working on a rule that would require government subcontractors to
follow similar steps for employing people with disabilities and veterans. The
language of the rule is under some debate: some are concerned that the wording
is not specific enough, while others feel that the government shouldn't create
these types of regulations in the first place.
Add Your Voice to Private Sector Conversations about Many
mainstream corporations and industries have realized that people with
disabilities are an untapped resource. As groups like the United States
Business Leadership Network work to improve opportunities for people with
disabilities, the blindness community has to make sure that its voice is part
of the discussion. There are local business leadership networks in states and
communities. Let them know that the vision loss community wants to participate
and has a lot to offer.
Technology and the Employment Process:
Benefits and The employment process includes training, researching, applying,
interviewing, getting hired, starting a job, and maintaining
employment. Over the last 15 years in the US, much of the initial
phases of the employment process have moved online, meaning job
seekers must have computer and Internet access in order to
research, find, and act upon the largest number of employment opportunities.
Libraries can be an option for those who do not have Internet access at home,
though not all libraries have screen access software available. In addition,
due to budget and staff limitations, many libraries have trouble maintaining
the access technology they do
have. The move toward online applications has some benefits, such
as the ability to quickly apply for a job in any location. A job seeker can
apply for a job listing directly from a smartphone via the Web or an app, which
can be convenient and fast. A negative aspect of
searching for employment online is the proliferation of scams that
offer work in exchange for a small investment or those that claim to
offer an "easy, work-from-home opportunity."
The ability to network online and connect with people who may be
working in the same field is a major benefit of using technology in
the employment process. Along with this benefit comes the challenge
of ensuring that the people you meet online are honestly
representing themselves. There are also accessibility issues with
social networking platforms, as access can be limited due to
insufficient labeling and other barriers.
Another positive aspect of today's job search is that there are
many easily accessible sources for job listings. Online newspaper
classified ads, corporate and business websites, job search
websites, job announcement boards, and online list services allow
for more and faster access to opportunities. On the other hand, with these
opportunities comes the increase in effort required to search
through jobs that may not relate to your interests.
Technology has also changed the work environment in a way.
Working from home has become a more accepted practice now that the
office is only a call, chat, e-mail, or text away.
Employment Resources
The Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionEveryone is afforded
equal opportunity and access to the employment process under the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), Civil Rights Act, Rehabilitation Act, Age
Discrimination Act, and Genetic Information Discrimination Act. Employers are
not able to ask prospective employees about their disabilities, so people with
disabilities have to be prepared to bring up the topic creatively in order to
answer unasked questions related to their ability to perform job requirements.
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
http://www.eeoc.gov/
provides oversight to the laws relating to
employment and preventing discrimination during the employment
process. Over the past year, the EEOC has been revitalized with a lot of new
staff and improved focus.
AFB CareerConnect
http://www.afb.org/section.aspx?FolderID=2&SectionID=7
The CareerConnect website is a fully accessible AFB sub-site
dedicated to promoting the employment of people with vision loss.
CareerConnect boasts a number of helpful resources, such as articles about the
employment process, stories from successfully employed
people with vision loss,
http://www.afb.org/section.aspx?FolderID=2&SectionID=7&TopicID=267
and connections to mentors who are or
visually impaired and employed in many fields.
http://www.afb.org/section.aspx?FolderID=2&SectionID=7&TopicID=468
These mentors are great resources for career-specific questions, information
about job
accommodations, and more. CareerConnect also offers useful links
for job seekers, career exploration, and resume development tools. In addition,
CareerConnect provides useful tools and activities for
professionals working with clients who are blind or visually
impaired.
Career Clusters
http://www.afb.org/CareerConnect/users/browse_by_cluster.asp
AFB CareerConnect offers Career Clusters, an easier way to navigate
government data on popular job fields. The Career Clusters message boards
facilitate connecting with mentors in specific work fields.Currently, the
Career Clusters site covers Law, Education,
Counseling, and Healthcare with more fields, including
Entertainment, Communications, Business, Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), and others, to launch during
the coming year. Users can build a network through field-related
message boards and profile pages within the CareerConnect program.
The Job Seeker's Toolkit
http://www.afb.org/section.aspx?FolderID=2&SectionID=7
The CareerConnect Job Seeker's Toolkit, launched in the fall of
2010, is a free, self-paced online course aimed at people who are
new to the employment process. The Toolkit consists of a series of
lessons and assignments that cover self-awareness, career
exploration, job seeking tools, pre-interview and interview skills,
and job maintenance. As you work your way through the Toolkit, you can save
your assignments (ranging from your network contacts, to
your resume and cover letter, to a list of job leads, to your My
CareerConnect portfolio) so they can be accessed for future use.
Working with Job Seekers who are Blind or Visually Impaired
Last year, CareerConnect worked with the American Foundation for
the Blind eLearning Center to create groups of lessons aimed at
increasing awareness among employers of the types of job
accommodations needed by people with vision loss.
All of the lessons contain sections with detailed content that will
be useful for vocational rehabilitation staff, transition
specialists, and other professionals looking to learn more about
job accommodations, processes, and resources. Visit the AFB eLearning Center
for more information on these offerings.
http://elearn.afb.org/default.aspx
National Industries for the Blind
http://www.nib.org/
Two years ago, the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) brought
a new spin to their employment training programs by adding management tracks.
The NIB now offers a contract management training program in connection with a
federal government university program. The NIB member organizations hold a
number of federal contracts, and the
program provides the opportunity to train people to manage those
contracts. Contract management is a marketable skill that can be
taken to other organizations, governmental agencies, and the public
sector. This is also notable as government contractors aim to hire
more people with disabilities, which means more possibilities for
qualified people with vision loss who have this type of training.
Over the past two years, the NIB Networking Group has worked to
provide great online and offline networking opportunities in the
Washington DC area and has added New York City to the list of
networking groups. Since the networking groups have been popular
and growing, NIB is interested in starting networking groups in other
metropolitan areas.
NIB CareersWithVision
http://www.afb.org/careerconnect/careerswithvision.asp
The NIB CareersWithVision website is the result of a collaboration
between AFB CareerConnect and the NIB. The NIB has compiled a large list of
jobs from around the US in organizations that do work in
fields related to blindness, or that have hired people with visual
impairments. A unique feature of the site is that you can submit
your CareerConnect resume to participating organizations in order
to
apply for jobs. This service requires you to create a free
CareerConnect user profile to search the job board, develop a
resume, and apply to job announcements.
Hadley School for the Blind
http://www.hadley.edu/
The Hadley School for the Blind offers online and correspondence
courses for people with vision loss in subjects related to blindness skills,
business writing, employment, and more. Hadley's exciting program, the Forsythe
Center for Entrepreneurship, offers in-depth information and training for
entrepreneurs who are blind or visually impaired and who want to start their
own businesses. This resource has seen growth and innovation through
partnerships with groups
including the Veteran's Administration and others.
Accessing Federal Jobs
Federal agencies have two job application methods available for
people with disabilities: competitive and non-competitive
placements. Job applicants must meet specified qualifications and
be able to perform essential job duties related to any position with
reasonable accommodations.Jobs that are filled competitively are
advertised on USAJOBS,
https://www.usajobs.gov/
This is the official job-posting site used by the United States government.
There are approximately 16,000 jobs available on the site each day. Once you
register on the site, you can set up notifications for job advertisements
related to selected keywords. Jobs filled non-competitively are available to
those with mental, severe
physical, or psychiatric disabilities who have appropriate
documentation as specified by the US Office of Personnel Management.
The US Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy
(ODEP)
http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/hiring/
This department offers useful connections to resources for self-employment,
youth employment, employer advisement, the latest disability
policies, and more. This office advises the US Department of Labor
and other government agencies on employment issues regarding people
with disabilities.
GettingHired
http://www.gettinghired.com/
GettingHired, LLC offers training courses, opportunities to connect
with employers, career personality assessments, and other employment resources
for people with disabilities.
Getting Hired
GettingHired has recently announced a partnership with HirePotential, Inc.,
http://hirepotential.com/
which will provide specialized training courses for national employers on the
job accommodation process, disability etiquette training, Office of
Federal Contract Compliance Programs compliance,
http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/
tax credit utilization, and disability awareness training for recruiters and
hiring managers.
Job Accommodation Network
http://askjan.org/
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is an online resource for
accommodation advice for all disabilities. The website also allows
users to submit questions regarding special accommodations and ADA
issues in the workplace. JAN hosts webcasts, accessible through
their website, on the provision of job accommodations, along with a ton of
great resources and webinars.
Career One Stop
http://www.jobbank.org/
Career One Stop is a free resource provided by the US of Labor that
allows you to search state job bank databases.
Career Centers
Career centers help people perform research to support professional
goals. Colleges, universities, and post-secondary and vocational schools often
have career centers, and many are available to the public. You may have to
visit, call, or do some online research to
find out what is available to you locally. Keep in mind that many
career centers maintain robust websites accessible to anyone with an
Internet connection, and these sites may offer many free resources
and materials. Career centers are often underutilized, and most are
eager to have visitors. Some receive grant money to offer services
to the community or state, and some actively recruit people with
disabilities to their centers.
Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies
Vocational rehabilitation helps people with disabilities for
entry or re-entry into the workforce. Your local vocational
rehabilitation agency will offer a range of programs, resources,
and services to help you prepare for and find work. The range of programs
offered by these agencies varies from state to state, so research your local
vocational rehabilitation agency, determine what programs and services you are
eligible for, and register.
In most cases, these organizations exist to help you become job-ready and find
employment. Some may also train you in
independent daily living, orientation and mobility, and access
technology. These organizations will also know about other available
resources in your community and state. To find a local or state
agency near you, use the AFB Directory of Services.
http://www.afb.org/directory.aspx
New Resources
There are several organizations, such as recruitment consulting
firms and job boards, making an effort to find talented people to fill jobs and
create careers. The following organizations are just a
few standouts.
Stephen-Bradford Search
http://stephenbradford.com/
Stephen-Bradford Search is an executive consultant search firm that
looks to connect the right person with the right job. Their
motivation and passion explodes through the phone when you speak
with a representative. Their core values are accountability, growth, integrity,
positive culture, and respect.
The firm is dedicated to improving people's lives by identifying
talented individuals, and is known as a forward-thinking, highly ethical search
firm. Its expertise is in marketing, sales, business development, account
management, and operations across many industries, including: advertising,
beauty/luxury, consumer goods,
digital/social media, emerging technologies, and market research
for nonprofit organizations. The management and recruiters come from the
industries for which they recruit, and they are dedicated to helping clients
build their business with people who drive growth and results.
Stephen-Bradford Search is not an organization that specifically
aims at the recruitment of people with vision loss. It aims to find
talented people who are qualified individuals and can get the job
done. That said, the firm does have personnel who are visually
impaired, and if you are working in any of the fields listed, this
is a recommended organization to contact.
Big Tent Jobs
http://bigtentjobs.com/
Big Tent Jobs is a national recruiting firm based in Michigan that
places professionals with and without disabilities in career
positions at leading companies. With a focus on Information
Technology, Big Tent Jobs has openings in computer programming,
systems administration, software development, and much more.Big
Tent Jobs works at a high level with each candidate to make sure
he or she is appropriately qualified and prepared to ace an
interview and receive a job offer. Big Tent Jobs offers
opportunities with successful corporations looking to hire quality
personnel.
At the Big Tent Jobs website, you can search through available job
listings and connect with an experienced and eager recruiter to find out how he
or she can help connect you to your next big job. Big Tent Jobs works with
candidates who are blind or visually impaired or who have other kinds of
disabilities or chronic conditions.
disABLED Person, Inc.
https://www.disabledperson.com/
disABLEDperson, Inc. is a non-profit public foundation with the
mission to reduce the extremely high unemployment rate among the
disabled by providing online recruitment solutions as well as
program initiatives. A primary goal associated with this mission is
to connect individuals and veterans who have disabilities with
employers who are proactive in hiring them. It accomplishes this
goal through their disability job matching system.
Another goal is to assist its community members in gaining
marketable job skills that will translate into sustainable
employment, accomplished through their Microsoft IT Academy
program. Recently, the organization has created a partnership with the Council
of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation and an
alliance with the United States Business Leadership Network.c You
can visit the Web portals at the disABLEDperson, Inc. website or the Job
Opportunities for Disabled American Veterans (JOFDAV) website.
Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind
http://seattlelighthouse.org/
Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind, a member organization of the NIB,
is blazing the path to successful employment for people with visual
impairments. This past year, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind began n
initiative to create and fill 500 living wage jobs over the next
number of years for people who are blind, visually impaired, or
deaf-blind. The organization doesn't just want these jobs to be
within their industry's sector but throughout the organization.
Kevin Daniel, Sr. Director of Strategic Recruiting, searches out talented
people who are blind with positive attitudes. He feels that if he can find a
talented worker, he can find the right position within the organization. Mr.
Daniel is also a person with vision
loss and believes that there needs to be more people with vision
loss and deaf-blindness in executive roles and that these
individuals should be committed to the hiring and mentoring of
other individuals who have visual impairments.
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
http://www.tsbvi.edu/
The Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired should be
recognized for its efforts to be creative and change how employment
preparation is being done at schools for the blind and visually
impaired. The organization is revamping internal training programs, beginning
with a hospitality training program that will prepare
appropriate students for careers in this multi-faceted field.
Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind
The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
1850 West Roosevelt Road
Chicago, IL 60608-1298
Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00am-5:00pm
Tel: (312) 666-1331
Fax: (312) 243-8539
TDD: (312) 666-8874
Employment Services: Sheila Perkins (312) 666-1331 ext. 3647
Contact UUs:
http://chicagolighthouse.org/contact-us
HomePage Link
http://chicagolighthouse.org/programs-and-services
The Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind, another NIB member
organization, has developed a number of programs specific to
employment. They have a call center training program and an
internal call center that has contracts with businesses. The organization
recently obtained a large industries contract, which means the
hiring of around 300 new employees.
Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind
http://www.wsifb.com/
Another organization that is on the move, Winston-Salem Industries
for the Blind has developed a call center training program, call center, and
technology advisory programs. They are continually
developing new opportunities for people who are blind or visually
impaired, including regularly posting new job openings.
Final Thoughts
During National Disability Employment Awareness Month and beyond,
take the time to spread the message that qualified individuals with
disabilities can be great employees. If you're in a position to do
so, open some employment doors for a qualified person with a
disability. Contact your local state agency for people with
disabilities to find out about any awareness activities planned
this month. Your local state vocational rehabilitation agency, blind services,
or community rehabilitation provider would be a good place to start.
Create your own opportunity to expand awareness and education of
the public through offering presentations to your local schools and
community organizations. You may just create an opportunity for
employment for others in the future.
Today's Bible Verse:
Jesus In Your Boat:
Matthew 14:32-33
And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat
worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." (ESV)
Today's Inspiring Thought: Jesus in Your Boat
In this verse, Peter has just walked on stormy waters with Jesus. While taking
his eyes off the Lord and focusing on the storm, he began to sink under the
weight of his troubling circumstances. But when he cried out for help, Jesus
caught him by the hand and raised him up out of his seemingly impossible
surroundings.
Though we may not walk across water like Peter, we will go through difficult,
faith-testing circumstances. In the end, as Jesus and Peter climbed into the
boat, the storm immediately ceases. When we have Jesus "in our boat" the storms
of life are calmed so that we can worship him.
Today's Bible Verse:
Jesus In Your Boat:
Matthew 14:32-33
And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat
worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." (ESV)
Today's Inspiring Thought: Jesus in Your Boat
In this verse, Peter has just walked on stormy waters with Jesus. While taking
his eyes off the Lord and focusing on the storm, he began to sink under the
weight of his troubling circumstances. But when he cried out for help, Jesus
caught him by the hand and raised him up out of his seemingly impossible
surroundings.
Though we may not walk across water like Peter, we will go through difficult,
faith-testing circumstances. In the end, as Jesus and Peter climbed into the
boat, the storm immediately ceases. When we have Jesus "in our boat" the storms
of life are calmed so that we can worship him.
This week's verse, inspirational thought and prayer:
Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his
lips is pToday's Inspiring Thought: Keep Your Mouth Shut
An easy way to keep yourself from getting into trouble is to simply be quiet.
Especially if you are offended, upset, or angry-let your words be few and
you'll be less apt to say something you'll regret later. Not only will it keep
you out of trouble, silence may lend to your success in life.
According to the Christian Register, Albert Einstein considered this to be the
best formula for success: "If a is success in life, I should say the formula is
a equals x plus y plus z, x being work and y being play."
"And what is z?" inquired the interviewer.
"That," Einstein answered, "is keeping your mouth shut."
Prayer for the work day:
Almighty God, thank Thee for the job of this day.
May we find gladness in all its toil and difficulty, its pleasure and success,
and even in its failure and sorrow. We would look always away from ourselves,
and behold the glory and the need of the world that we may have the will and
the strength to bring the gift of gladness to others; that with them we stand
to bear the burden and heat of the day and offer Thee the praise of work well
done.
In the name os Jesus our Lord and Savior, Amen!
--Bishop Charles Lewis Slattery (1867-1930)
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