Outcomes is published three times a year by the Region VI CRP-RCEP located at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. Linda Holloway Editor Ashley Thomas Assistant Editor Marcy Haag Program Coordinator Margaret J. Cortez Layout & Design For more information, story ideas or to request additional copies, contact: Linda Holloway University of North Texas Region VI CRP-RCEP PO Box 311456 Denton, TX 76203-1456 940/565-4000 Networking for Employment Outcomes OutcomesOutcomesVol. 3 No. 2 Region VI CRP-RCEP Fall 2002 Visit Our Website The University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) and the Region VI CRPRCEP at the University of North Texas (UNT) received a grant from the Rehabilitation Services Administration to increase the capacity of community rehabilitation programs that serve individuals with disabilities from predominantly Hispanic populations. The grant period officially started October 1, 2002 and runs for 3 years. In addition to researching effective delivery models from other systems, the project will be involved in developing surveys and conducting focus groups to design strategies that increase the number of Hispanic consumers who access services, as well as the capacity of the programs to provide effective services. The Region VI CRP-RCEP will be involved in identifying CRPs that have a history of UNT PARTNERS WITH UT-PAN AM TO ADDRESS HISPANIC NEEDS providing effective services to Hispanic consumers. The partnership between the two universities builds on the strengths of both. The University of Texas-Pan American is ranked 2nd nationally in total Hispanic enrollment and houses the Center for Hispanic Resources in Rehabilitation. It has a strong track record of providing technical assistance to Hispanic -serving institutions and community rehabilitation programs to facilitate the inclusion of Hispanics with disabilities into society. The Region VI CRP-RCEP has strong ties to CRPs regionally and nationally and has a commitment of outreach to underserved populations. If you are interested in participating in the project, please contact Linda Holloway at 940/ 565-4000, or Tom Shefcik at 956/316-7036. With more than 30 million people living in the United States who speak a language other than English, the need for interpretation services has never been greater. In Region VI alone, two states boast Spanish-speaking populations in excess of 25% -- “aye caramba!” What do you do when you and your client speak different languages? Contact InterLingua Medical Interpretation Services. Based in Houston, Texas, InterLingua understands the importance of clear communication and understanding, especially in the professional arena. That is why they specialize in providing interpreters who are proficient not just in a foreign language, but in the medical and legal terminology of that language as well. And they are on call 24hours a day. In addition to providing translation services, InterLingua also provides consumers and clients with state-of-the- art communication devices such as cordless phones equipped with headsets designed for use by both the clinician and the client. Over the phone and on site demonstrations, as well as pilot programs are available. Contact information: INTERLINGUA MEDICAL INTERPRETATION 17300 El Camino Real Suite 110 Houston, TX 77058 Ph: 800-219-5871 Fax: 281-480-1650 INTERLINGUA MEDICAL INTERPRETATION MAJOR PROJECT ACTIVITIES Q Identify barriers that inhibit Hispanic consumers from fully benefiting from VR services Q Identify effective practice models for improving service provision to Hispanic consumers Q Design strategies that increase the number of Hispanic individuals effectively served by CRPs Q Provide training to CRPs on diversity issues and effective practice models Q Disseminate information about the project Community Rehabilitation Program F E A T U R E D Did you know that... pAbout 75% of children who received assistive technology were able to remain in a regular classroom and about 45% were able to reduce schoolrelated services. pAbout 62% of working-age persons were able to The Assistive Technology Act (ATA) of 1998 established a grant program that provides federal funding for programs that address the assistive technology needs of people with disabilities. Under the ATA, all states and territories are eligible to receive funding for 10 years. What does this mean for people with disabilities and for the CRPs that serve them? It means help is available to create independence for your clients, expanding their employment opportunities. In Region VI the ATA has established permanent and comprehensive statewide programs of technology-related assistance. For more information on the assistive technology program in your state, contact: reduce dependency on their family and 58% were able to reduce dependence on paid assistance. pAbout 80% of older persons were able to reduce their dependence on others and about half were able to avoid entering a nursing home. pAbout 90% of employed persons reported that assistive technology helped them to work faster or better, 83% indicated they earned more money, and 67% reported that assistive technology helped them to obtain employment (NCD, 1993). ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOSTERS INDEPENDENCE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY CAREER & RECOVERY RESOURCES PROJECTS WITH INDUSTRY PARTNERS FOR EMPLOYMENT SUCCESS “Meaningful and relevant employment is at the heart of a full and dignified life.” This quote from a Career and Recovery Resources (CRR) publication captures the mission, vision, goals, activities and successes of this multiservice community rehabilitation program based in Houston, Texas. CRR has been helping people identify and overcome barriers to employment since 1945 through a variety of programs. Their Employment Services division’s Projects With Industry (PWI) came on board in the early 1990’s. PWI targets the specific employment needs of people with disabilities and, under the direction of their Business Advisory Council, builds partnerships between local businesses and the rehabilitation community, enhancing employment outcomes for this traditionally untapped labor source. How do they do it? Two Job Fairs a year, two Inner- City Resources Meetings a year, membership in a variety of associations involved in employment and partnerships with local businesses and business networks. One of those associations, Opportunities and Productive Employment Network (OPEN), co-sponsored this year’s Job Fair which attracted 507 attendees and resulted in 130 scheduled interviews. The Inner-City Resources Meetings are designed to put the disability community directly in touch with agencies, all under one roof. Here, people with disabilities can find answers to a variety of questions including how to talk to your doctor, what services are available from the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, how employment affects Social Security as well as information about Texas Rehabiliation Commission’s services. Other activities between CRR and OPEN involve the professional development of its member organizations through workshops and seminars that address current trends in job development, handling difficult cases, staying motivated, and avoiding burnout. In fact, the employment efforts at CRR/PWI are so extensive that their visibility in the community is hard to miss. When any occasion arises in Houston where people are needed for employment, Robbie Arrington, Program Coordinator for PWI and Vice Chairperson of OPEN says, “we’ll be there!” She doesn’t miss an opportunity to promote people with disabilities or CRR/PWI. CRR has received numerous awards and recognition. In April the City of Houston presented CEO Vernus Swisher with the Mayor’s Disability Advocate of the Year Award for 2002 citing the organization’s dedicated service to individuals with disabilities. Recently, Arrington was appointed by Mayor Lee Brown to serve on Houston’s Commission on Disabilities. She has also received recognition for her “outstanding contribution” to the success of the Mayor’s first-ever Town Hall Meeting for Citizens with Disabilities. Ms. Robbie Arrington Program Coordinator Career and Recovery Resources Projects With Industry 1475 West Gray Houston, TX 77019 713/751-7974 www.careerandrecovery.org For more information, contact: Arkansas: ICAN (Increasing Capabilities Access Network) http://www.arkansas-ican.org/ Louisiana: LATAN (Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network) http://www.latan.org/ New Mexico: NMTAP (New Mexico Technology Assistance Program) http://www.nmtap.com/ Oklahoma: ABLE Tech (Assisting Brighter Living with Enabling Technology) http://okabletech.okstate.edu/ Texas: Texas Technology Access Project http://tatp.edb.utexas.edu/ The Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) has a Technical Assistance Project funded by the ATA. This project provides consultation, training, and information to states for their efforts to provide access to and funding for assistive technology. For more information on assistive technology, visit the RESNA website at: www.resna.org C E L E B R A T I N G R E G I O N V I PEOPLE OKLAHOMA DRS WINS INTERNATIONAL AWARD The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (OKDRS) won the “Notable Document” award for its Disability Resource Guide, a 950page volume of program descriptions and contact information designed to help Oklahomans solve disability-related problems. The award was conferred by a committee of representatives from the American Library Association Government Documents Round Table and the Journal of Government Information. The Oklahoma Disability Resource Guide contains information in sixteen broad categories including Accessibility and Assistive Technology, Employment, Health and Mental Health, Support Groups, and Transportation. Subsections within each category contain specific contact information on a variety of programs that assist people with disabilities. The Disability Resource Guide is featured on the ADVISORY COMMITTEE CORNER of Career & Recovery Resources was appointed to serve on the Houston Commission on Disabilities by Mayor Lee Brown. The commission advises the mayor and other City Hall officials, including the director of the office of disabilities, on issues pertaining to the full spectrum of needs, rights, and privileges of people with disabilities. Advisory Committee member Allen, Director of the Louisiana Center for the Blind, also presented at Employment ConferD. C. Her topic covered and Employment Project sponsored by the Louisiana Center for the Blind. In addition to her Recovery Resources in Houston, Region VI , also found time to present at the 2002 Disability & Employment Conference in August. Her topic for the conference, held in Washington, DC, was tions Center and Robbie Arrington Region VI CRP-RCEP Pamela D. the 2002 Disability & ence in Washington, the Summer Training duties at Career & CRP-RCEP Advisory Committee member, Robbie Arringtonon the TelecommunicaProjects With Industry. OKDRS website at: www.okrehab.org CHRIS YOUNG RETIRES FROM UNT Christine Young, affectionately known as Miss severity of the disability, a person IS employable Magnolia, officially retired from the University of given appropriate supports. Thanks North Texas August 31, 2002. However, she will It is estimated that Chris has trained literally continue to join her long-time partner Jim Humes thousands of job coaches, employment specialists, in their Certificate in Employment and college students. Known for Chris for all Services Training on a contract basis her “Velvet Fist” approach while for the next year. training, she is perhaps best rememyour efforts, Chris joined the University in 1987 care, and bered for the phrase, “You are such and served in a number of capacities special people!” and for her rapier during her tenure, all relating to the dedication. employment of persons with disabili- ties. Prior to her work at North Texas, Chris served as a Research Associate at Texas Tech University and the New Mexico School for the wit and quick quips. For those who know her, she is remembered both personally and professionally as a truly caring person, one who would go far above and beyond. We’ll miss Visually Handicapped. Chris tells us that she will likely pursue some Chris’ passion has been, and remains, supported political office in her beloved City of Tioga as well you! employment. She was literally on the cutting edge as devote far more time to her extended family of this effort and has remained a loyal steward and her second passion: fishing. never wavering from her belief that, despite the Region VI CRP-RCEP PO Box 311456 Denton, TX 76203-1456 This project is in part supported under a grant from the Department of Education. However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education and endorsement by the Federal Government should not be assumed. If you have news for Outcomes, e-mail Ashley Thomas at ashley@unt.edu Meeting the continuing education needs of community rehabilitation providers 2002/2003S CHEDULE OF EVENTS November S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 January 2003 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 December S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 February S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 · November 5-6 -Supported Employment Basic Skills Clinic, Tyler, TX. Contact Jim Hanophy, 940/565-4000 · November 5-7 - Certificate in Employment Services, Session I, Hot Springs, AR. Contact Jim Humes, 940/565-4000 · November 19-20 -Supported Employment Basic Skills Clinic, San Antonio, TX. Contact Jim Hanophy, 940/565-4000 · November 19-21 -Certificate in Employment Services, Session II, Baton Rouge, LA. Contact Jim Humes, 940/565-4000 · December 10-12 - Certificate in Employment Services, Session II, Hot Springs, AR. Contact Jim Humes, 940/565-4000 · January 28-30 - Certificate in Employment Services, Session I, Austin, TX. Contact Jim Humes, 940/565-4000 · February 13-16 - 3rd Annual National Rehabilitation Educators Conference (NCRE), Tucson, AZ · February 25-27 - Certificate in Employment Services, Session II, Austin, TX. Contact Jim Humes, 940/565-4000