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Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns News - July 20, 2022

Government and Politics

July 21, 2022

From: Kansas Governor Laura Kelly

Employment First Community of Practice Webinar Recording Link and Meeting Materials
July 13, 2022

Did you miss our webinar on State Settlements and Competitive Integrated Employment - Rhode Island's Story?

Below you can access the meeting material:
Presentation Slides
Bios
Resource Guide
Recording and Additional Materials

We want to hear from you! Complete the webinar feedback form no later than July 22, 2022.

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Employer Assistance and Resource Network (EARN) IN ACTION

In this Issue: Celebrating Neurodivergent Workers and More! July, 2022

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Celebrating Neurodiversity in the Workplace

In celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act anniversary, EARN is sharing resources throughout July to help employers recruit, hire and support neurodivergent employees.

Best Practices for Federal Contractors

A new online guide developed by EARN and the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contractor Compliance Programs offers strategies federal contractors can use to meet their obligations under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and attract, retain and advance employees with disabilities.

Employer Case Study

A new employer case study highlights a pre-apprenticeship program that trains workers with disabilities for jobs in advanced manufacturing.

Federal Hiring Authorities from a Disability Perspective

This policy brief provides an overview of federal hiring authorities that agencies can use to advance employment of people with disabilities in the Federal Government.

DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT IN THE NEWS

NDEAM Theme Announced

The Department of Labor announced that the theme of this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) celebration is “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.”

Disability Pride Month

July marks Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate disability as an identity and fight against stigma and ableism.

Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

Throughout July, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health is sharing tools, resources and information about access to treatment to bring awareness to the unique mental health challenges racial and ethnic minority populations in the U.S. face.

Disability Employment and the Digital Divide

A new report from the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy explores technological barriers to employment for people with disabilities, including lack of access to the internet and inaccessibility of career websites.

ASK EARN

Q: I know that July marks the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and I would like to organize a training about the ADA for my company’s managers. What resources does EARN have to help?

A: What a great idea! The anniversary of the ADA is an excellent opportunity to ensure that managers, supervisors and others across your organization understand how the ADA applies to job seekers and employees with disabilities. To help, EARN offers a short online training course and a webpage with additional information and resources.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

July 27, 2022, 12:30 p.m. ET
Webinar: Effective Business Practices in Workplace Mental Health

August 5, 2022, 12:00 p.m. ET
Webinar: nTIDE Lunch and Learn

August 11, 2022, 12:30 p.m. ET
Panel Discussion: Workplace Mental Health: Employer Perspective

August 17, 2022, 2:00 p.m. ET
EARN Webinar: Hiring and Supporting Neurodivergent Workers: Strategies for Success

View Calendar

EMPLOYER SPOTLIGHT

Accommodating and Retaining Educators with Disabilities
A new EARN employer case study highlights the critical role workplace accommodations can play in retaining teachers with disabilities.

Professional Development Opportunities from Families Together

Transition ages 13-21 (parents & transition age youth)
Family Employment Awareness Training (2-day virtual) https://feat2virtualaugust.eventbrite.com/
• August 6 & 12
SHIFT Transition to Adulthood (in-person) https://shifthays.eventbrite.com/
• August 27 - Hays

Education rights all ages through 21

Team Empowerment Conference & Education Advocate Training (in-person) https://tecea2022.eventbrite.com/
• August 13 - Pittsburg

Empowering Families Series (hybrid - in-person - Ft. Leavenworth & virtual) https://empowerfamilies.eventbrite.com
• August 18 - Special Education – Parents Rights & Responsibilities
• September 15 - Let’s Talk IEPs
• October 20 - Transition to Adulthood: Raising Expectations Through Person-Centered Planning and

Understanding Your Rights
• November 17 - Self-determination and the IEP
• December 15 - Supported Decision Making

Education Advocate Training (in-person)
• August 13 - Pittsburg (offered as part of our empowerment conference) https://tecea2022.eventbrite.com/
• September 8 - Topeka https://topekaea2022.eventbrite.com/
• October 6 - Wichita https://wichitaea2022.eventbrite.com/
• November 15 - Olathe https://olatheea2022.eventbrite.com/

More information coming soon
Together We Can Learn Conference – Sept. 17 – Overland Park
Parent Leadership Conference – November 4-5 - Topeka

Join our mailing list and receive our Monday Memos https://bit.ly/3jBF8wH!

Leia Holley
Program Director
Families Together, Inc.
(785) 233-4777
5611 SW Barrington Court South
Topeka, KS 66012
 www.familiestogetherinc.org 

Families Together, Inc. is not a legal services agency and cannot provide legal advice or legal representation. Any information contained in this message is not intended as legal advice and should not be used as a substitution for legal advice.