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Category Archives: COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Supplemental Current Population Survey on Disability Employment Issues

the white house americans with disabilitiesThe Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy is seeking information from the public regarding a supplement to the Current Population Survey (CPS) on disability employment topics, which will be conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau in collaboration with the Department’s Chief Evaluation Office, and is expected to be fielded in 2024.

The Department is publishing this Request for Information (RFI) to gather information to aid in revising this CPS Disability Supplement and to inform its general disability employment research agenda.

The RFI can be downloaded from Regulations.gov.  Individuals and/or organizations with an interest in this subject are encouraged to review the RFI and provide comments via the Regulations.gov comment button.

Your input is important to the Department and we encourage a wide range of stakeholders, researchers, and disability advocates to comment..

Link for the Federal Register Notice:  Request for Information on Current Population Survey Disability Supplement 2024

Link to provide comments:  CPS Disability Supplement Survey Revision Comments

Now Available: Free At-home COVID-19 Tests for People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision

the white house americans with disabilities

The Biden-Harris Administration has launched a new initiative to expand the availability of at-home tests that are more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision. The tests work with a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone and free app to provide users with audible instructions, and audible test results. Read more about the tests.

How to get the tests:
Order online or by calling 1-800-232-0233.

  • Each order will include two rapid-antigen tests that are more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision.
  • Orders will ship free, while supplies last.

Because supplies are limited, please order the more accessible tests only if you do not have options for using the standard tests. If you have someone you trust who can help you administer the test and interpret results (in person, or through a video platform like FaceTime or Zoom), or can use assistive technology (such as AIRA or Be My Eyes), please order the standard tests.

This initiative complements the Administration’s efforts to expand the production of more accessible tests and work with private sector partners on the development of new accessible tests.

Need more assistance? 
The trained staff at the Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) can provide additional assistance with:

  • Ordering tests.
  • Understanding instructions for test administration and test results.
  • Providing alternative instructions for traditional at-home tests for people who are unable to access, read, or understand the manufacturer’s version.
  • For those who cannot use an at-home test, DIAL operators can:
    • Assist with ordering “swab and send” kits to collect a sample and mail it back for results.
    • Connect callers to local organizations for assistance locating other testing options in their community, including in-home testing programs or transportation or companion support to visit a community-based testing site.

Call 888-677-1199 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern) or email [email protected].

OSERS Issues 2022 State Implementation of IDEA Determination Letters

the white house americans with disabilities

The U.S. Department of Education issued its 2022 determinations for states and territories on their implementation of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) Office of Special Education Program (OSEP) releases determinations each year, on behalf of the Secretary of Education, based on states and territories’ State Performance Plan (SPP) and Annual Performance Report (APR).

A state or territory’s SPP/APR evaluates its efforts to implement the IDEA’s requirements and purpose and describes how it will improve IDEA implementation.

The IDEA details the Secretary’s four categories for state determinations, which are:

  • Meets the requirements and purposes of IDEA;
  • Needs assistance in implementing the requirements of IDEA;
  • Needs intervention in implementing the requirements of IDEA; or
  • Needs substantial intervention in implementing the requirements of IDEA.
  • Part B determinations address the requirements of IDEA Part B, which serves students with disabilities, ages 3 through 21. This year, 22 states or territories met requirements, three states need assistance (one year), 35 states or territories need assistance (two or more consecutive years), and no state or territory received a determination of needs for substantial intervention.

 

Part C determinations address the requirements of IDEA Part C, which serves infants and toddlers from birth through age 2. This year 30 states or territories met requirements, nine states need assistance (one year), 17 states or territories need assistance (two or more consecutive years), and no state or territory received a determination of needs for substantial intervention.

OSERS OSEP will publicly release state and territory APR documents at the end of July on the IDEA website.

White House Office of Public Engagement, Disabled Stakeholder Calls for Disability Pride Month

the white house americans with disabilities Happy Disability Pride Month!

Thanks to all of those who were able to join yesterday’s stakeholder call for Americans with disabilities. Below, you will find the materials and resources referenced.

During the month of July, we will meet weekly to hear from leaders from across the Administration about the work that they’re doing to ensure access, inclusion, and equity for people with disabilities. These calls are closed press but otherwise open to the public. ASL and CART will be provided.

Thursday, July 7th at 2pm ET
Thursday, July 14th at 2pm ET
Thursday, July 21st at 2pm ET
Thursday, July 28th at 2pm ET

Register Here
Full Link: https://pitc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_RudJxj1NRumTQb02gT5dew

Onward!

Emily Voorde
Associate Director
White House Office of Public Engagement
@Voorde46

Upcoming Meeting of the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities

 

Upcoming Meeting of the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities

 

Thursday, July 28 | 12:00 – 4:00 pm ET
Register for the meeting.

The President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) will host a virtual meeting for its members to identify emerging topics to examine in the Committee’s Report to the President. All the PCPID meetings, in any format, are open to the public. This virtual meeting will be conducted in a presentation and discussion format. View more details published in the Federal Register notice.

Stakeholder input is very important to the PCPID. Comments and suggestions, especially from people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, are welcome at any time. If there are comments or feedback you would like to share with the PCPID as it begins to prioritize its work, please share them through this form on ACL.gov .

Toastmasters Speechcraft Course Hosted by Disability Network West Michigan

Come gather with us at a Speechcraft event in a fun and relaxed course setting!

Toastmasters Speechcraft speakers training

The Toastmasters Speechcraft program has designated our team with helping to roll their program into the Oceana and surrounding areas.

Do you have an upcoming job interview? Work presentation? Wedding toast?
Get the speaking skills you need now and the course if free to the public.

Coordinated by: Laura St. Louis, Community Inclusion Specialist from Disability Network West Michigan

Dates and Times: Wednesdays, April 6, 2022 – May 25, 2022 Noon – 1:00pm

Location: Virtual Classroom via Zoom – To register: https://bit.ly/SpeechCraft_April2022 or Contact Laura @ 231.683.9043

This is an 8-week on-line course to build your leadership and communication skills. We encourage people with disabilities to register to support our vision of inclusive communities. All skill levels are encouraged to register for a more diverse learning experience. Each week attendees will learn, present & receive insightful feedback from your peers. Certificate of achievement to add to your professional portfolio.

Thanks to Disability Network West Michigan 907 State St., Suite 102 Hart, MI 49420 and anonymous donor through the Oceana Community Foundation to support and invest in your communities.

If you have questions, please contact Laura St. Louis by email or @ 231.683.9043.

MORE THAN JUST SOAP & WATER!

Students from Fruitport High School recently took part in Disability Network West Michigan’s Career Exploration Camp! The eight-day camp, supported through the partnership with Michigan Rehabilitation Services, culminated in a community car wash designed by the students.

From budgeting and marketing to cash control and community outreach, the students were able to build a successful business that took in over $350 in just two hours! (A huge THANK YOU to Tiki Boiz for donating lunch to everyone who bought a car wash!)

In addition to building a successful business model, students learned valuable work, life and self-advocacy skills. These skills, along with the Social Coaching curriculum facilitated by Pioneer Resources, provide the necessary building blocks for becoming ready to work in the community….and spend money in the community! Enjoy back-to-school shopping with your Walmart gift cards, campers!

LET’S DO LUNCH! Oceana County

CEO Diane Fleser Gourp shot of those who attended

Thank you Oceana County residents, businesses and service providers for a “full house!”

Disability Network West Michigan recently held our LET’S DO LUNCH series in Hart at the Hart Community Center where we invited Oceana County residents, businesses and service providers to meet adminstrators and board members and to discover who we are and what we do in your communities.

We were so pleased to have such engaging conversations while presenting valuable information during a delicious lunch provided by Soup Of The Day Cafe!

 

Our Network News Quarterly Newsletter (October 2018)

Check out our latest issue of Our Network News! If you are having trouble viewing, please click HERE.

VOTING IN MICHIGAN PRESENTATION AT THE OCEANA COUNTY FAIR!

Oceana County Fair Voting Presentation

A non partisan “Voting in Michigan” Presentation by The Oceana County Clerk’s Office will be held in the Education Building at the Disability Network West Michigan Booth.

When: August 24 at 10:00 am

What: “Voting in Michigan” Presentation with a Q&A session

Staff will be on hand to help anyone interested in registering to vote, during fair hours!

Make your voice heard and vote!