Business and Vocational Rehabilitation Partnerships

Leah Lobato Employer Relations Specialist Utah State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR) E. 500 S./P.O. Box Salt Lake City, UT Work Ability Utah Medicaid Infrastructure Grant # 1QACMS030319

Resources Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) – Rehabilitation (VR) – –Help people with disabilities prepare for work and find a job so they can live more independently. Possible services:Possible services: –Counseling and Guidance –Medical Services and Treatment –Assistive Technology (AT) –Training and Education –Job Placement –Follow-up Services –ETC.

Who May Be Eligible for VR Services? A person who has a verifiable physical, mental, or psychological disability, AND The Disability creates problems with getting or keeping a job, AND The person can benefit from services in terms of an employment outcome, AND The person requires VR services in order to be successfully employed.

Resources Work Ability Utah Ability Utah

Resources Work Ability CD

Resources Department of Labor– In Utah, The Department of Workforce Services (DWS) – of Labor– In Utah, The Department of Workforce Services (DWS) – –We provide employment and support services for our customers to improve their economic opportunities

Resources Choose To WorkChoose To Work –A service to employers & individuals with disabilities provided cooperatively between The Utah State Office of Rehabilitation and The Department of Workforce Services. –Provided through Employment Specialists working to connect employers with job opportunities to job ready individuals with disabilities

Employment Networks People with Disabilities Network– PWDNET Active business connections built through relationships with employers.Active business connections built through relationships with employers. Employer’s who have made a commitment to hiring and retaining people with disabilities.Employer’s who have made a commitment to hiring and retaining people with disabilities. They are aware of USOR/VR services and the supports we can provide on both the business side and client side.They are aware of USOR/VR services and the supports we can provide on both the business side and client side.

Utah’s Employer Network GENERAL POPULATION PWDNET (People With Disabilities Network) is a resource available for employers to post job openings and for job seekers to find those job openings. The purpose of this network is to link employers and job seekers who have disabilities.PWDNET (People With Disabilities Network) is a resource available for employers to post job openings and for job seekers to find those job openings. The purpose of this network is to link employers and job seekers who have disabilities. Network employers have training and supports to understand how to recruit, hire and retain individuals with disabilities. They are dedicated to this qualified workforce. Job Seekers can be confident the employers have knowledge about disability issues and understand accommodations within the entire employment process.Network employers have training and supports to understand how to recruit, hire and retain individuals with disabilities. They are dedicated to this qualified workforce. Job Seekers can be confident the employers have knowledge about disability issues and understand accommodations within the entire employment process. For further information, contact Leah Lobato at (801) or at further information, contact Leah Lobato at (801) or at

Ways to participate Disability MentoringDisability Mentoring –Promotes career development for students and job seekers with disabilities through job shadowing and hands-on career exploration. –Creates a pipeline of qualified workers from which employers can recruit. –Employers have an opportunity, as volunteer mentors, to learn more about the experience of disability, assist students and job seekers to make career choices and offer internships.

Ways to participate Bi-Annual Employer WorkshopsBi-Annual Employer Workshops –March and September Career Preparation and Job FairsCareer Preparation and Job Fairs –April and October Work Ability Career Preparation and Job FairWork Ability Career Preparation and Job Fair Sanderson Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 5709 South 1500 West Taylorsville, UT Please Contact: Leah Lobato Employer Relations Specialist (801) or Contact: Leah Lobato Employer Relations Specialist (801) or

Disability Etiquette in the Workplace DBTAC Rocky Mountain ADA Center Serving CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, & WY 800/ (V, TTY)

Disclaimer Information, materials, and/or technical assistance are intended solely as informal guidance, and are neither a determination of your legal rights or responsibilities under the ADA, nor binding on any agency with enforcement responsibility under the ADA. DBTAC authorized by NIDRR to provide information, materials, and technical assistance to individuals and entities that are covered by the ADA.

The Vital Role of Disability Etiquette in the Workplace Business benefits of effective interaction Significance of disability focus

Importance of Etiquette Makes good business sense Employees, clients, and customers with disabilities are more comfortable Basic human courtesy Employees work more productively Huge source of new clients, customers, and employees

Disability Statistics 54 million Americans with disabilities 50% Deaf or Hard of Hearing 25% Mental Disabilities 2% Wheelchair users Aging Population 30% of families with one or more member with a disability

Etiquette Basics General strategies for practicing good disability etiquette at work

The Basics Put the person first & their disability second Don’t make assumptions about needs, abilities, or limitations Varying levels of abilities and limitations Create environment that permits people with hidden disabilities to disclose if necessary

More Basics Always ask before helping Treat adults as adults Be sensitive about physical contact Use common sense Apply basic courtesies to ALL people Relax!

Workplace Situations Etiquette strategies for specific workplace settings

Recruitment Etiquette Advertise job openings in disability- related publications Include details of job location Indicate flexible working conditions, if available Require equal credentials of all applicants Include EEO statement in postings

Reception Etiquette Know location of accessible restrooms, drinking fountains, and telephones Use normal tone of voice when welcoming Introduce yourself Offer to shake hands, if appropriate

Interview Scheduling Etiquette Ensure that interview location is accessible Be familiar with travel directions to location Offer expected duration and end time if asked

Interviewing Etiquette Conduct emphasizing abilities, achievements, and individual qualities Ask questions used with all applicants Ask “How would you perform the essential functions of this job?” Be patient when speaking & listening Use location with good lighting

Work Environment Review physical features of workplace and make adjustments if necessary Consider assistive technology available to increase accessibility Make employment-related materials accessible Prepare co-workers for adjustments and changes Allow flexible scheduling, if possible

Specific Disabilities Etiquette for interacting with individuals with various disabilities

Mobility Impairments Mobility devices are part of personal space Never lean on or push wheelchairs Accessible paths of travel around workspace Adjust equipment and supplies to fit within reach ranges When conversing, bring yourself down to eye level Remove clutter to avoid falls

Vision Loss Identify yourself when interacting Notify is stepping away/leaving Offer tour of workplace and allow time to orient to space Provide all print materials in alternate format of choice Offer arm/Don’t grab his Let her know about physical changes to facilities or layout

Service Animal Users Modify “no pets” policy to allow service animals in workplace Ask before touching the animal Generally, do not pet or distract a working animal Do not offer food or treats to the animal

Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Different modes of communication (sign language, lip reading, etc.) Ask individual preferred mode Always get attention Face person and offer unobstructed view of mouth Maintain eye contact Use facial expressions and body language to convey tone Develop comfort in using TTY and Relay Service Consider having staff learn some basic sign language

TTYs & Relay Services Learn to recognize incoming TTY calls Identify yourself when you pick up TTY calls can take longer than standard calls Don’t be nervous. It’s just a phone!

Speech Difficulties Give person your full attention Don’t complete sentences Ask to repeat/Repeat for verification Ask to write down Minimize distractions and background noise Never tease or laugh

Mental Health Issues Again, different psychiatric conditions Try to maintain manageable stress levels Eliminate stigma in the workplace through education Minimize distractions

Learning Disabilities People with LD have average or above-average IQs Minimize distractions Allow extra time for reading, training, writing, etc. Ask best way to relay information Provide written instructions/information Provide technologies that support learning strengths

Respiratory Disabilities Maintain good ventilation and indoor air quality Follow and enforce no-smoking regulations Limit the use of strong fragranced body- care products and cleaning products

Developmental Disabilities Use clear sentences and concrete concepts Treat as adult and allow to make decisions Be patient Allow adequate time to complete tasks and make decisions Provide pictograms Allow time to adjust to change in environment or routine

Hidden Disabilities Not all disabilities are apparent Behaviors may seem strange, but are related to disabilities Even if hidden, the disability is real Respect the person’s needs and requests when possible

Emergency Evacuation Procedures Compile list of people with disabilities who use your facility and update periodically Interview each person and get feedback on best practices in case of emergency Develop plan for individuals who may visit Practice Keep plans up-to-date

Etiquette Resources Publications, websites, and organizations

Publications Disability Etiquette Etiquette Tip Cards Guidelines for Reporting and Writing About People with Disabilities ADA Quiz Book, 3 rd Edition Disability Etiquette Poster

Websites United Spinal Association National Organization on Disability ADA Document Portal

DBTAC One of ten regional centers funded by the US Department of Education Mission –Provide technical assistance on the ADA Materials, training, and direct technical assistance Contact information –Toll free hot line (V/TTY) –Web site –

Utah’s One Point of Contact Leah Lobato Employer Relations Specialist Utah State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR) 250 E. 500 S./ PO Box Salt Lake City, UT

Questions??? Thanks for your time