1. Arlene Lugo, Program Director, Connecticut Tech Act Project,
Department of Rehabilitation Services
Arlene Lugo, Program Director, Connecticut Tech Act Project,
Jill Larmett, Disability Resource Coordinator,
Capital Workforce Partners
Oct 2018

2. Agenda Reasons to make your workplace more inclusive Myths & Facts
What is/are:
Universal Design?
Assistive Technology?
Reasonable Accommodations and Common Solutions?
How can we help you?
Resources

3. Reasons for an Inclusive Workplace:
Diversify your workforce
Create an open & welcoming environment
Prepare for an aging workforce
Universal Design works for the majority

4. Reasons for an Inclusive Workplace:
Increase productivity and maximize potential for all employees
Save money, reduce Workers Comp claims
Increase employee retention
It’s good for your bottom line

5. Which of these are Myths?
Hiring employees with disabilities increases workers compensation insurance rates.
Providing accommodations for people with disabilities is expensive.
The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) forces employers to hire unqualified individuals with disabilities.
Source: thinkbeyondthelabel.com/learning-tools/5myths-and-realfacts

6. Myths or Facts?
Employees with disabilities have a higher absentee rate than employees without disabilities.
Under the ADA, an employer cannot fire an employee who has a disability
Source: thinkbeyondthelabel.com/learning-tools/5myths-and-realfacts

7. Return On Investment Calculator
Source: thinkbeyondthelabel.com

8. What is Universal Design?
“Universal Design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design." – Ron Mace (coined term)

9. Assistive Technology (AT)?
“Assistive Technology (AT) device is any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.”
- AT Act of 1998, as amended

10. Cost, mechanics & complexity increase as you move up the continuum
AT Continuum
Cost, mechanics & complexity increase as you move up the continuum
31% of accommodations cost nothing
50% cost less than $50
69% cost less than $500

11. Reasonable Accommodations
A reasonable accommodation is any change or adjustment to a job, the work environment, or the way things usually are done that would allow a person with a disability to apply for a job, perform job functions, or enjoy equal access to benefits available to other individuals in the workplace.
Under the ADA, employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities, unless doing so would pose an undue hardship. 

12. Reasonable Accommodations
BEST Resource is: Job Accommodation Network
Employer Page
Employer’s Guide to Reasonable Accommodation
Workplace Accommodation Toolkit
A to Z of Disabilities and Accommodations

13. Work Hours/Patterns Examples
Flexible work schedule and/or modified break schedule, Use of paid or unpaid leave for medical/counseling appointments, Work from home, Divide large assignments into smaller tasks & goals.

14. Accessibility Features
Examples
Use the Windows or iOS built in Accessibility Features, like magnification, speech recognition, high contrast, etc.

15. Ergonomics / Computer Access
Providing ergonomic equipment can assist employees with current difficulties (i.e.: carpel tunnel) and may help to prevent future injuries or difficulties.

16. Ergonomics / Computer Access

17. Vision

18. Hearing
RCC: Provides live, real-time text streamed captions to any internet-connected computer, laptop, or mobile device to allow people who are deaf or hard of hearing to participate in conference calls, webinars, or in person meetings with multiple individuals at no cost to the
Employer.

19. Concentration / Distraction

20. Notetaking
Livescribe Pen

21. AT Services Evaluation of need Device Trials
Designing, customizing, fitting, adapting the AT device
Training & Follow up
Maintenance or Repair

22. Questions & Scenarios

23. What is the Connecticut Tech Act Project?
Our Mission is to increase independence and improve the lives of individuals with disabilities through increased access to Assistive Technology for work, school and community living.

24. What is the Connecticut Tech Act Project?
AT Demonstration Centers
AT Lending
AT Recycling
AT Financial Loan
Training & Technical Assistance

25. No-Cost Hiring Events (Recruitments) in your local AJC
The American Job Center(AJC) system is a partnership of organizations, working as a team, to promote a universal approach to providing effective workforce assistance to job seekers and businesses. This collaboration of state, regional and local organization is designed to provide a seamless delivery system of programs and services.
V Free Job Postings & Search for Candidates
No-Cost Hiring Events (Recruitments) in your local AJC
May be initiatives in your region
Meet your local Business Service Representative to learn more!

26. Resources Thinkbeyondthelabel.com
Resources to help “Evolve your workforce.”
Job Accommodation Network:
ADA information for employers and individuals
Windows Accessibility Features:
Mac OS Accessibility Guide:

27. Resources RCC: www.relayconnecticut.com/rcc
US EEOC:
PEAT Works - Self directed Training Curriculum:
RCC:
Sorenson:

28. Apps Text Grabber https://www.textgrabber.pro/en/
Flip Writer:
Mindfulness app:
Nosili app for iOS:
Noteability app:

29. Contact Arlene.Lugo@ct.gov 860-424-4881 @CTtechact www.CTtechact.com