Job Accommodation Request Survey

Individuals aged 55 or older and in need of job accommodations are being sought for a study by researchers at the Florida State University.

You are invited to share your perceptions of factors related to accommodation requests by answering a few questions about yourself, your organization (if applicable), and your abilities and emotions in the process. This survey will take about 20-30 minutes.

The first 100 participants completing the survey will have a 1-in-4 chance of winning a $25 gift certificate; the rest of the respondents completing the survey will have a 1-in-4 chance of winning a $10 gift certificate. Moreover, you will be assisting service providers and employers to learn more about how to improve the job accommodation process for older workers, considering the fast trend in the aging workforce. The survey can be accessed through the following link: https://fsu.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_eCZp9L0mXe40N0h

If you have any questions about the research study or need an alternative survey format, please contact Dr. Shengli Dong by e-mail at workplace_accommodation@fsu.edu.

Seeking AT users with visual impairment

Interested in participating in an activity to help test the accessibility of a financial website?

JPMorgan Chase will be conducting an accessibility study to test the design of our website and how well it serves you. The session will take about 90 minutes and we will give you a gift of $150 cash for your participation and can also arrange transportation to and from our facility.

To participate in the study, we ask that you meet the following requirements:

• Be using some kind of assistive technology related to visual impairment
• Have experience using financial websites (Online Banking) a few times a month
• Be over 18 years of age 

If you are available and would like to be part of this activity, please call at (206) 500-2709 or reply via e-mail to brian.espinosa@jpmchase.com with subject line “Financial website study”.

Please provide:

• Your name
• Age
• Email address
• Indicate the financial website that you have experience with
• Phone number
• Assistive Technology
1. The type of assistive technology that you use and if it is compatible with other systems or not
2. Are you comfortable coming to our facility for the study and setting up your assistive technology using your own computer? 

We will contact you within the next few days if you are an appropriate match.

OT Students Seeking AT Users to Interview

The second year Occupational Therapy students at the University of Washington are learning about Assistive Technology this quarter. As part of their learning experience they have been asked to speak with people who use Assistive Technology to get their perspective. This will involve an up to one hour interview with one or up to a couple of students. The questions will be about how you received your AT, how helpful it is, and any thing else about your AT experience. If you are willing to participate please contact Sue Doyle Teaching Associate at University of Washington at doyles3@uw.edu. Thank you so much for helping the students understand more about living with Assistive Technology.

Thanks Sue
Sue Doyle PhC MS OT/L
Teaching Associate
Division of Occupational Therapy
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356490
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195
(206) 598 5412

The 20th Annual Governor's Employer Awards Program

The Governors Committee on Disability Issues and Employment is honoring businesses and agencies that demonstrate exemplary hiring practices for people with disabilities through its Employer Awards Program. The Awards program recognizes employers for their proactive and positive practices bringing more visibility to the value of hiring people with disabilities. Our goal is to spotlight the great work being done across the state to raise awareness on the increasing number of persons with disability who have been successful in seeking and maintaining employment.
In addition, the GCDE is also recognizing an individual with a disability who has exhibited outstanding leadership. The Governors Trophy in Memory of Carolyn Blair Brown will be presented to an individual with a disability who has significantly enhanced the empowerment of people withdisabilities. This year, 2012, will be the 20th Governors Employer Awards Program. Winning nominees will be honored in a celebration in Olympia in fall 2012. With the attached materials, we ask you to join us in recognizing leaders in thedisability community and employers by nominating private, nonprofit, and government entities that show, by example, the use of best practices in recruiting, hiring, retaining and promoting individuals with disabilities. The nomination deadline is August 30, 2012. Electronic applications should be submitted to: http://tinyurl.com/2012-gov
People with disabilities are a tremendous resource and we are proud torecognize their many contributions. Thank you for all that you do supportworkers with disabilities and for your participation in the nomination process.

Washington SILC Membership Recruitment

The Washington State Independent Living Council (WA SILC) is seeking applicants to fill 5 vacancies beginning October 1, 2012.

WHAT IS WA SILC?

The Washington State Independent Living Council (WA SILC) is an 11 member council appointed by the Governor. Terms are up to 3 years with a maximum of 2 terms.

WHAT DO WE DO?

The primary purpose of WA SILC, together with the Washington Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and the Washington Department of Services for the Blind (DSB), is to jointly develop and sign the State's Plan for Independent Living (SPIL). Additionally, we monitor, review, and evaluate the implementation of the SPIL.

The WA SILC works with our Centers for Independent Living (CIL's) concerning different issues that affect citizens of Washington with significant disabilities. We also coordinate activities with other state councils and share information about issues that affect Washingtonians with disabilities.

The WA SILC meets four times a year and also conducts public forums at various locations throughout the state. All meetings and forums are open to the public.

Finally, we provide periodic reports to the public and Federal government that describe the activities of the WA SILC.

WHO ARE WE?

We believe and support the independent living philosophy of consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual and system advocacy in order to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities and the integration and full inclusion of people with disabilities in the mainstream of American society.

HOW TO APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP?

The WA SILC tries to ensure statewide representation of members who represent a broad range of individuals with disabilities from diverse backgrounds. 51% of our membership must be people with disabilities. Our membership consists of representatives from the State Independent Living Centers, people living with disabilities, advocates, parents of children with disabilities, community service providers, and the state and tribal Vocational Rehabilitation programs.

We hope you will consider applying for membership on the WA SILC if you have the demonstrated ability and experience to work on the WA SILC responsibilities described above, are committed to the values and mission of Independent Living, and are knowledgeable and experienced regarding legislative and policy processes.

To apply, you must submit an online application to the Governor’s office at: http://www.governor.wa.gov/boards/application/default.asp

If you need assistance or have questions, please email Debbie Cook: debcook@u.washington.edu.  You may also call 800-624-4105 (voice) or 1-866-866-0162 (TTY).

The WA SILC was established under the authority of Title VII Section 705 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, (P.L. 102-569), and WA State Executive Order 93-04 as superseded by Executive Order 04-05.