The United States Department of Education's

Rehabilitation Services Administration,

***The Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation,***

***The National Organization of Rehabilitation Partners, and***

### 

###  The George Washington University Regional Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program, 

### 

### Proudly Announce the 

######## *National Employment Conference*

**2004**

*[The VR-Business Partnership]{.smallcaps}*

[August 16-18, 2004]{.smallcaps}

[J.W. Marriott Hotel]{.smallcaps}

[1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW]{.smallcaps}

[Washington, DC 20004]{.smallcaps}

**call for presenters**

**[Application Deadline: May 30, 2004]{.underline}**

***[CONFERENCE PURPOSE]{.underline}***

**"Employment and DisAbility 2004: The VR -- Business Partnership" will
bring business together with public Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
leaders and specialists in the areas of employer development, business
relations and job placement. Through interactive training and focused
planning sessions with employers, conferees will develop strategies to
enhance high quality employment and career opportunities for individuals
with disabilities through engaging employers to draw upon this largely
untapped resource to meet their employment needs. The conference will
focus on the strategic development of VR\'s national network that
provides qualified job candidates and employment services to business.**

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***[NOMINATION INSTRUCTIONS]{.underline}***

Please see the attached nomination instructions to develop and submit
your effective partnership for presentation at the conference. The
Planning Committee will select partnerships for presentation, and
presenters will be provided 75 minutes, of which it is expected that 15
minutes will be allowed for a question and answer period. Sessions will
be repeated to ensure that conferees have the opportunity to attend most
presentations.

**[*FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT*:]{.underline}**

# Ms. Jenn Rigger

***2004 National Employment Conference***

***Rehabilitation Services Administration***

***330 C Street, SW, Room 3218***

***Washington, DC 20202-2735***

***(202) 260-2179 (voice)***

***(800) 877-8339 (TTY)***

***(202) 205-9340 (Fax)***

***jenn.rigger@ed.gov (e-mail)***

The Rehabilitation Services Administration invites nominations of
employer development partnerships initiated by State Vocational
Rehabilitation Agencies. The partnerships must be demonstrated effective
in achieving high quality employment outcomes for individuals with
disabilities, innovative in their approach to business or working with
unique industries, and replicable in other areas of the country. Those
agencies that have developed their partnerships with cooperating
entities such as Projects with Industry, Community Rehabilitation
Programs, Workforce Development Systems or One-Stop Centers, and
Training Projects are also encouraged to nominate. We hope that you will
invite your employer partners to participate in the presentation.
Partnerships will be presented at the national conference to be held
August 16 - 18, 2004, at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Washington, DC.

Presenters will be expected to make the description of their
partnerships and other materials they distribute available in alternate
formats (Braille, large print, computer disk). Presenters are expected
to cover the costs of their participation in the conference.

Nominations for presentations should clearly address the theme areas and
questions above and should include the other information called for in
the application. Invitations will be extended to programs based on the
overall success of the partnership, considering the three main criteria
of effectiveness, innovation, and replicability. The selection committee
may also contact references listed in the nomination application to
determine that the partnership meets the criteria

**[NOMINATION APPLICATION]{.underline}**

***Name of Lead Presenter:***

***Title of Partnership:***

***Contact Person:***

***Telephone:***

***Fax:***

***Address:***

***E-mail Address:***

***[NARRATIVE]{.underline}***

Please provide a brief narrative to describe the partnership, addressing
core themes and answering the core questions listed above. The narrative
should also address the following broad selection criteria;
effectiveness, innovation, and replicability. The narrative should not
exceed three double-spaced pages using 12-point font or larger and
standard margins.

The application, including the description of the partnership, should be
e-mailed (or mailed) to Jenn Rigger at the address above. Electronic
transmissions are preferred. Nominees selected for presentation will be
notified no later than June 30, 2004.