# Presentation: 374752

- Atlanta Regional Health and Wellness Conference
- September 21, 2006  Michelle Day and Pat Jackson

**Creating an Effective Center Disability Program**

**Notes:**
Going to look at each Disability Program Requirement

Discuss what the requirement means
Process for meeting the requirement
Things that people in the room are doing to meet requirement 
Best Practices

Interactive-Questions/Comments  from you and feel free to ask questions as we go

First Question-Who can name requirements for disability program (Prize involved)
DC
Policies/Procedures
Data collection
Orientation
Staff Training
Networking/Partners
Accessibility

Give tote bag to person who can name most

## Disability Coordinator

- Requirement: Appoint disability coordinator (DC) to oversee program *(PRH 6: Section 6.11, R7 (a))*
- Discussion:  Does anyone have a co DC?  Are any of the HWMs not the DC?
- Best Practice: Duties of the DC position are shared (usually by a health staff person, often the wellness manager and a non-health staff person, often the academic manager)

## Policies and Procedures

- Requirement: Develop written policies and procedures *(PRH 6: Section 6.11, R7 (b) and Appendix 103)*
- Center review of applicant folders-the center has established a process for the review of each applicant folder
- Reasonable accommodation/interdisciplinary team (IDT)-the center uses a team approach to determine the accommodation needs of an applicant/student with a disability

**Notes:**
Note: Do not have to complete RA request form-if information is provided indicated a disability is possible-process should happen

## Policies and Procedures-Applicant File Review

- Discussion: What are the components of the applicant file review process?
- Best Practices:
- SOP describes staff responsibilities and contains documents to support the process
- Health staff are included in the process
- If possible the HWM reviews all applicant files, allowing many health/disability issues to be recognized
- The CMHC is actively involved in the process

**Notes:**
Log in the file (document dates)
Appropriate staff to review file (document date reviewed)

## Policies and Procedures-RA/IDT

- Discussion: What are the components of the reasonable accommodation process?
- Best Practices:
- SOP describes staff responsibilities and contains documents to support the process
- All center staff are aware of the RA/IDT process and how they could be involved
- The CMHC is actively involved in the process

**Notes:**
components of RA process

Review documentation
Phone/meet w/ applicant (DC or Team)
Discuss needs/past acc
Develop plan
Accommodations in place prior to arrival
Document plan/process (separate file)
Enter appropriate data in CIS
Update plan on regular basis (document)

## Data Collection

- Requirement: Accurately collect and submit all required disability data *(PRH 6: Section 6.11, R7 (c))*
- Discussion: What are common issues with data entry?
- Best Practice: Data is entered/updated in disability data collection screen on a regular basis (at least weekly)

**Notes:**
Use the disability data collection module in CIS

Selecting “other” for specific disability instead of appropriate disability from drop down menu
Not entering all disabilities if a student has multiple disabilities
Selecting accessible/alternate format for accommodation, usually s/b academic/instructional
Accommodation selected does not match what is in accommodation plan and/or student health record
Not entering cost

Overcounting: (are counting)
All students in TEAP
All students who had application reviewed for any health or behavior issue
All students who have a health issue
ESL students
Students with glasses
Students who are pregnant

Undercounting: (not counting)
Students who have IEP
Students who disclose a disability but do not request on RA form
Students who disclose a disability after arriving on center
Students who have a disability, but are not receiving accommodation
Confusion over who is entering what data when more than one staff member has data entry responsibilities
Tell how to have data removed

## Orientation

- Requirement: Include information about disability program during introduction to center life *(PRH 2, Section 2.2, R1 (b10))*
- Discussion: What disability-related information can be provided to students during career prep?
- Best Practices
- DC participates in orientation and discusses and/or provides information (e.g., pamphlet, information in student handbook) about disability program

## Orientation

- Best Practices (cont’d)
- DC provides all students with a reasonable accommodation request form, describes center process for making a request, and discusses how accommodations can benefit students
- Students are provided disability-related training on a regular basis
- Disability-related topics (e.g., awareness/etiquette, reasonable accommodation) are included in diversity discussions

## Staff Training

- Requirement: Conduct yearly disability training for all center staff *(PRH Chapter 5, Exhibit 5-4)*
- Discussion: What are some topics for disability-related staff training?
- Best Practices
- Staff training occurs more frequently than required yearly training
- Informal training is provided when indicated
- DC and OA staff review files of difficult cases as training/learning exercises

## Staff Training

- Best Practices (cont’d)
- The DC (and other center staff when requested) conducts joint training with the OA contractor
- New employees receive general training about disability program and awareness
- Community resources are used for staff training and for individualized training for students with disabilities
- When appropriate, students with disabilities are involved in providing training to students/staff

**Notes:**
Use training materials section of website for ideas and packaged training

## Networking/Partnerships

- Requirement: Written plan to develop and maintain partnerships with outside agencies and programs that will assist the center in serving students with disabilities *(PRH 6: Section 6.11, R7 (d))*
- Discussion: What are some of the agencies and programs that may help the center enhance services, provide training, and assist students during transition/after separation from the program?
- Best Practice: All staff are involved in efforts to secure community resources

**Notes:**
Staff can describe successful linkages as well as resources that have been investigated but did not work out

Develop a relationship with your local vocational rehabilitation agency
Learn about the services the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) provides to Job Corps centers
Network with local disability organizations (e.g., center for independent living, one stop, school system, colleges/universities, etc.)
Develop relationship with outreach and admissions contractor
Involve the regional office in the development of the center’s disability program
Present information about Job Corps to local disability organizations	
Invite local disability organizations to visit center and to participate on center boards
Educate local employers about hiring people with disabilities

## Accessibility

- Requirement: Written self-assessment describing the current programmatic and architectural accessibility of the center with priorities and next steps (PRH 6: Section 6.11, R7 (e))
- Discussion:  Has anyone done this self-assessment?
- Best Practice: Center has involved local disability partners in accessibility process

**Notes:**
Determine programmatic accessibility
File review policy
Alternative formats (tape, disk, Braille, large print)
Sign language interpreters
Instructional modifications/learning style

Determine accessibility of physical plant 
Buildings/facilities (transportation/parking)
Equipment
Modify center safety plan to include general provisions that consider the needs of persons with disabilities and ensure the safety needs of each student with a disability are considered during the reasonable accommodation process

## Resources

- Barbara Grove, National Office, National Nurse Consultant, 202-693-3116 or grove.barbara@dol.gov
- Michelle Day, Humanitas, Disability Coordinator, 301-608-3290, ext. 409 or michelle.day@humanitas.com
- Job Corps Websites
- 	_http://jcdisability.jobcorps.gov_ (Disability)
- 	_http://jccdrc.jobcorps.gov/ld_ (LD)