Under the guidance of an Advisory Committee, which includes representatives of community rehabilitation programs and all nine Region I state agency community rehabilitation specialists, the University of Hartford Rehabilitation Training Program has developed a cooperative training partnership between community providers, state agencies, consumers, educators, and employers. The Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire, established in 1989 as a University Affiliated Program, has been a national leader in training, technical assistance, and research related to the community inclusion and empowerment of individuals with disabilities. Staff of the Institute have been centrally involved in the supported employment movement through published articles, books and frequent trainings on community employment, facility conversion, and the use of natural supports. The Department of Vocational Services of the Maine Medical Center provides vocational assessment, training and placement services to persons with disabilities seeking employment. Program staff have broad experience related to disability and the operation of community outreach projects which help students and adults with disabilities to improve their prospects of being employed and integrating with others in the community.
Training is held in barrier-free sites throughout New England.
The combination of the consortium members' resources and collaboration with other Region I training efforts will provide a comprehensive, interrelated, and sequential approach to training which will result in increased employment opportunities for people with disabilities. All contents, unless otherwise specified, copyright 2000 by the University of Hartford.