Business and Vocational Rehabilitation Partnerships

Leah Lobato Leah Lobato Employer Relations Employer Relations SpecialistSpecialistUtah State Office of Utah State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR)Rehabilitation (USOR)

1-800-473-75301-800-473-7530801-538-7964801-538-7964

250 E. 500 S./P.O. Box 144200250 E. 500 S./P.O. Box 144200Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4200Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4200

leahlobato@utah.govwww.usor.utah.govwww.usor.utah.gov

Work Ability UtahWork Ability UtahMedicaid Infrastructure Medicaid Infrastructure Grant Grant # 1QACMS030319# 1QACMS030319

ResourcesResources

• Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) – Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) – www.usor.utah.gov– Help people with disabilities prepare for work and Help people with disabilities prepare for work and

find a job so they can live more independently.find a job so they can live more independently.• Possible services:Possible services:

– Counseling and GuidanceCounseling and Guidance

– Medical Services and TreatmentMedical Services and Treatment

– Assistive Technology (AT)Assistive Technology (AT)

– Training and EducationTraining and Education

– Job PlacementJob Placement

– Follow-up ServicesFollow-up Services

– ETC. ETC.

www.usor.utah.gov

Who May Be Eligible for VR Services?• A person who has a verifiable physical,

mental, or psychological disability, AND• The Disability creates problems with getting

or keeping a job, AND• The person can benefit from services in

terms of an employment outcome, AND• The person requires VR services in order to

be successfully employed.

ResourcesResources• Work Ability Utah www.workabilityutah.orgWork Ability Utah www.workabilityutah.org

Resources

• Work Ability CD

ResourcesResources

• Department of Labor– In Utah, The Department Department of Labor– In Utah, The Department of Workforce Services (DWS) – of Workforce Services (DWS) – www.jobs.utah.gov– We provide employment and support services for our customers to We provide employment and support services for our customers to

improve their economic opportunitiesimprove their economic opportunities

ResourcesResources

• Choose To WorkChoose To Work– A service to employers & individuals with A service to employers & individuals with

disabilities provided cooperatively between disabilities provided cooperatively between The Utah State Office of Rehabilitation and The Utah State Office of Rehabilitation and The Department of Workforce Services.The Department of Workforce Services.

– Provided through Employment Specialists Provided through Employment Specialists working to connect employers with job working to connect employers with job opportunities to job ready individuals with opportunities to job ready individuals with disabilitiesdisabilities

Employment NetworksPeople with Disabilities Network– PWDNET

• Active business connections built through Active business connections built through relationships with employers.relationships with employers.

• Employer’s who have made a Employer’s who have made a commitment to hiring and retaining commitment to hiring and retaining people with disabilities.people with disabilities.

• They are aware of USOR/VR services They are aware of USOR/VR services and the supports we can provide on both and the supports we can provide on both the business side and client side.the business side and client side.

Utah’s Employer NetworkUtah’s Employer Network

GENERAL POPULATIONGENERAL POPULATION• PWDNET (People With Disabilities Network) is a resource PWDNET (People With Disabilities Network) is a resource

available for employers to post job openings and for job available for employers to post job openings and for job seekers to find those job openings. The purpose of this seekers to find those job openings. The purpose of this network is to link employers and job seekers who have network is to link employers and job seekers who have disabilities.disabilities.

• Network employers have training and supports to Network employers have training and supports to understand how to recruit, hire and retain individuals with understand how to recruit, hire and retain individuals with disabilities. They are dedicated to this qualified workforce. disabilities. They are dedicated to this qualified workforce. Job Seekers can be confident the employers have Job Seekers can be confident the employers have knowledge about disability issues and understand knowledge about disability issues and understand accommodations within the entire employment process.accommodations within the entire employment process.

• For further information, contact Leah Lobato at (801) 538-For further information, contact Leah Lobato at (801) 538-7964 or at 7964 or at leahlobato@utah.gov.

Ways to participate

• Disability MentoringDisability Mentoring– Promotes career development for students Promotes career development for students

and job seekers with disabilities through job and job seekers with disabilities through job shadowing and hands-on career exploration .shadowing and hands-on career exploration .

– Creates a pipeline of qualified workers from Creates a pipeline of qualified workers from which employers can recruit.which employers can recruit.

– Employers have an opportunity, as volunteer Employers have an opportunity, as volunteer mentors, to learn more about the experience mentors, to learn more about the experience of disability, assist students and job seekers of disability, assist students and job seekers to make career choices and offer internships.to make career choices and offer internships.

Ways to participate

• Bi-Annual Employer WorkshopsBi-Annual Employer Workshops– March and SeptemberMarch and September

• Career Preparation and Job FairsCareer Preparation and Job Fairs– April and OctoberApril and October

• Work Ability Career Preparation and Job FairWork Ability Career Preparation and Job Fair

Sanderson Center of the Deaf and Hard of HearingSanderson Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing5709 South 1500 West Taylorsville, UT 841235709 South 1500 West Taylorsville, UT 84123

• Please Contact:  Leah LobatoPlease Contact:  Leah LobatoEmployer Relations SpecialistEmployer Relations Specialist(801) 538-7964 or email leahlobato@utah.gov(801) 538-7964 or email leahlobato@utah.gov

Disability Etiquette in the Workplace

DBTAC Rocky Mountain ADA CenterServing CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, & WY

800/949-4232 (V, TTY) www.adainformation.org

Disclaimer

• Information, materials, and/or technical assistance are intended solely as informal guidance, and are neither a determination of your legal rights or responsibilities under the ADA, nor binding on any agency with enforcement responsibility under the ADA.

• DBTAC authorized by NIDRR to provide information, materials, and technical assistance to individuals and entities that are covered by the ADA.

The Vital Role of Disability Etiquette in the Workplace

Business benefits of effective interaction

Significance of disability focus

Importance of Etiquette• Makes good business sense• Employees, clients, and customers with

disabilities are more comfortable• Basic human courtesy• Employees work more productively• Huge source of new clients, customers,

and employees

Disability Statistics

• 54 million Americans with disabilities

• 50% Deaf or Hard of Hearing

• 25% Mental Disabilities

• 2% Wheelchair users

• Aging Population

• 30% of families with one or more member with a disability

Etiquette Basics

General strategies for practicing good disability etiquette at work

The Basics

• Put the person first & their disability second• Don’t make assumptions about needs, abilities,

or limitations• Varying levels of abilities and limitations• Create environment that permits people with

hidden disabilities to disclose if necessary

More Basics

• Always ask before helping

• Treat adults as adults

• Be sensitive about physical contact

• Use common sense

• Apply basic courtesies to ALL people

• Relax!

Workplace Situations

Etiquette strategies for specific workplace settings

Recruitment Etiquette

• Advertise job openings in disability-related publications

• Include details of job location• Indicate flexible working conditions, if

available• Require equal credentials of all applicants• Include EEO statement in postings

Reception Etiquette

• Know location of accessible restrooms, drinking fountains, and telephones

• Use normal tone of voice when welcoming

• Introduce yourself

• Offer to shake hands, if appropriate

Interview Scheduling Etiquette

• Ensure that interview location is accessible

• Be familiar with travel directions to location

• Offer expected duration and end time if asked

Interviewing Etiquette

• Conduct emphasizing abilities, achievements, and individual qualities

• Ask questions used with all applicants• Ask “How would you perform the essential

functions of this job?”• Be patient when speaking & listening• Use location with good lighting

Work Environment

• Review physical features of workplace and make adjustments if necessary

• Consider assistive technology available to increase accessibility

• Make employment-related materials accessible• Prepare co-workers for adjustments and

changes• Allow flexible scheduling, if possible

Specific Disabilities

Etiquette for interacting with individuals with various disabilities

Mobility Impairments

• Mobility devices are part of personal space• Never lean on or push wheelchairs• Accessible paths of travel around workspace• Adjust equipment and supplies to fit within

reach ranges• When conversing, bring yourself down to eye

level• Remove clutter to avoid falls

Vision Loss

• Identify yourself when interacting• Notify is stepping away/leaving• Offer tour of workplace and allow time to orient

to space• Provide all print materials in alternate format of

choice• Offer arm/Don’t grab his• Let her know about physical changes to

facilities or layout

Service Animal Users

• Modify “no pets” policy to allow service animals in workplace

• Ask before touching the animal

• Generally, do not pet or distract a working animal

• Do not offer food or treats to the animal

Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing

• Different modes of communication (sign language, lip reading, etc.)

• Ask individual preferred mode• Always get attention• Face person and offer unobstructed view of mouth• Maintain eye contact• Use facial expressions and body language to convey

tone• Develop comfort in using TTY and Relay Service• Consider having staff learn some basic sign language

TTYs & Relay Services

• Learn to recognize incoming TTY calls

• Identify yourself when you pick up

• TTY calls can take longer than standard calls

• Don’t be nervous. It’s just a phone!

Speech Difficulties

• Give person your full attention

• Don’t complete sentences

• Ask to repeat/Repeat for verification

• Ask to write down

• Minimize distractions and background noise

• Never tease or laugh

Mental Health Issues

• Again, different psychiatric conditions

• Try to maintain manageable stress levels

• Eliminate stigma in the workplace through education

• Minimize distractions

Learning Disabilities

• People with LD have average or above-average IQs

• Minimize distractions• Allow extra time for reading, training, writing,

etc.• Ask best way to relay information• Provide written instructions/information• Provide technologies that support learning

strengths

Respiratory Disabilities

• Maintain good ventilation and indoor air quality

• Follow and enforce no-smoking regulations

• Limit the use of strong fragranced body-care products and cleaning products

Developmental Disabilities

• Use clear sentences and concrete concepts• Treat as adult and allow to make decisions• Be patient• Allow adequate time to complete tasks and

make decisions• Provide pictograms• Allow time to adjust to change in environment

or routine

Hidden Disabilities

• Not all disabilities are apparent• Behaviors may seem strange, but are related to

disabilities• Even if hidden, the disability is real• Respect the person’s needs and requests when

possible

Emergency Evacuation Procedures• Compile list of people with disabilities

who use your facility and update periodically

• Interview each person and get feedback on best practices in case of emergency

• Develop plan for individuals who may visit

• Practice

• Keep plans up-to-date

Etiquette Resources

Publications, websites, and organizations

Publications

• Disability Etiquette

• Etiquette Tip Cards

• Guidelines for Reporting and Writing About People with Disabilities

• ADA Quiz Book, 3rd Edition

• Disability Etiquette Poster

Websites

• United Spinal Association www.unitedspinal.org

• National Organization on Disability www.nod.org

• ADA Document Portal www.adaportal.org

DBTAC

• One of ten regional centers funded by the US Department of Education

• Mission– Provide technical assistance on the ADA

• Materials, training, and direct technical assistance

• Contact information– Toll free hot line - 800-949-4232 (V/TTY)– Web site – www.adainformation.org

Utah’s One Point of Contact

• Leah Lobato

Employer Relations Specialist

Utah State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR)

250 E. 500 S./ PO Box 144200

Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4200

801-538-7964

leahlobato@utah.gov

www.usor.utah.gov

Questions???

Thanks for your time