Collaborations and Partnerships: Infusing AT into Work and the Community

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Collaborations and Partnerships Infusing AT
into Work and the Community The Pennsylvania
Assistive Technology and Employment Collaborative

• Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania
• Pennsylvanias Initiative on
• Assistive Technology
• 2009 Annual Conference of AT Act Programs
• April 21, 2009

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The Pennsylvania Collaborative

• Funding U.S. Department of Labor
• Objective Statewide collaborative to promote
  workplace assistive technology through outreach,
  training, and technical assistance
• Lead partners Disability Rights Network of
  Pennsylvania (Protection and Advocacy) (lead
  organization) and Pennsylvanias Initiative on
  Assistive Technology (statewide Assistive
  Technology Act program) (co-manager)
• Outcomes 127 trained, outreach to 8300,
  training and outreach tools

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Lesson 1 Form a Diverse Collaborative

• Critical elements
• Pre-planning with key partners
• Recruitment of members
• Disability groups
• Government
• Business and Industry

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Lesson 2 EnsureEqual Participation

• Stress the common purpose
• Have something to build on
• Generate specific activities together
• Mutual investment
• Members contribute an array of resources,
  networks, and ideas to create and execute
  statewide activities
• Write a mission statement together to guide
  activities

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Lesson 2 EnsureEqual Participation

• The mission of the Pennsylvania Assistive
  Technology and Employment Collaborative is to
  educate employers on the benefits of and
  resources for workplace assistive technology.
  The purpose of our efforts is to increase the
  likelihood that assistive technology devices and
  services will be utilized as workplace
  accommodations to recruit, hire, retain, and
  advance employees with disabilities.

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Lesson 3 Plan for Sustainability

• Create lasting tools (training materials,
  website)
• Create an identity (letterhead, press releases,
  letters to legislators)
• Measure impact/outcomes through a variety of
  methods
• Identify employment policy and advocacy
  opportunities

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Lesson 3 Plan for Sustainability

• Commitment from lead partners to continue to
  support activities with funding from other
  relevant programs
• Commitment from Collaborative members for
  continued participation

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Collaboration Using the Tools

• The tools we created and how we used them for
  outreach, training, and technical assistance
• Materials are accessible
• Most of the materials to be discussed can be
  found at
• http//disabilities.temple.edu/programs/assistive
  /atwork/

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Tool Number 1 Website

• Main Page
• Pennsylvania Assistive Technology and Employment
  Collaborative Introduction to the Collaborative
• Providing Awareness, Education, and Training
  How the Collaborative can assist employers and
  others
• Members of the Collaborative Information about
  and links to each Collaborative member
• Resources
• Contact For more information or to inquire
  about or to arrange a training

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Tool Number 1 Website

• Resources Page
• News Articles about Assistive Technology and
  Employment
• Information Especially for Employers
• Assistive Technology at Work Training Manual
• Videos (including Imagine the Possibilities)
• Guides to Assistive Technology and Employment
• Related Publications
• Presentations and Upcoming Events
• Contact
• Share materials amy.goldman_at_temple.edu

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Tool Number 2 Training Manual

• Introduction Materials for Train-the-Trainer
  (1/2 day session) and presenters
• PowerPoint Slides 30-, 60-, and 90-minute
  presentations (sample agenda also included)
• Assistive Technology Activities Principles of
  adult learning utilized
• Pennsylvania Employment Resources Materials
  from Mid-Atlantic ADA Center and Collaborative
  members

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Tool Number 2 Training Manual

• Participant Handouts Workplace Technologies for
  People with Disabilities (Illinois Assistive
  Technology Program), Disability Etiquette booklet
  (United Spinal Association)
• Training Forms All you need to replicate this
  training customizable flier, sign-in sheet,
  follow-up contact form, training summary form,
  training survey and evaluation forms, letterhead

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Tool Number 2 Training Manual

• Additional Resources for Employers Hire Heroes
  USA, U.S. Department of Labor Employment
  Checklist, Small Employers and Reasonable
  Accommodation, JAN Fact Sheets, Principles of
  Universal Design, and other materials
• Recommended Assistive Technology Devices from the
  Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Lending Library

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Tool Number 3Train-the-Trainer

• For all Collaborative members interested in
  participating as part of the Collaborative
  training team
• Also for representatives from other
  agencies/organizations who commit to training
  others
• Additional session scheduled for June 2009 in
  Pittsburgh

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Tool Number 4 Employer Training

• Promoted by all Collaborative members
• Outreach to Society for Human Resource
  Management, Chambers of Commerce, and others
• Pennsylvania Business Leadership Network key
  member in outreach
• Trainings conducted jointly by two or more
  Collaborative members
• Outcomes follow up through online survey tool

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Tool Number 5 Training Others

• Sessions at statewide conferences, including, but
  not limited to, Pennsylvania Statewide
  Independent Living Council Conference,
  Pennsylvania Partners Conference (workforce
  development professionals)
• Conducted jointly by two or more Collaborative
  members

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Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania

• Website www.drnpa.org
• Offices in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and
  Pittsburgh
• 800-692-7443 (Voice) or 877-375-7139 (TTY)
• PAAT Project Director
• Chava Kintisch, Esq., 215-238-8070 ext. 210
  (Voice)
• ckintisch_at_drnpa.org (Email)
• PABSS Project Director
• Jennifer Garman, Esq., 717-236-8110 ext. 327
  (Voice) jgarman_at_drnpa.org (Email)

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Pennsylvanias Initiative on Assistive Technology

• Website http//disabilities.temple.edu
• Main Office Temple University, Philadelphia
  subcontracted regional Assistive Technology
  Resource Centers across the state
• Main Telephone Number (in-state toll-free)
  800-204-PIAT (7428) (Voice), 866-268-0579 (TTY),
  215-204-1356 (Voice/TTY), ATinfo_at_temple.edu (Main
  Email)
• Assistive Technology Act Program Director
• Amy Goldman, 215-204-3862 (Voice)
  amy.goldman_at_temple.edu (Email)