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Innovating Services, Improving Outcomes: A VR Model for Serving SSDI Clients

Presenters: 
Mathematica, ICI, and CSAVR
Date/Time [EST]: 
09/28/2017 - 1:00pm
Description 
As the main source of job services for people with disabilities, state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies have the potential to help people receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) become more independent and economically successful. But recent research suggests that VR services for these individuals could be improved. Although SSDI beneficiaries who receive VR services see their earnings increase, only a small share earn enough to leave the disability rolls.
 
To this end, the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts-Boston and Mathematica Policy Research received a grant from the Rehabilitation Services Administration to develop the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Project Demonstration. This demonstration focused on improving employment outcomes for state VR clients who receive SSDI.
 
Mathematica’s Center for Studying Disability Policy hosted this webinar featuring a panel of experts. The panel discussed the experiences of VR agencies in Kentucky and Minnesota that implemented the SGA Project innovations, which were designed to help beneficiaries prepare for and find jobs with earnings high enough to leave the disability rolls.
 
Presenters:
  • Gina Livermore, moderator (Mathematica)
  • Susan Foley (Institute for Community Inclusion)
  • Joe Marrone (Institute for Community Inclusion)
  • Purvi Sevak (Mathematica)
  • Todd Honeycutt (Mathematica)
  • Steve Wooderson, discussant (Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation) 
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Project 
Substantial Gainful Activity Project

The Reasonable Accommodation Process for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors: Part 2

Presenters: 
Eva Larrauri and Andrea Olson
Date/Time [EST]: 
03/31/2016 - 2:00pm
Description 

Vocational rehabilitation counselors (VRCs) play an essential role in facilitating reasonable accommodation outcomes between job-seekers/employees and employers. In individual cases, the VRC can help build the job-seeker/employee’s confidence in requesting reasonable accommodation. For employers making commitments toward more diverse and inclusive workplaces, the VRC can serve as a collaborative partner to meet those goals. 

Part II of this two-part webinar will cover examples and case studies showing how the VRC can maximize successful outcomes (e.g., number of 26 closures) by collaborating with applicants/employees and employers. Building relationships with your clients and employers may not only pay off in numbers—you may find yourself with more energy at the end of every work day!

Download the Powerpoint presentation: Reasonable Accommodations Process: Part 2 Powerpoint (PDF)

All ExploreVR webinars are live captioned: Reasonable Accommodations Process: Part 2 Transcript (WORD)

The JD-VRTAC is a national center housed at the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at the University of Massachusetts Boston. The center and its webinars are funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) within the US Department of Education under grant #H264A140002. 

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Project 
Job-Driven VRTAC

The Reasonable Accommodation Process for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors: Part 1

Presenters: 
Eva Larrauri and Andrea Olson
Date/Time [EST]: 
03/29/2016 - 2:00pm
Description 

Vocational rehabilitation counselors (VRCs) play an essential role in facilitating reasonable accommodation outcomes between job-seekers/employees and employers. In individual cases, the VRC can help build the job-seeker/employee’s confidence in requesting reasonable accommodation. For employers making commitments toward more diverse and inclusive workplaces, the VRC can serve as a collaborative partner to meet those goals. 

Part 1 of this two-part webinar will offer an overview about what a VRC needs to know about reasonable accommodation under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Participants will learn how to coach qualified individuals with disabilities to facilitate an open and honest dialogue with potential and current employers. 

Download the Powerpoint presentation: The Reasonable Accommodations Process Part 1 Powerpoint (PDF)

All ExploreVR webinars are live captioned: The Reasonable Accommodations Process Part 1 Transcript (WORD)

The JD-VRTAC is a national center housed at the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at the University of Massachusetts Boston. The center and its webinars are funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) within the US Department of Education under grant #H264A140002. 

Go to archive
Project 
Job-Driven VRTAC