Job-Driven VRTAC

Connecticut Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB), in collaboration with JD-VRTAC, improved client employment outcomes by training vocational rehabilitation counselors to use Labor Market Information (LMI) to enhance clients’ educational and career pathways. During the past year and a half, VR leadership researched and identified LMI tools, provided staff professional development on LMI data, and created a Career Index Plus training system to help clients independently research potential careers and employment opportunities. This webinar will discuss Connecticut BESB's JD-VRTAC project assessment, implementation, accomplishments, and the planned next steps to sustain program improvements. As a result of this project, Connecticut BESB has increased business confidence in hiring clients.

Download the Connecticut BESB client Career Index Plus letter

Download the Connecticut BESB LMI Survey (PDF)

Download the Connecticut BESB PowerPoint Slides (PPT) 

Download the webinar transcript (TXT) 

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

Over the past 2 years, with assistance from the JD-VRTAC, the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) has developed a 4-person Business Relations Unit (BRU) dedicated to engaging and serving business as a primary customer, coordinating and providing trainings and technical assistance, organizing targeted hiring events, and facilitating a talent pipeline from one of NJ’s untapped talent pools. By providing a range of services to NJ businesses, our goals are to increase awareness, eliminate misconceptions and stigma around blindness, and reduce barriers to employment for persons with vision impairments. Complementing the developing of the BRU was an additional project goal with a focus on business: to implement strategic training initiatives on the use of Labor Market Information (LMI) as a counseling tool by VR Counselors to facilitate greater informed choice by CBVI consumers. In this webinar, Amanda Gerson from CBVI will discuss the goals of the project, lessons learned, and the successes of participation in the JD-VRTAC Learning Collaborative.

Download the Presentation (PDF) 

Download the Transcript (WORD)

Geri Scott, Director of Jobs for the Future; Mark Genua, Apprenticeship Program Director at Philadelphia Works; and Elizabeth St. Clair, Apprenticeship Director, at the Urban Technology Project will discuss the key components of Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs. On this webinar, presenters explained:

• Core components of Registered Apprenticeships;
• How RA's are implemented;
• Suggestions for developing RA models that meet the needs of people with disabilities;
• Key RA implementation challenges;
• Tips for RA program replication; and
• The role VR agencies can play in RA programs.

Download the powerpoint presentation slides [PDF]

Download the webinar transcript [DOC]