POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

High school students with disabilities and their stakeholders will enjoy watching this video http://video.google.com/videosearch?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS302US303&q=vocational%20education%20and%20training&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wv#q=vocational+schools+for+disabled&hl=en&emb=0&start=20 of other high students participating in the Postsecondary Education Rehabilitation Transition (PERT) Program at Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center in Virginia. With vocational assistance, high school students learn about jobs that peak their interest. The center provides one evaluator for every four students during instruction of 25 different job families. Students participate in career exploration, independent living skills testing, residential and social skills training and independent and group leisure activities.

Stakeholders of students with disabilities will find this book, Transition to Postsecondary Education for Students with Disabilities, to be an excellent source of information to help ease the transition to Postsecondary Education. The book discusses the transitional requirements of various postsecondary options, including colleges, universities, career and technical training programs, and employment. The cost of the paper back is 33.95 and the hard back is 72.95.

The information in this pamphlet, Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html, provided by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in the U. S. Department of Education, explains the rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities who are preparing to attend postsecondary schools. This pamphlet also explains the obligations of a postsecondary school to provide academic adjustments, including auxiliary aids and services, to ensure the school does not discriminate on the basis of disability.

Speaking of the law, http://www.daytonastate.edu/sds/statute.html this Floridian college provides the following Florida Statutes for persons with disabilities on its web page.

• F.S. 1999 Post-Secondary Education Chp. 240 [240.114(5) and 240.4041]
• F.S. 1989 Post Secondary Education Chp. 240 [240.152 and 240.153]

################################################### Florida High School/High Tech (HS/HT) http://www.abletrust.org/hsht/ is a community-based partnership designed to provide high school students with all types of disabilities the opportunity to explore jobs or postsecondary education leading to technology- related careers. HS/HT links youth to a broad range of academic, career development and experiential resources and experiences that will enable them to meet the demands of our workforce.

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION/TRAINING

Aside from the actual title, Role of Vocational Education in Transition Services For Handicapped Youth, I got excited for students with disabilities and their stakeholders when I found this article http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_pric/is_198500/ai_1561189206/. It provides helpful information for students with disabilities who plan to transition to VOCATIONAL EDUCATION:

• What is Transition?
• How can Transition be facilitated?
• What is the role of VOCATIONAL EDUCATION in Transition Services?
• What are some of the benefits of coordination services?
• What are some current problems in coordinating services?
• What are some exemplary Transition Services projects?

**Select the #2 tab to proceed to the second page to read the article in its entirety. It’s a quick read but full of information.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% The title, VOCATION REHABILITATION: Helping People With Disabilities in Jobs and Careers preempted my thoughts toward getting a job right away. That is the ultimate goal but this website http://www.amputee-coalition.org/easyread/first_step_2005/voc_rehab-ez.html also provides information that may interest individual with disabilities who are seeking VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING. In order to use VR services, you must:

• Be legally eligible to work in the United States. This means that you must prove that you are a citizen of the United States, usually by showing your driver’s license, Social Security card and at least one other form of ID, such as a birth certificate or passport.
• Have a physical, mental or emotional disability that keeps you from finding or keeping a job.
• Be willing and able to work.

After acceptance, VR offers the following Training & Education:

• On-the-job training. This means paid training under supervision in a normal work environment, learning to use the equipment, documents or materials that you will use when you are ready to work without supervision.
• Self-employment. This means having your own business, rather than working for others. Self-employment is often a good choice for people with disabilities. VR can help research different types of businesses, provide advice from consultants, and help pay the costs of starting a business or buying equipment.
• Supported employment. This is on-the-job help for workers or their employers.
• Short-term vocational training. This includes training programs to help people enter the job market quickly. Training can be just a few hours or take up to two years.
• College education. VR can help pay college costs beyond financial aid from the school.

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Individuals with disabilities and their providers may find this website http://www.inspiritec.org/InspiritecOrg/PWD/vocational_training.asp InspiriTec: Inspiring Work Through Technology useful if the individual with disabilities is interested in receiving VOCATIONAL TRAINING in the IT field. They provide training for computer data entry and customer service. Since 2000, they have generated 267 new jobs, 882 IT training sessions to 743 trainees with disabilities, and maintained a 90+% retention rate.

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Resources for Vocational Education & Other Post-Secondary Resources

http://www.fsdb.k12.fl.us/rmc/content/voc.html Resource Materials and Technology Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Technology allows individuals with physical disabilities to have individual mobility with motorized equipment. Unfortunately, keeping the equipment safe may pose a challenge. This is a video http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=disabled+living&n=21&b=1&ei=utf-8&js=1&fr=slv7-msgr&fr2=tab-web&tnr=20&vid=000166437246tnr=20&vid=000166437246 of a motorized scooter stolen from Wayne, who was diagnosed with MS 15 years ago. Four boys stole the scooter from Wayne’s home. The boys unplugged the scooter and took it; they were found in the neighborhood riding the scooter three days later.

In Jacksonville, FL, JTA Connexion http://www.jtaonthemove.com/Schedules/showPage.aspx?Sel=9 provides paratransit service for individuals with disabilities and transportation for disadvantaged riders unable to use fixed route buses. Individuals with disabilities and their families, who are without immediate transportation, may find the tab links to “schedules,” and “riding JTA” valuable. Many UNF students with disabilities resolve their transportation dilemma by using JTA Connexion services.

This paper http://www.abledata.com/abledata_docs/Intensive_Mobility_Training.htm provides Intensive Mobility Training for Disabled Drivers for the Safe Use of Power Wheelchairs, Scooters & Automobiles. The paper was written to assist doctors, therapist, and mobility equipment dispensers to better understand the needs for and limitations of "Intensive User Mobility Training" necessary to ensure user- and public- safety. This paper especially addresses the conflicting requirements that many AT (Assistive Technology) users have. EXAMPLES: a person with severe disabilities, such as a spinal-injury quadriplegic or a person with advanced ALS or MS, is acquiring a power wheelchair for both indoor- and outdoor- use. Or, perhaps, such a person desires to drive an automobile or wheelchair van using special controls or assistive technology. The basic conflict this person faces is to receive sufficient training and practice to ensure SAFETY (his own and the public's) despite his own physical endurance limitations (that may limit the time for each training or practice session.)

I found this New York website http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/fea/20030421/202/355 interesting due to the controversial issues with transportation for individuals with disabilities. I found the archive full of interesting fact that show how slow society moves when making accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Check out the link to “A Decade of Disability Rights.”

Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, & South Carolina Mobility Equipment Specialists & Dealers website http://digiads.com.au/MobilityAids/MobilityEquipmentSpecialists-Florida-Georgia-NorthCarolina-SouthCarolina.htmlia-NorthCarolina-SouthCarolina.html allows families of persons with disabilities to find adaptive used vehicles for sale in the southeastern area. The site is beneficial for families who cannot afford to pay to customize a brand new vehicle. The left tab provides a search for particular vehicle accommodations and vehicle type. Additionally, Mobility Van Sales allows individuals with disabilities to search for vehicles according to their state location. http://www.mobilityvansales.com/used-handicap-vans/florida_vansales.html

SELF-ADVOCACY & FUTURE PLANNING

Self-advocacy occurs when people with disabilities speak up for themselves and take control of their own lives, including being in charge of their own care in the medical system. This post will deliver self-advocacy and future planning information to individuals with disabilities and their care givers. Four Steps to Self-Advocacy http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/disability_advocacy/6244 is an article promoting self-advocacy of individuals with disabilities by making changes in the status quo. The article teaches individuals with disabilities and their care givers to become self advocates. The article suggests following these steps:

• Remove all negative words from your vocabulary to avoid sounding like a complainer or a radical.
• Die to your disability and enlighten the public.
• Stick your neck out and enlighten the public.
• Dress appropriately to make people listen and become enlightened.

Wrightslaws’ website http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/future.plan.index.htm is an excellent source of future planning information for parents, relatives, and health care providers of children with disabilities. The site provides links to information pertaining to:

• Special Needs Trusts
• Guardianship
• Advance Directives
• Medicaid and Medicare
• Social Security Programs

Florida Grassroots Self-Advocacy is a website http://www.floridaselfadvocacy.com/ created to support self-advocates in Florida. This information is useful for individuals with disabilities and their care givers who are located in the state of Florida. Make sure you check out the self-advocacy resources. Key links include:

• Organize local, independent self-advocacy groups.

Network with other self-advocates throughout the state.

Provide resources to give self-advocates a voice in the decisions and issues that affect their lives.

INDEPENDENT LIVING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Individuals with disabilities live in a world designed primarily for the able-bodied. Individuals with disabilities want to live life no differently than anyone else. They want to be able to go shopping, go to the movies, go out to eat, work, and enjoy life, fully realizing that it must be done within their boundaries of limitation.

The Independent Living Movement began in the 60s and 70s. The movement was formed by individuals with various disabilities within their communities; they identified barriers to access and areas of inadequate services. Federal legislation passed in 1978 provided funding to establish independent living centers. The centers are staffed and directed by individuals with disabilities and their advocates. This site http://www.virtualcil.net/cils/query-iandr.php?state=fl list Independent Living Centers throughout the state of Florida. Jacksonville has two Independent Living Resource Centers of North East Florida located at 1845 Town Center Blvd in Orange Park has and 2709 Art Museum Drive in Jacksonville. Disability Info gov http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=118 is a website with online resource for individuals with disabilities. The housing tab provides specific information for obtaining housing. Included are:

• ABILITY House Program-an accessible home built for a family where one or more members have health conditions or disabilities.
• Accessible housing information and news for people with disabilities.
• Accessible Space, Incorporated-locates accessible, affordable housing and assisted/supportive living and rehabilitation services for persons with physical disabilities, brain injuries, and seniors.
• Centers for Independent Living
• Disability-Related Housing Rights & Resources-answers to frequently asked questions about the housing rights of people with disabilities and the responsibility of housing providers and building and design professionals under federal law.
• Ending Chronic Homelessness through Employment & Housing Projects is working to increase and improve employment opportunities for chronically homeless individuals with disabilities.
• Evaluation of Supportive Housing Programs for Persons with Disabilities-fair housing for people with disabilities.
• Multifamily Inventory of U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Units for the Elderly & Persons with Disabilities.
• Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities-information about supportive services that enable persons with disabilities to live alone and independently in the community.
• Shelter Plus Care Program-provides rental assistance to hard-to-serve homeless persons with disabilities.
• Vouchers for People with Disabilities-explains special types of housing vouchers available for people with disabilities.

This video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOF-tAMtpV8&feature=player_embedded shows the fight of a Kansas man seeking more funding for independent living. 31% of government funding is for independent living and 69% of the funding is for nursing homes. He would like for the government to distribute funding according to the living preference of the individual with the disability.

Advocates around the world support Independent Living. This site http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/general/indpndt.htm has worldwide resources. Additional sources around the world include:

• http://www.independentliving.org/ Independent Living Institute in Sweden
• http://www.disabledliving.co.uk/contact.shtml Disabled Living in Manchester
• http://www.officefordisability.gov.uk/docs/ilr-executive-report.pdf Independent Living; A cross-government strategy about independent living for disabled people.

Health & Safety for persons with disabilities and their parents

Health & Safety are imperative issues for persons with disabilities and their parents/guardians. Safety protocol is vital to the survival of many persons with disabilities. I was surprised to find neglect with New York’s Outstanding Transport Inc. bus service. This is an actual excerpt from their web site: “OTI is New York City's leader in meeting the transportation needs for the elderly and for handicapped adults. While some companies use old school buses, OTI maintains a high quality fleet of specialized vehicles suitable for their special-needs clients. OTI's reputation for above and beyond, personalized care for these clients has positioned them as the only company to consider in New York City for transportation of handicapped adults and elderly individuals.” This first link http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/education/91602/bus-matron-faces-charges-of-endangering-disabled-student/Default.aspx is a video of a bus matron from OTI facing felony charges for endangering the life of a student diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The driver was responsible for clearing the bus but chose to rush off and leave the student onboard. The student was found 19 hours later and suffered from hypothermia.

This next link http://www.abledata.com/abledata_docs/DisabledTransport-Safety.htm, Public Transportation, Mobility Aids and Passenger Safety provides topic introduction to the proper protocol for persons with disabilities and/or public transportation operators using or planning to use public transport vehicles. Vehicles considered for transporting people and mobility equipment are vans, buses and trains. This paper is very informative and can validate or contradict transportation expectations of persons with disabilities and their parents.

The third link http://www.disabled-world.com/health/, Disabled World-A Disability & Senior Information Community provides the following information on health and support issues from cancer to sleep disorders for persons with disabilities:

• Services
• Assessments
• Costs
• Mental health
• Male and female health issues and diseases
• Disability health promotion
• Wellness initiatives

This is a valued site because they focus on delivering real improvements for persons with disabilities.

Health and safety for disabled people and their employers http://www.hse.gov.uk/disability/largeprint.pdf has

• Guidance for disabled people and employers
• Advice for people with disabilities and employers
• The law
• How to treat people with disabilities fairly/avoid discrimination

It provides links to information and financial grants to help businesses make workplace adjustments that enable persons with disabilities to enter and stay in the workplace. This information is useful to employers, persons with disabilities, and their parents.

SOCIAL RELATIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

This post will focus on the importance of social relationships for people with disabilities. After high school, maintaining social relationships require more investment work. Most people believe that humans are very sociable beings. At the same time, many would be surprised to learn that some people may not have the same range of friends, family, and acquaintances. There are degrees of closeness or intimacy across relationships. Several factors involve the development and maintenance of relationships. The following five characteristics may pose a challenge for people with disabilities:

• opportunity
• diversity
• continuity
• relationships that are freely chosen and given
• intimacy

This link http://socialrelations.edu.au/MenuBar/AboutUs/WhatisSR.aspx provides an excellent explanation of SOCIAL RELATIONS.

Ability Quest Inc. http://www.abilityquest.org/ is a new non-profit social organization for adults with physical disabilities in Atlanta. They offer monthly activities that increase social interaction that improves and enhances the social skills of individuals.

Disabled Adults Social Activities Foundation Inc. http://www.dasaf.com/ helps to address and meet the social needs of disabled adults by providing a common meeting place and arranging social events where the individual can be given an opportunity to seek out social interactions with their peers.

Modern communication technologies can make social relationships accessible despite distance. The following sites are actual dating sites that specialize in dating for persons with disabilities. The first, Disability Dating Club, is an online dating site with members from, Canada, UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey and Europe; membership is free. The second, Disabled Dating Info, provides sensitivity information for dating persons with disabilities. My favorite tabs are Dating Advice, First Date, and Dating Tips.

http://www.disabilitydatingclub.com/

http://www.disableds-dating-info.com/