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CDHD Announcements

IdahoSTARS Annual Report

IdahoSTARS release its 2018-2019 annual report.

Visit idahostars.org for the full report plus additional stories about the impact IdahoSTARS is making across the state.

Quality Child Care Matters IdahoSTARS Annual Report 2018 to 2019

Summer Institute

On August 5-6, the Idaho Project for Children and Youth with Deaf-Blindness in collaboration with the Idaho State Department of Education and Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind (IESDB) held its annual Summer Institute. This year, Therese Willkomm, Ph.D. from the University of new Hampshire presented on “Creating Assistive Technology Solutions in Minutes.”

There were 45 participants, from all over Idaho, who attended the training at the Hilton Garden Inn, Boise Spectrum. Attendees included teachers, parents, speech and language pathologists, and consultants from the IESDB.

AT CORNER

Job Accommodation Network: Ask JAN

By Jessilyn Matthias

Many of my friends are looking forward to a future of independence and becoming members of our varied workforce.

Finding the right fit of skills and job accommodations is often daunting, both for future employees and employers. Individuals don’t always know where to find employers or how to begin a conversation about workplace adaptations that may be necessary for them.

Enter the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), an international group of expert assistive technology and accommodation employment consultants. These consultants work to match employees with disabilities with well-known companies, and vice-versa, who want to create a more dynamic and diverse work force. JAN also emphasizes the ease with which voice recognition, eye-gaze software, and telecommuting can be incorporated into the workplace to increase productivity and overall company success. Did you know that over half of workplace accommodations occur at no cost or are only $500-$600? What’s more, JAN reports that 75% of users find their services helpful. And, their services are confidential and free of charge.

JAN uses a combination of technical assistance, training, publications, and research to make the best suggestions for clients. They also offer guidance involving the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and self-employment options. Free consultations are provided regardless of company size or type, number of employees, or kind of assistance. JAN also provides one-on-one advice to individuals who are looking for jobs as well as those already employed.

A treasure trove of information and resources can also be found on the JAN website, including an A-Z listing of various differences and disabilities, employment-related articles, and current legislative information about employment and ADA compliance.

I invite you all to take a look at this valuable tool for people with disabilities, or anyone, who is seeking employment. Use these professionals to assist you in the search for the right job or the right employee!

For more information, visit https://askjan.org/ today.

See you at your dream job!

CDHD Collaboration

Blessings of Liberty Community Screenings

The Idaho Advocacy Coalition, Medicaid Matters in Idaho, held community film screenings throughout the summer to engage in a conversation with local legislators and leaders about the importance of Home and Community Based Services. Screenings were held in Nampa, Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, and Coeur d'Alene and attended by 151 people including nine legislators.

Community members attending Blessings of Liberty in Idaho Falls network with each other and legislators

Idaho Falls community members networking with legislators after the film screening.

Cut the Fluff, Teach the Stuff, Effective Instruction

In June, SESTA presented their summer conference: Cut the Fluff, Teach the Stuff, Effective Instruction for Special Educators. The training featured Anita Archer in Boise and Fort Hall and Charles Hughes in Coeur d’Alene (the presenters co-authored the book: Explicit Instruction).

There were 458 attendees at the conference from the majority of school districts in the state. The conference held breakout sessions that featured experts on low incidence disabilities, high incidence disabilities, early childhood, and general instructional strategies. The conference received high praise with a 96% overall satisfaction rating.

Trainee Corner

Several college students walking around display tables.

Palousafest

By Ernesto Montes

Palousafest is an event on the U of I campus for new and returning students. The event brought together over 200 student organizations, campus departments, and community organizations to discuss with students how to get involved in the community.

Being a part of Palousafest, I got the opportunity to tell other students about what CDHD is and what we do for our community. I spoke to many students about our interdisciplinary training program at CDHD and how being a part helps us develop professional leadership skills while teaching compassion and advocacy. I explained some of the work we get to be a part of through projects and events like Tools 4 Life, artAbility, Living Well, and IdahoSTARS; we are able to be a part of a team that is continuously working towards advocating for and with people with disabilities.

Laura is in a olive green tank top and is standing in front of the Boise Capital Building.

Summer...

By Laura Hannon

This summer, I had the opportunity to live in Boise and work for the Idaho Democratic Party (IDP) and the Idaho Human Rights Commission (IHRC). At the IDP, I worked alongside other college interns on a variety of political projects as they gear up for 2019 local elections and the 2020 general election. We kept busy contacting county clerks, reaching out to party supporters, and helping organize events in Ada County.

At the IHRC, I learned to do intake phone calls and determine if discrimination claims have jurisdiction in the state of Idaho. If so, I set up a meeting with an investigator to begin the mediation process. I also studied employment, housing, public accommodation, and education discrimination in the state.

Both internships were invaluable experiences that I’m sure to utilize in my future educational and professional pursuits. I was also able to continue working for the SESTA project out of the UI Boise office in the Water Center. It was exciting to work with our coworkers in Boise and get to know other UI staff in the building. In my (limited) free time, I enjoyed floating the Boise River, trying new restaurants, and exploring on my bike.

A group photo of this year's trainee's in three different rows.

Pictured Left to Right, Top row: Hailey Allison, Ernesto Montes, Annie Myers, Draphne Dryden, Sheridan Meyer, and Cassandra Stone. Middle row: Kat Moffis, Laura Hannon, Andrew Martinez, and Jaquie Baxter. Bottom row: Brittany Hurst, Sav Valentine, Amy Chia, and Rachel Davis.

First Group Training

By Kat Moffis

On September 23rd the Trainees attended the first Group Training of the semester. To kick off the meeting we did two ice breakers and went around to room to introduce ourselves. After introductions Trainee Coordinator, Olivia Lebens, gave a presentation about the DD Act and the AUCD Network. Overall it was a great first meeting and I can't wait for the next one.