Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Council (PaRC) Newsletter: December 2, 2022

Happiest of Holidays from the PaRC to you!

This Holiday Season please show your support by inviting others to sign up for our bi-monthly newsletter. The PaRC Newsletter is intended to broaden the conversation about the diverse issues affecting employment of people with disabilities. Those interested in receiving our newsletter may send an email to parc@parehabilitationcouncil.org with their contact info or fill out the contact form provided on the new PaRC website at the following link: https://parehabilitationcouncil.org/contact/

A Place at the Table: Accessible Event Planning Basics

Whether you are planning an office holiday party, a family gathering at a restaurant, or a corporate event, the time to think about accessibility is before you plan the details. This webinar is an introductory overview of planning an event inclusive of individuals with and without disabilities. It will address key principles and basic concepts to keep in mind when deciding the where and how of an event.

Thursday, December 8th, 2022, from 1:00 PM EST to 2:00 PM EST

Learn more and register for the webinar at the following link:

https://adata.org/event/place-table-accessible-event-planning-basics

Thinking of Picking Up Seasonal Work? What You Need to Know About the Impact on Your Disability Benefits

Learn more at the following link:

https://www.disabilitysecrets.com/resources/can-seasonal-work-affect-your-disability-application-or-benefits

Additionally, the PaRC website's Disability Related Resource page contains many links about Benefits Counseling and various topics Council members hope to be of great use for Pennsylvanians.

https://parehabilitationcouncil.org/resources/

The PaRC website also highlights all of the important work the Council does in pursuit of improving and increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities in Pennsylvania made possible through its partnership with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) along with its many valued stakeholders. The site provides access to information, resources, and documents for Council meetings, Committee work, membership, recruitment, mandates, partnerships, Annual Reports, history, news, Citizen Advisory Committees (CAC), and much more.

You may access the new PaRC website at the following link:

https://parehabilitationcouncil.org/

Want to Learn More About the Importance of Telework and Workers with Disabilities?

Remote work opens the talent pool to workers with disabilities.

https://www.cfobrew.com/stories/2022/11/16/remote-work-talent-pool-disabilities 

“The labor shortage is obviously a huge economic problem, but it's also a big opportunity for people with disabilities.” 

https://news.yahoo.com/hiring-remote-disabled-workers-close-labor-gap-171536921.html 

One pandemic silver lining has been under-discussed: the employment rate for people with disabilities has far surpassed its pre-pandemic level and is now the highest it has been since at least the Great Recession.

https://eig.org/remote-work-is-enabling-higher-employment-among-disabled-workers/

This simple shift in perspective can increase your talent pool by 15%

https://www.fastcompany.com/90813887/increase-talent-pool-diverse-candidates 

More Telework Resources from

the Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

JAN: Role-Play Training Series: Telework as an Accommodation

https://youtu.be/e3doS4yz6Bg 

JAN: Make telework work

https://askjan.org/articles/Make-Telework-Work.cfm 

JAN: Teleconference accessibility and hearing-keeping deaf and hard of hearing employees in the loop

https://askjan.org/articles/Teleconference-Accessibility-and-Hearing-Keeping-Deaf-and-Hard-of-Hearing-Employees-in-the-Loop.cfm 

JAN: Employees' practical guide to requesting and negotiating reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act

https://askjan.org/publications/individuals/employee-guide.cfm



A New Year Brings New Opportunities

Please help spread the word! 

The PaRC is accepting applications for candidates to fill the following categories of representation that are currently open:

• Business/Industry/Labor (2 openings)
• Cognitive Disabilities
• State Workforce Development Board
• Veteran
• Young Adult

As of July 2023, the categories of representation listed below will also be available. PaRC encourages all applicants to apply as early as possible to ensure a timely transition of membership:

• Business/Industry/Labor

If you are interested or know of someone who is interested in becoming a member of the PA Rehabilitation Council, please go to our new website (https://parehabilitationcouncil.org/get-involved/become-a-member/) and fill out an application.

New Resources on Improving Employment for Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum

Learn more about the Mathematica article at the following link:

https://www.mathematica.org/news/new-resources-on-improving-employment-for-young-adults-on-the-autism-spectrum 

Celebrate the New Year

and Celebrate Your Success

PaRC Social Media / Outreach Committee would like to highlight OVR Employment Success Stories on the PaRC website, social media, Annual Report, and other communications. If you or someone you know would be interested in sharing an important employment related milestone achieved with the assistance of OVR services, please let us know. Such achievements may include attaining a dream job, a promotion, an important anniversary of successful integrated competitive employment, or other successes.

Spotlighting the important work and successful attainment of employment that is made possible through OVR services is the foremost mechanism for the PaRC to fulfill its mission. Please feel free to contact us with your information, questions, or comments at parc@parehabilitationcouncil.org