Strategies and Best Practices for Creating an Effective
Strategies and Best Practices for Creating an Effective Center Disability Program National Health and Wellness Conference April 26, 2007
Panel Members ¢ ¢ ¢ Michael Farias, RN, Health and Wellness Manager, Shriver JCC Marsha Smith, RN, Health and Wellness Manager, St. Louis JCC Kay Bain, RN, Health and Wellness Manager/ Disability Coordinator, Oneonta JCC Michelle Day, Disability Program Manager, Humanitas Rowan Torrey, Center Director, Mississippi JCC 2
Discussion Topics ¢ ¢ ¢ Applicant File Review and Reasonable Accommodation Staff Training Orientation/Student Awareness of Disability Program Accessibility Requirement Partnerships 3
Meeting the Accessibility Requirement ¢ ¢ Each center must develop a written selfassessment of the architectural and programmatic accessibility of the center This requirement is separate from the center facilities assessment that is conducted by an outside contractor on a regular basis 4
Meeting the Accessibility Requirement How To Meet the Requirement ¢ Assemble a Team l ¢ Disability coordinator, facilities manager, and safety officer should assume lead roles Assess Architectural Accessibility l l Complete the Checklist for Readily Achievable Barrier Removal Make any changes that can be made using resources currently available 5
Meeting the Accessibility Requirement ¢ Assess Programmatic Accessibility l l ¢ Complete Center Self-evaluation Tool Make any changes that can be made using resources currently available Assess Communication Accessibility l l Determine communication needs Make purchases, locate resources, and produce materials, as necessary/possible 6
Meeting the Accessibility Requirement ¢ Modify Center Safety Plan l l ¢ Add general provisions to plan that consider the needs of people with disabilities Consult with local emergency services and disability partner organizations to determine any special considerations for persons with disabilities Develop an Accessibility Plan l The plan should include actions completed, priorities/next steps, and be reviewed/updated at least annually 7
Best Practices ¢ ¢ ¢ Duties of the DC position are shared–usually by a health staff person (wellness manager) and a nonhealth staff person (academic manager) SOPs describe staff responsibilities and contain documents to support the applicant file review and reasonable accommodation processes (staff are aware of processes and can describe their role) Health and academic staff are included in the applicant file review process (if possible review all files) 8
Best Practices ¢ ¢ The applicant is included in the accommodation process and a plan is agreed to prior to the applicant arriving on center DC participates in orientation by providing information (pamphlet, text in student handbook) about the disability program and center process for making an accommodation request Disability-related topics (awareness/etiquette, reasonable accommodation) are included in diversity discussions Disability-related training for students occurs on a regular basis 9
Best Practices ¢ ¢ Students with disabilities receive individualized training (e. g. , self-advocacy skills, disclosure) Staff training occurs more frequently than required yearly training and informal training is provided when indicated New employees receive general training about disability program and awareness as part of orientation Community resources are used for staff training 10
Best Practices ¢ Joint training and regular contact between OA and center staff l l ¢ ¢ Resolve issues, fosters “open communication” Center staff train OA staff on what information is necessary and strategies for obtaining it The center has a relationship with local vocational rehabilitation agency and/or other local disability organizations (e. g. , center for independent living, one stop, school system, colleges/universities, etc. ) The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is used as an accommodation resource 11
Job Corps Disability Website 12
Supporting Students with Learning Disabilities Website http: //jccdrc. jobcorps. gov/ld • Learning Strategies • IEP as a Tool • Professional Development Tools/Resources • Webinar Announcements and Sign Up 13
Supporting Students with Mental Health Disabilities Website http: //jchealth. jobcorps. gov/health-topics/mhd 14
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