Collaborations and PartnershipsInfusing AT into Work and the

							      Collaborations and
Partnerships: Infusing AT into
  Work and the Community –
  The Pennsylvania Assistive
 Technology and Employment
        Collaborative
  Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania
          Pennsylvania’s Initiative on
             Assistive Technology
 2009 Annual Conference of AT Act Programs
                 April 21, 2009
 The Pennsylvania Collaborative
• Funding – U.S. Department of Labor
• Objective – Statewide collaborative to promote
  workplace assistive technology through
  outreach, training, and technical assistance
• Lead partners – Disability Rights Network of
  Pennsylvania (Protection and Advocacy) (lead
  organization) and Pennsylvania’s Initiative on
  Assistive Technology (statewide Assistive
  Technology Act program) (co-manager)
• Outcomes – 127 trained, outreach to 8300,
  training and outreach tools
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    Lesson 1: Form a Diverse
         Collaborative
• Critical elements:
  – Pre-planning with key partners
  – Recruitment of members
    • Disability groups
    • Government
    • Business and Industry



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         Lesson 2: Ensure
         Equal Participation
• Stress the common purpose
• Have “something” to build on
• Generate specific activities together
  – Mutual investment
  – Members contribute an array of resources,
    networks, and ideas to create and execute
    statewide activities
• Write a mission statement together to
  guide activities
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          Lesson 2: Ensure
          Equal Participation
• “The mission of the Pennsylvania Assistive
  Technology and Employment Collaborative is to
  educate employers on the benefits of and
  resources for workplace assistive technology.
  The purpose of our efforts is to increase the
  likelihood that assistive technology devices and
  services will be utilized as workplace
  accommodations to recruit, hire, retain, and
  advance employees with disabilities.”

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Lesson 3: Plan for Sustainability
• Create lasting tools (training materials,
  website)
• Create an identity (letterhead, press
  releases, letters to legislators)
• Measure impact/outcomes through a
  variety of methods
• Identify employment policy and advocacy
  opportunities
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Lesson 3: Plan for Sustainability

• Commitment from lead partners to
  continue to support activities with
  funding from other relevant programs
• Commitment from Collaborative
  members for continued participation



                                         7
 Collaboration: Using the Tools
• The tools we created and how we used
  them for outreach, training, and technical
  assistance
• Materials are accessible
• Most of the materials to be discussed can
  be found at:
 http://disabilities.temple.edu/programs/assistive/atwork/



                                                             8
      Tool Number 1: Website
• Main Page:
  – Pennsylvania Assistive Technology and Employment
    Collaborative: Introduction to the Collaborative
  – Providing Awareness, Education, and Training: How
    the Collaborative can assist employers and others
  – Members of the Collaborative: Information about and
    links to each Collaborative member
  – Resources
  – Contact: For more information or to inquire about or
    to arrange a training

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      Tool Number 1: Website
• Resources Page:
  – News Articles about Assistive Technology and
    Employment
  – Information Especially for Employers
  – Assistive Technology at Work Training Manual
  – Videos (including Imagine the Possibilities)
  – Guides to Assistive Technology and Employment
  – Related Publications
  – Presentations and Upcoming Events
  – Contact
• Share materials – amy.goldman@temple.edu          10
Tool Number 2: Training Manual
• Introduction: Materials for Train-the-Trainer (1/2
  day session) and presenters
• PowerPoint Slides: 30-, 60-, and 90-minute
  presentations (sample agenda also included)
• Assistive Technology Activities: Principles of
  adult learning utilized
• Pennsylvania Employment Resources:
  Materials from Mid-Atlantic ADA Center and
  Collaborative members

                                                   11
Tool Number 2: Training Manual
• Participant Handouts: Workplace Technologies
  for People with Disabilities (Illinois Assistive
  Technology Program), Disability Etiquette
  booklet (United Spinal Association)
• Training Forms: “All you need to replicate this
  training” – customizable flier, sign-in sheet,
  follow-up contact form, training summary form,
  training survey and evaluation forms, letterhead


                                                     12
Tool Number 2: Training Manual
• Additional Resources for Employers: Hire
  Heroes USA, U.S. Department of Labor
  Employment Checklist, Small Employers
  and Reasonable Accommodation, JAN
  Fact Sheets, Principles of Universal
  Design, and other materials
• Recommended Assistive Technology
  Devices from the Pennsylvania Assistive
  Technology Lending Library
                                         13
            Tool Number 3:
           Train-the-Trainer
• For all Collaborative members interested
  in participating as part of the Collaborative
  training team
• Also for representatives from other
  agencies/organizations who commit to
  training others
• Additional session scheduled for June
  2009 in Pittsburgh
                                              14
           Tool Number 4:
          Employer Training
• Promoted by all Collaborative members
• Outreach to Society for Human Resource
  Management, Chambers of Commerce, and
  others
• Pennsylvania Business Leadership Network key
  member in outreach
• Trainings conducted jointly by two or more
  Collaborative members
• Outcomes follow up through online survey tool

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            Tool Number 5:
            Training Others
• Sessions at statewide conferences,
  including, but not limited to, Pennsylvania
  Statewide Independent Living Council
  Conference, Pennsylvania Partners
  Conference (workforce development
  professionals)
• Conducted jointly by two or more
  Collaborative members

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    Disability Rights Network of
            Pennsylvania
• Website: www.drnpa.org

• Offices in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh:
  800-692-7443 (Voice) or 877-375-7139 (TTY)

• PAAT Project Director:
  Chava Kintisch, Esq., 215-238-8070 ext. 210 (Voice)
  ckintisch@drnpa.org (Email)

• PABSS Project Director:
  Jennifer Garman, Esq., 717-236-8110 ext. 327 (Voice)
  jgarman@drnpa.org (Email)
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     Pennsylvania’s Initiative on
       Assistive Technology
• Website: http://disabilities.temple.edu

• Main Office: Temple University, Philadelphia;
  subcontracted regional Assistive Technology Resource
  Centers across the state

• Main Telephone Number: (in-state toll-free) 800-204-
  PIAT (7428) (Voice), 866-268-0579 (TTY), 215-204-1356
  (Voice/TTY), ATinfo@temple.edu (Main Email)

• Assistive Technology Act Program Director:
  Amy Goldman, 215-204-3862 (Voice)
  amy.goldman@temple.edu (Email)
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