ICED News: State Interagency Committee on Employees with Disabilities

              Interagency Committee on Employees with Disabilities
Rocco J. Claps, Co-Chairman, Director, Department of Human Rights
Carol L. Adams, Ph.D., Co-Chairman, Secretary, Department of Human Services
Paul J. Campbell, Acting Director, Department Central Management Services
Roy Dolgos, Director, Department of Veterans Affairs
Chris Kolker, Chairman, Civil Service Commission
Deborah Johnson-Small, Employee Member, Department of Human Services
Michael Knepler, Employee Member, Department of Agriculture
Elaine Lazell, Employee Member, Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Debbie Primm, Employee Member
Susan Allen, Department of Human Rights
Andrew Barris, Civil Service Commission
Marva Campbell-Pruitt, Department of Human Services
Kathy Day, Department of Agriculture
Gwen Diehl, Department of Veterans Affairs
Katherine Gardner, Department of Human Services
Patty Greene, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission
Christina Griffin, Department of Central Management Services
Tammy Hall, Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Margaret Harkness, Council on Developmental Disabilities
Jack Kanady, Division Of Specialized Care for Children
Brenda Montgomery, Department of Central Management Services
Karen Wordelmann, Illinois Employment and Training Council
ICED
c/o: Department of Human Rights
222 S. College, Room 101A
Springfield, IL 62704
(217) 785-5119 (Voice)
(217) 785-5125 (TTY)
(217) 785-5106 (Fax)
E-Mail: Susan.Allen@illinois.gov
Website: http://www.state.il.us/iced
Note: This newsletter is available in alternative formats upon request.
WORKPLACE TECHNOLOGIES HANDBOOK
In an effort to remove barriers to employment, the Illi-nois
Assistive Technology Program (IATP) with funding
by DHS/ORS has developed "Workplace Technologies:
A Guide for People with Disabilities, Businesses, & Vo-cational
Service Professionals." It is free and available
on IATP's website, www.iltech.org.
The guide covers valuable informa-tion
about people with disabilities and
work including how to make a job
accessible, exploring options, uni-versal
design, the Americans with
Disability Act, and tax incentives for
businesses.
It also highlights specific technolo-gies
for people with disabilities includ-ing
devices that support vision, hearing, manipulation
and fine motor, mobility and balance, memory, cogni-tive
and mental illness, organization, planning and learn-ing
disabilities communication.
This is a great resource for employers, job coaches,
rehabilitation counselors and other interested individu-als
in your area. For multiple print copies or alternate
formats, contact Jane Teeter at IATP 217-522-7985 v,
217-522-9966 tty, 217-522-8067 fax.
ICED SEEKS NOMINATIONS
The ICED is seeking nominations for the 2006 Awards
Ceremony. Awards will be presented in the following
areas:
State Employee of the Year:
This award recognizes a state employee with a disabil-ity
who, despite everyday challenges, exemplifies the
model of an outstanding public servant through his/her
work ethics, collegiality with co-workers and continuing
effort to deliver quality work.
Service Partnership Award:
Presented to an organization that works in cooperation
with a State agency to help reduce the unemployment
rate for persons with disabilities in Illinois.
Candlelight Award:
Presented to the organization or individual that has
raised visibility and awareness regarding the barriers
or issues that impact persons with disabilities locally,
regionally or nationally.
Nomination forms can be obtained at the ICED website
(www.state.il.us/ICED). Completed forms and support-ing
information must be mailed to Susan Allen, 222 S
College Ave, Room 101A, Springfield, IL 62704 and post-marked
by July 15, 2006.
BEST PRACTICES FOR EMPLOYING PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES IN STATE GOVERNMENT
The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Com-mission
(EEOC) has issued their “Final Report on Best
Practices For the Employment of People with Disabili-ties
In State Government.” This report highlights best
practices of nine states that promote the hiring, reten-tion,
and advancement of individuals with disabilities in
state government jobs.
Despite progress made since the passage of the Ameri-cans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, people with
disabilities still experience unemployment at a rate far
above the national average. With more than five million
workers nation-wide and with the unique opportunities
they have to serve as model employers, state govern-ments
can play a significant role in enhancing employ-ment
opportunities for people with disabilities.
The governors of the nine participating states voluntar-ily
allowed the EEOC to review a wide range of best
practices affecting individuals with disabilities who are
state government employees or applicants for state em-ployment.
The EEOC examined state government prac-tices
related to:
• the recruitment and hiring of people with disabili-ties
for state jobs;
• the provision of reasonable accommodations for
applicants and employees with disabilities;
• the retention and advancement of individuals with
disabilities within state government; and
• the employment of people with disabilities more
generally - that is, in both public and private sec-tor
jobs.
State of Illinois
Rod R. Blagojevich, Governor
Department of Human Rights
Department of Human Services
ICED NEWS
State Interagency Committee On Employees With Disabilities
Volume 9, Number 1 June 2006
WOULD YOU ATTEND ICED TRAINING?
ICED is planning a series of training classes/confer-ences
on career advancement issues. These programs
will be offered to employees free of charge and avail-able
through teleconferencing or the internet. Dates
are to be determined with a tentative list of topics to
include:
• Breaking Down the Barriers: Maximizing Your
Potential as an Employee. Presented by Robin
Jones, Executive Director, Great Lakes ADA &
Disability Center. June 28, 2006, 1-2 PM
• What is the Interagency Committee on Employ-ees
with Disabilities? Representative of Co-
Chairs, ICED: Marva Campbell-Pruitt and Su-san
Allen (50 min. includes 10 min. Q & A)
• Tools and Strategies for Success in State Em-ployment.
Guest Presenters: Healthcare &
Family Services Trainers (50 min. including 10
min. Q & A)
• Mentors and Networks: Legislative Advocacy
Guest Presenters: (50 min. w/ 10 min. Q & A)
If you or anyone you know would be interested in
participating in these training classes/conferences,
please contact Susan Allen,
Department of Human Rights,
Susan.Allen@illinois.gov