Featured Webinar on Employment Presented by Chaz Kellem, Diversity Manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates

Ready to start your job search?  You've come to the right place for information.  Listen to Chaz Kellem, Diversity Manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates as he walks through several ways to find a job. 

In this 25 minute presentation, specifically targeted to the youth, they will learn:

• Why it is important to be their own advocate
   
• Job search strategies
   
• Employment tips
   
• The power of networking

Click here to register and view the webinar.

Please take a few minutes to look through all of the categories and register for any and all that are of interest to you.  Begin gaining valuable information today by clicking here.
 
For additional information on webinars, please contact Joyce Brandon at (412) 995-5000 x513 or email at: jbrandon@achieva.info.

From United Cerebral Palsy

Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are some of the most vulnerable Medicaid recipients.  Individuals with I/DD make up just over one percent of all Medicaid recipients, but utilize 10 percent of Medicaid spending.

Medicaid is the safety net program that can assist in supporting individuals with I/DD with their acute and long-term care service needs.  The Case for Inclusion 2011 uses data and outcomes to clearly show where states' Medicaid programs are performing well and where improvement is needed.

Current state fiscal budget deficits are also forcing new debates about closing costly state-run facilities of isolation in Colorado, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

This report is intended to help advocates and policymakers understand:

• How their state performs overall in serving individuals with I/DD; 
   
• What services and outcomes need attention and improvement in their state; and  
   
• Which states are top performers in key areas, so that advocates and officials in those top performing states can be a resource for those desiring to improve.

Click here to download The Case for Inclusion 2011, An Analysis of Medicad for Americans with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

If you thought the iPad was only good for Twitter and games like "Fruit Ninja," think again.  A local couple, Ted and Audrey Conley, developed several iPad applications to help children and adults with disabilities communicate.

The couple started TapSpeak, LLC, with their three year old son, Pierce, in mind.  Pierce has cerebral palsy, cortical vision impairment and is unable to speak.

After realizing a gap in the communication device market for simple and affordable devises for nonverbal young children just learning to  communicate, Ted, who has 25 years experience in software development, created a series of iPad applications designed to be used in speech therapy sessions.

To read the entire artlcle, please click here.  For product descriptions and user guides for TapSpeak, visit www.tapspeak.com.

              ~ Article written by Lexie Bond, mtlwriter@mtlebanon.org in here&now

From The Arc of the Unites States

Be sure to remind employers in your community that there are valuable tax incentives for private businesses that employ people with disabilities. The Targeted Jobs Tax Credit ranges from $250 to more than $10,000.
 

President Obama recently directed the federal government to become a model for the employment of individuals with disabilities.  As part of the federal campaign, the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) offers hiring guidelines.

Click here to get the full checklist.  Circulate it to encourage employers to take their tax credit and by providing opportunities.

From The Arc of the United States

On Thursday, May 12th, The Arc is proud to co-host the nationwide screening of a new film, Wretches & Jabberers, which follows two men with autism who embark on a global journey to change attitudes about disability, intelligence and communication.

Self-advocates, Tracy Thresher and Larry Bissonnette's travels are chronicled by Academy Award-winning director Gerardine Wurzburg and we don't want you to miss an opportunity to see it!

To meet the demand to see the film after its initial screenings in April, a nationwide theatrical screening event was born - "CITIES. ONE NIGHT FOR AUTISM." On Thursday, May 12th at 7:30 p.m., Wretches & Jabberers will be playing in 100 cities - probably one in your backyard - all to raise awareness about autism.

To find out where this film is playing near you, to purchase advance tickets or for more information, visit www.wretchesandjabberers.org.

Do you have a child who has participated in the Pennsylvania Alternate System Assessment (PASA)?  Would you like to impact the way PASA score reports are presented to families?  You can make a difference in just 15 minutes.

My dissertation research is working with the PASA Project on a study to understand how student results can be reported to parents. The results of the study will be used to inform the design of PASA score reports and to improve opportunities for parents to collaborate in educational planning.

Participation will consist of a 15 minute interview, conducted via telephone or in person.  All responses will remain confidential.

If you are interested in participating in this study or would like to receive more information, please contact me via email at: william@bu.edu.

William Blackwell

GoodSearch.com is a new search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate.  You use it just as you would any search engine.  It's powered by Yahoo! and Bing, so you get great results.

Just go to http://www.goodsearch.com and enter a charity to support.  Just 500 of us searching four times a day will raise about $7,300 in a year without anyone spending a dime! 

And, be sure to spread the word!  You can also make GoodSearch your homepage or download the toolbar! 

If you would like to designate ACHIEVA or have any questions, please contact David Tinker, CFRE, at 412-995-5000 x436 or email: dtinker@achieva.info.