Are you or someone you support interested in owning your own small business based on a skill, passion, or something you are good at?

Self-employment can offer people with disabilities flexibility and an opportunity to develop a business that is meaningful and works for them. Business ownership may also offer increased status and visibility in communities and provide an avenue to build long lasting relationships and earn a competitive wage.

The Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council launched a self-employment business “incubator” project in 2016 and to date the RIDDC and its partners have supported more than 140 individuals to start and grow their own business. Join the webinar to learn how entrepreneurs in Rhode Island have used their talents, skills, resources, and connections to create their ideal job or small business venture.

If you need an accommodation, such as real time transcription and captioning (CART) or American Sign Language (ASL) or other language interpretation, please contact Miranda Whalen at miranda.whalen@maine.gov by May 24, 2023.

As case managers, community integration workers, DSPs, residential staff, or others with a supporting role in the life of a person with a disability, you have a critical role in the employment success of the individuals you serve.  Work and Benefits Navigation training will equip you with information, skills, and resources you need to challenge myths about work and benefits and encourage employment. These trainings are NOT for employment support providers- specific training for these staff will be available in September.

Training will be provided by Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWICs) from Maine Medical Center’s Department of Vocational Services.  They have many years of experience in assisting people with navigating Social Security’s return-to-work rules, and encouraging them - and those who play a supporting role in their lives - to think about earnings and work in a new way.

Are you or someone you support interested in owning your own small business based on a skill, passion, or something you are good at?

Self-employment can offer people with disabilities flexibility and an opportunity to develop a business that is meaningful and works for them. Business ownership may also offer increased status and visibility in communities and provide an avenue to build long lasting relationships and earn a competitive wage.

The Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council launched a self-employment business “incubator” project in 2016 and to date the RIDDC and its partners have supported more than 140 individuals to start and grow their own business. Join the webinar to learn how entrepreneurs in Rhode Island have used their talents, skills, resources, and connections to create their ideal job or small business venture.

If you need an accommodation, such as real time transcription and captioning (CART) or American Sign Language (ASL) or other language interpretation, please contact Miranda Whalen at miranda.whalen@maine.gov by May 24, 2023.

The family members of people with disabilities are often very involved and invested in the lives of their loved ones. This webinar will address ways to include families in the employment development process while continuing to maintain a focus on self-determination and person-centered planning. We will discuss the role that families can play in supporting individuals to meet their employment goals and the use of active listening skills to develop trusting and effective relationships with team members. We will share handouts and tools for future use in your work with families as they navigate the complicated transition and employment services systems. This webinar is appropriate for anyone working with families and other team members to assist individuals to find and maintain jobs in the community. One hour of professional development will be provided.

Presenters: Lara Enein, Institute for Community Inclusion, UMass Boston, Janet May, University of Maine, and Carrie Woodcock, Maine Parent Federation

Attend the 2023 National APSE Conference LIVE in Columbus on June 12-15, 2023. The only national conference focused exclusively on Employment First. Hear from and network with professionals across the country. Earn professional development hours for every session you attend. Early bird registration is now open through 3/31/23!

About APSE

The Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) is the only national organization focused exclusively on Employment First to facilitate the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace and community.

Critical to the success of individuals with disabilities in employment is successful fading and maximizing the use of natural supports. Topics covered include why fading and natural supports are important for people with disabilities, programs that support them, and businesses that hire them. You will learn how to identify and use natural supports at the jobsite, when and how to implement systematic instruction and task analysis, and how to build the independence and confidence of the individual in the workplace.

The training is appropriate for anyone providing support services to individuals and students with disabilities.

Earn 6 hours of professional development time.

Training is Key for Staying Safe at Work! #

Funded by a grant from the Department of Labor, the Raising Awareness to Increase Safety in Employment (RAISE) https://iod.unh.edu/RAISE team at the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability has enhanced and updated the Staying Safe at Work curriculum developed for teaching workers with intellectual and developmental disabilities about workplace safety.

RAISE is offering these FREE 5½-hour virtual trainings on workplace safety across New England to:

• Individuals with disabilities
• Special Education Teachers / Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors
• Support Teams

Please check out the [RAISE Upcoming Trainings]
https://iod.unh.edu/RAISE/upcoming-trainings page for more information and to register.

If you have any questions or concerns or are interested in scheduling a training specific to your group of eight or more, please reach out to Caitlyn Fulton at caitlyn.fulton@unh.edu.

Wondering about different strategies to engage employers and obtain jobs for individuals with disabilities? Join us for this webinar to learn more about Progressive Employment. Progressive Employment is a model that the Maine Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Division of Blind and Visually Impaired have been using with their VR clients. The model has shown significant success in the state of Maine for youth with barriers to employment. This webinar will provide a high-level overview of the Progressive Employment model and key considerations for adoption and implementation of it. Presenters will share their respective experiences with Progressive Employment and the expansion into other states, including a new project in partnership with the Maine Bureau of Employment Services. This webinar is appropriate for anyone doing career exploration and job development activities with youth and adults with disabilities. This webinar provides one hour of professional development.

Get more information on Progressive Employment and see success stories online.

Presenters: Libby Stone-Sterling, Maine DOL; Cecilia Gandolfo and Hugh Bradshaw, Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts Boston

Are you using best practices when providing employment services to individuals with disabilities? Are you sharing up-to-date information about services to individuals you case manage, their families, and other team members? Do you want to know more about proven strategies and practices in your new job?

Join us for this training to learn about all the latest advances in supporting individuals to identify their career goals, negotiate and create job opportunities, and provide inclusive and individualized job supports.

This process should be about, with, and for the individual. We will also discuss how to incorporate self-determination, informed choice, and dignity of risk into all aspects of your service delivery.

This training is appropriate for educators who support individuals in exploring and trying new jobs, staff who provide employment services, and case managers. Attendees will earn 3.5 professional development hours.

Self-determination, informed choice, and dignity of risk are integral components of effective and authentic person-centered employment planning, job development, and job supports. This webinar will include strategies and resources on how to support the development and inclusion of these components into your service delivery processes. Panelists will share their experiences in working with staff to reach their goals. We will discuss the importance of the individual’s voice in their employment success and personal growth. We will highlight resources and strategies that support your work in enhancing individual choice throughout the employment process. This webinar is appropriate for anyone providing career planning, job development, and/or job coaching services to youth and adults with disabilities. One hour of professional development will be provided.