Understanding and Understanding and Implementing the Implementing the Disability Program Disability Program Navigator InitiativeNavigator Initiative

Building Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities

Region V: Training Forum

March 3-4, 2004

““A Day in the Life…”A Day in the Life…”

Jimmy Weber

Disability Program Navigator

Siouxland Tri-State Workforce Development Center

Sioux City, Iowa

Two Key WordsTwo Key Words

Knowledge

Relationships

Know about DisabilityKnow about Disability

Learn About Disability Issues– ADA, Olmstead Decision, 504 Plans, curb-cuts, TTY

etc

Experience Disability– Borrow a wheelchair– Sensitivity training classes

People First language– Reflects that we see the person before their disability– Vocabulary DOES reflect attitude

Know …..Know …..Co-workersOther NavigatorsPartnersEmployersPeople with disabilitiesArea Organizations and Agencies who work

with people with disabilitiesFederal IncentivesStaff of University of Iowa College of Law;

– Law, Health Policy, and Disability CenterWhat not to do

Beyond “Knowing”Beyond “Knowing”

Takes time…

……….……….and Hard work

Developing working Developing working relationships with….relationships with….

One Stop Staff Other Navigators Other Agencies and Organizations People with disabilities Employers State Staff Federal Staff Staff of University of Iowa College of Law; Law,

Health Policy, & Disability Center

““Victories”Victories”Taxi CabsTransit & ParatransitHabitat for HumanityEmployment NetworksSeveral more people employedADA/IT in Kansas City

“The moral test of government is how it treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children, those who are in the twilight of life, the aged, and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy, and the handicapped.”

– Hubert H Humphrey– Former Senator and Presidential Candidate

“Wherever a door is closed to anyone because of a disability, we must work to open it. Wherever any job or home or means of transportation is unfairly denied because of a disability we must work to change it. Wherever any barrier stands between you and the full rights and dignity of citizenship, we must work to remove it, in the name of simple decency and simple justice.”

– President George W Bush– February 1, 2001– New Freedom Initiative Announcement Speech