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Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns Disability News Message - December 28, 2022

Government and Politics

December 28, 2022

From: Kansas Governor Laura Kelly

Job Vacancy Announcements

Good News Newsletter

The Good News Newsletter is a collaborative effort developed by the Colorado Office of Employment First and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). This newsletter will highlight successes happening across our state both in the form of partnerships that are leading to great outcomes, as well as individuals who have received support from DVR who want to share their success story.

Celebrating Collaboration and Partnership

Celebrating the Collaboration between a DPN and DVR

This quarter we are highlighting the collaboration between the Disability Program Navigator (DPN) out of Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Center and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation's (DVR) Aurora office. Together they collaborate and braid services to assist more individuals with disabilities to find or sustain employment. The DPN is the liaison between their workforce center and their local DVR office. This collaboration enables both organizations to braid their funding to improve job outcomes for individuals with disabilities!

The DPN and DVR collaboration has been a successful partnership and soon DPNs will be located in more Workforce Centers across the state. Keys to their success can be attributed to their frequent communication as they meet weekly to discuss how to maximize the services and supports they provide. Learn more about the Disability Program Navigator program here.

Check out this short clip with Lia Weiler, a DPN, and Zoe Sawyer, a DVR Counselor share about their successful collaboration to braid services to maximize outcomes for the individuals they serve.

Read About the DPN and DVR Success Story Here

Celebrating Success Stories

Meet Ty, and Learn About His DVR Employment Success Story

As Ty shared, “I never thought it would be so difficult for someone with my qualifications and abilities to get a job.. but with DVR I found the right job, and if I can do it, I believe anyone can do it.”

"I found a passion and longing for the world... I can make a difference and I can help people help themselves, which is even better than doing for them because they can do for themselves in the future, it's fantastic and I love it, and it's all thanks to the supports that I've gotten from DVR" ~Ty

Watch this 3 minute video, where Ty shares how impactful DVR has been in his life and success towards achieving employment!

Read More about Ty and His Story Here

Meet Kestra and Learn How Her Employment Success Began by Working with DVR During Her Junior Year of High School.

Kestra is thrilled that she has been working with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) since she was in high school. Kestra shared that the support that they gave to her fueled the opportunity to fulfill her career goals of working in the filed of education. Kestra noted that "DVR was right by my side through everything."

Kestra is excited to be working as a kindergarten teacher, thanks to the guidance and financial support of DVR who helped her pay for college. As Kestra said, "DVR is just an amazing opportunity that opens so many doors. They support you through every decision you make, every turn or path you decide to go on. They are right there by your side, and they'll continue to check in and support you."

Watch this 3 minute video, where Kestra shares about her employment journey noting the importance of starting early during high school.

Read More about Kestra and Her Story Here

If you enjoyed the employment success stories shared here and have one you want to see featured, please email Jennifer Scilacci at [email protected].

Upcoming Opportunities

Mark Your Calendar for Colorado's Employment First Summits & Resource Fair!

In collaboration with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Colorado Office of Employment First will be coordinating three virtual Employment First Summits focusing on Employment First Philosophy, Competitive Integrated Employment and DVR Programs and Services. These will be followed by an in-person resource fair!

Dates for virtual summits:
• April 4th, 2023; 9am – 12pm?
• April 12th, 2023; 12pm – 3pm?
• April 26th, 2023; 9am – 12pm
• Resource Fair: May 2023 (In-person; Date & Time TBD)

We hope to see you there!

DVR Youth Services Stakeholder Engagement Survey
The Colorado Office of Employment First (COEF) in partnership with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) Youth Services and Transition Managers, have developed a short 4-6 minute survey, comprised of 8 questions, for youth-focused DVR stakeholders. Information gathered from this survey will be used to aid in strategic planning for program improvement.

Please share your thoughts on this survey before it closes on January 20, 2023.

If you have any questions or need support to complete this engagement survey, please reach out to Dr. Tiffany Cron with COEF at [email protected].

DVR Youth Services Stakeholder Engagement Survey

Our mailing address is:
13121 E. 17th Ave, C234
Aurora, CO 80045

NIBIB’s Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics Tech Program Issues Best Practices for the Design of Accessible COVID-19 Home Test Kits

The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering’s Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx®) Tech program has released Best Practices for the Design of Accessible COVID-19 Home Tests, a document with recommendations for developers and manufacturers of diagnostic tech to make at-home COVID-19 test kits accessible to people with disabilities. The document covers topics on accessible packaging and instructions of test kits, including general readability and layout, graphics and images, language, organization and identification of contents, and digital design, such as modality, assistive technology compatibility, and user interface features.

Learn More

The December OneCare Kansas newsletter: