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Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns Disability News Message - January 30, 2023
Government and Politics
January 30, 2023
From: Kansas Governor Laura KellyThe Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Long-Term Services and Supports Commission (LTSS) is seeking public comment on the following policies:
- Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) - Intellectual/Developmental Disability (IDD) Policy
- HCBS IDD Program Eligibility Determination Policy
- Kansas IDD System Eligibility Policy
The public comment period shall end on 2/20/2023.
Comments may be submitted in one of the following ways:
- By Email: [email protected]
- By standard mail:
- Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services Attn: HCBS Programs 503 S Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS 66603
Draft policies are attached below.
UPDATED EEOC RESOURCE EXPLAINS ADA REQUIREMENTS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH HEARING DISABILITIES IN THE WORKPLACE
Includes Information on Discrimination Against Job Applicants
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today released an updated resource document, “Hearing Disabilities in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act,” explaining how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to job applicants and employees who are deaf or hard of hearing or have other hearing conditions.
The document outlines how certain pre- and post-job offer disability-related questions can violate the ADA, describes easy-to-access technologies that can make providing a reasonable accommodation for a hearing disability free or low-cost, addresses employer concerns about safety, and shares realistic scenarios of potential discrimination. In addition to adding information about discrimination against job applicants, the updated document provides new or updated examples that reflect available technologies.
“Employers have a legal responsibility to create fair workplaces for all employees and job applicants who need reasonable accommodations,” said EEOC Chair Charlotte A. Burrows. “The practical questions and answers and realistic scenarios in this updated document will help educate employers on those responsibilities and employees about their rights.”
Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have other hearing conditions can perform successfully on the job and should not be denied opportunities because of stereotypical assumptions about their hearing. The document clarifies that discrimination may occur when employers act on unfounded assumptions that workers with hearing conditions will cause safety hazards, increase employment costs, or have difficulty communicating. The document also discusses harassment and retaliation.
Recent EEOC news releases about individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have other hearing conditions and sought reasonable accommodations as applicants or employees are available with this preloaded search of EEOC’s newsroom. More information about disability discrimination is available on EEOC’s disability discrimination landing page.
The EEOC advances opportunity in the workplace by enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov. Stay connected with the latest EEOC news by subscribing to our email updates.
This information is from the Colorado Office of Employment First Joe Scarlett asked that I forward this information. Although this training is only free to Colorado providers, Kansas individual providers may apply the hours of training toward obtaining/maintaining their Certified Employment Supports Professional (CESP) certification.
Colorado Customized Employment Training: Next cohort begins on February 21st
The Colorado Office of Employment First (COEF) is excited to bring you this training opportunity in partnership with the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Colorado Customized Employment Collaborative.
Participants in the COEF ACRE Customized Employment Training will engage in an interactive learning experience that includes live sessions, On-Demand coursework, and individualized mentoring. Learning assignments and knowledge checks will help learners practice and demonstrate customized employment skills while also confirming their understanding of course content.
This training covers content on:
• Core Values and Principles for Employment Services
• Discovery Services
• Customized Job Development
• Training Strategies: Systematic Instruction and Workplace Related Support
• Additional Required Course Electives:
o Common Objections to Work
o Supervision Requirements in the Community and Employment
o Customized Employment for Students and Youth
o Group Discovery
Cost: Free to Colorado Providers
Start Date: February 21, 2023
Live Session Times: 1:00 - 4:00 MST
Live Session Dates: Live sessions are Tuesdays and Thursdays (excluding holidays)
• Week One:2/21 & 2/23
• Week Two: 2/28 & 3/2
• Week Three: 3/7 & 3/9
• Week Four: 3/14 & 3/16
• Week Five: 3/21 & 3/23
• Week Six: 3/28 & 3/30
• Week Seven: 4/4 & 4/6
• Week Eight: 4/11 & 4/13
• Week Nine: 4/18
o Participants must attend and participate in all live sessions as well as complete independent homework to earn a training certificate and to be recognized as a Colorado qualified Customized Employment provider.
Our experienced and engaging instructors will be available throughout the course to support participants in navigating the course and achieving course objectives. This training is eligible for SB18-145 training reimbursement, please learn more about the pre-authorization and reimbursement information here.
If you have any questions or need accommodations to register, please email Brian Dean at [email protected].
Copyright © 2021, Colorado Office of Employment First, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
633 17th Street, Suite 1501
Denver, CO 80202
Registrations are for webinars coming up this week or next.
Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) News Brief
January 20, 2023
Beginner’s Checklist for Inclusive AI
The Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT) created the Beginner’s Checklist for Inclusive AI to ensure that your organization uses artificial intelligence (AI) tools in inclusive ways. The questions in this Checklist were created after speaking to innovators with disabilities who have worked extensively with AI. The Checklist comes as part of PEAT’s recently released Disability-Led Innovation Report.
Employer Assistance and Resource Network (EARN)’s Helping Employers Retain Disabled Employees
Providing reasonable accommodations and offering mentoring opportunities and performance coaching are proven ways employers can help retain disabled workers. Throughout January, the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion is sharing best practices and effective strategies to help employers retain their disabled employees. Follow EARN on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for resources and information about fostering an inclusive workplace that encourages employees with disabilities to want to stay at their jobs.
• Learn more about Retaining Workers with Disabilities
LEAD Webinar: A Roadmap to Inclusive Career Pathways - Promoting DEIA Through Cross-System Partnerships
People with disabilities benefit greatly from partnerships that pave the way to both careers and inclusion. Join the LEAD Center on Thursday, February 2 at 3PM ET for the webinar “A Roadmap to Inclusive Career Pathways: Promoting DEIA Through Cross-System Partnerships.” In addition to sharing valuable resources on an interactive online Roadmap to Inclusive Career Pathways, panelists from the District of Columbia will share their strategies, experiences, and resources to support inclusive career pathways, create partnerships across government agencies and with underserved communities, and promote DEIA to enable people with disabilities to succeed in the workforce.
JAN Webcast: Supports and Services - Accommodations with a Heartbeat
This training hosted by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) will discuss effective methods for using supports and services provided by a person or a service animal as job accommodations. “Heartbeat accommodations” may involve using a job coach, sign language interpreter, emotional support animal, mentor or other types of supports. Hear from JAN’s experts including James Potts, Senior Consultant for the Cognitive/Neurological Team; Lisa Mathess, Lead Consultant and Americans with Disabilities Act Specialist; and Tracie DeFreitas, Program Leader and Director of Training, Services and Outreach. The webcast takes place on Thursday, February 9, 2PM ET.
• Register for the JAN Webcast
EARN Webinar: Organization-Wide Accessibility – Everyone Plays a Part
Save the date for the upcoming EARN Webinar “Organization-Wide Accessibility: Everyone Plays a Part” on Wednesday, February 15, at 2PM ET. Hear from a panel of experts about effective strategies for creating a workplace culture that encourages employees at all levels to embrace a holistic view of accessibility. This approach yields benefits such as increased productivity, improved retention of employees with disabilities and strengthened diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility efforts.
• Register for the Accessibility Webinar
U.S. Department of Labor
Office of Disability Employment Policy
DRIVING CHANGE • CREATING OPPORTUNITY