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Business, government, and community agencies working together to enhance employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

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October 2009

Long Island Working Partnership gears up for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)

Long Island Working Partnership celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a flagship event for the Long Island and Queens region.  The partnership is both a resources to business, community rehabilitation programs and vocational rehabilitation counselors in matters of employment and accommodations.  It merges business needs, service provider agencies training, and vocational rehabilitation to improve and advance employment opportunities for qualified workers with disabilities.

“Expectation + Opportunity = Full Participation” is 2009 mission statement for this very important national event.  Susan Summerville, Executive Director of North Shore/LIJ hospital will deliver the keynote address.  Sixteen businesses will be recognized for their exemplary hiring practices. 

Long Island’s NDEAM event annually features the creations of working artists with disabilities, seeking to expose their talents to a larger audience. 

For registration information and how to join the Long Island Working Partnership please contact Ella Craanen at 516-227-6804.

Click here to view the Invitation

January 2007

Collaborative Efforts of Agencies Make Employment a Reality

Michael has a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome. He is able to follow directions and stay on task. Michael is able to work exceptionally well when given detailed instructions. As a characteristic of this type of disability Michael does not do well in one-on-one and social interactions.

After completing a BOCES electronics assembly training program with excellent results he had difficulty finding employment. There were concerns about his interpersonal skills, his ability to get through an interview, and his ability to fit in. His BOCES instructor was not able to assist him beyond training. Michael’s instructor believed in his ability to do the job, but was not able to assist beyond that. Michael needed assistance to get through the job interview and support on the job to get him through the crucial first few weeks of the job.

A job lead was provided through BOCES. His VESID counselor arranged job coaching services from Abilities, Inc. They made the necessary contacts with the employer; coached Michael for the interview and provided few hours of job coaching on the job.

VESID can provide a “job coach”. A job coach accompanies the individual to work and assist him/her in acclimating into the work environment.

Michael is doing very well as an electronics assembler. He is works full time at $9.50/hour and receives benefits.

Through collaboration and coordination of services Michael was able to receive the assistance he needed to get him started on his career. Without the right contact at BOCES, VESID intervention, and job coaching services provided to him through Abilities, Inc. Michael would not have been able to get a job and succeed.

Job coaching services make it possible for an individual to get acclimated on the job at no cost, time, or effort on the part of the employer.

With a little understanding and patience this employer is able to benefit from a very hard working and committed employee.


Seamless Support

VESID Connects with Students Prior to Graduation

Allen attended a BOCES program for airplane mechanic training. A diagnosis of learning disability in the areas of written expression, math, organizational skills and attention made it possible for Allen to receive special education assistance from the school system. Two years prior to exit from the educational system, as required by law, Allen met with his VESID counselor. He needed one more year of training to get the power plant license and qualify for Airplane Mechanic training at SUNY Farmingdale University. A very focused young man Allen was able to achieve his goal in two years. Allen works on hydraulic airplane systems full time and earns $14.00/hr with full benefits.


The Sylvia Geoghegan Presidential E.A.R.N. Program (Employ Ability Right Now)

Stephanie Patterson
Stony Brook University

Taking the ‘dis’ out of disability, the Sylvia Geoghegan Presidential E.A.R.N. (Employ Ability Right Now) Program has increased the employment of people with disabilities at Stony Brook University. By providing financial incentives and support services to administrators the E.A.R.N. program matches campus job opportunities with qualified candidates with disabilities.

E.A.R.N. was developed through close collaboration between SBU and the New York State Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID). SBU and VESID share the funding of the new employees’ first three months salary: VESID provides up to 160 hours (approx. one month) and the University President provides up to 320 hours (approx. two months) of salary support.

The program is named in honor of Sylvia Geoghegan, who was employed by SUNY Stony Brook University. Miss. Geoghegan was a local and national advocate for employment of people with disabilities.

A win-win initiative, E.A.R.N. offers managers the chance to work with qualified people from an underutilized talent pool. the first three months salary provided gives a no-risk opportunity to evaluate the new hire's strengths and abilities and to appreciate the added value that such a placement inevitably makes to the department.

The program is dedicated in memory of Ms. Sylvia Geoghegan, a person with a disability who brought her enthusiasm, skills, and spirit of community to her work at SBU.

For further information, contact the Disability Support Services Office at Stony Brook University (631) 632-6748, or the Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) (631) 952-6317.


Work Try Out Program

Work Try Out (WTO) is a job matching system that assists the employer in determining how well a new hire can perform a job, and if the person is well suited for the specific work environment. The employer receives reimbursement of the wages paid even if the employee is not returned at the conclusion of WTO. The WTO can be full or part time, and limited to 4 weeks or 160 hours of employment (whichever comes first).

Advantages:

To learn more about how to arrange a WTO contact VESID:
Lorie Boyd 516-505-3212
Susin Packert 631-952-6713


Workplace Accommodations for Individuals with Learning Disabilities as per Northeast ADA

www.ilr.cornell.edu/ped/northeastada/

Cost of Accommodation

31% of accommodations cost nothing
50% cost less than $ 50.00
69% cost less than $ 500.00
88% cost less than $1,000.00

Job Accommodation Network—JAN/DOL


The Long Island Working Partnership (LIWP) a group of business leaders state & local government representatives and community service providers

“Rubies is very proud to be affiliated with TRI and their graduates. They are dedicated and loyal employees who bring inspiration and enthusiasm to the workplace”
 —Quote from Michael Lindsay, Office Manager, Rubies Costume Company

Rubies was established in 1951. Over the years it has grown from a small family owned candy store to multifaceted internationally known manufacturing and distribution establishment of costumes and accessories with visibility in Europe and Canada.

The spirit of Rubies is an altruistic one who welcomes the challenges presented in the hiring of people with all levels of disabilities. Together, Rubies and TRI Business & Career Training Center are responsible for placing a large number of students in jobs ranging from straight data entry to basic warehouse help to heavy customer contact oriented positions. Through working with Rubies our students have accomplished more independence, a greater level of self confidence, and all around better social skills. Rubies eases them into the world of work and provides them with a nurturing, accepting environment.

TRI is a not-for-profit organization that specializes in, and is dedicated to providing state of the art vocational training services to persons with learning, emotional and physical disabilities. The partnership between TRI and Rubies is a wonderful example of what can be accomplished when two organizations support each other with vocational training and job placement that matches the skills and interests of people with disabilities.

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October 2006
Long Island Working Partnership (LIWP) cordially invites you to attend the 21st Annual Employer Recognition Breakfast, Ready for the Global Workforce, held as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (Download the PDF)


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