But there’s also a lesser known way for people (including veterans) with disabilities to apply for federal jobs through a non-competitive hiring process called Schedule A.  As long as you meet the disability criteria and the minimum qualifications for a position, you may be hired without competing with the general public.  People from all professions from clerical staff to attorneys can be hired in this manner.

Under Schedule A you first decide what federal agency you’d like to work for, then apply directly to that agency by contacting the person who helps recruit, hire and accommodate people with disabilities.  That person’s name and contact information can be found either on the agency’s website (recommended) or through the SPPC Directory (not always up to date).  You can apply for a specific job opening advertised on the agency website, or you can simply register with them to be considered for future openings.

For more information about the details of Schedule A, start with the webpages for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The original post is located here: The Inside Track on Federal Jobs

You can even take it a step further, if you choose, and  help kids with disabilities get access to technology by donating your rebate to CforAT’s Open Resource Program. Each donated $30 rebate will pay for a free technology evaluation for one child and their family.

For more details on how it works, contact the Center for Accessible Technology at (510) 841-3224 or email info@cforat.org.

The original post is located here: Broadband Rebate

http://www.thinkbeyondthelabel.com/About-Us/About-Us.aspx  – “Think Beyond the Label began in January 2010 as a campaign to raise awareness about the business case for hiring people with disabilities. Our message is simple: labels get in the way, disabilities rarely do.  . . . We offer job seekers a network and digital hub that provides information, tools and resources to aid in their job search so they can find meaningful employment in their chosen field. Our jobs feed allows users to search and apply for jobs with companies that are actively seeking to hire them. We also have a widely read blog and e-newsletter and proactively communicate with job seekers through our social media channels.”

http://www.gettinghired.com  – “Our portal has incorporated several unique free services designed to help people prepare for the work place and build their careers. Our social networking medium offers individuals a platform to connect with each other and career mentors. Job seekers will find opportunities posted by employers who expressly use our portal through paid annual subscriptions to hire them. Our portal identifies and highlights individual skills, talents and backgrounds. No person will be asked to disclose a disability anywhere on the GettingHired portal. Our RightMatch technology matches individual qualifications to specific job requirements facilitating employment success.”

http://www.disaboomjobs.com/  – “Disaboom.com was founded by Dr. J. Glen House, a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation who is also a quadriplegic. . . . DisaboomJobs is the leading online resource for jobs for people with disabilities. These aren’t “disability” jobs, they’re ability-, skill set- and professional-expertise jobs. The companies represented here are, however, actively seeking to recruit and provide employment for people with disabilities as part of their inclusive workforce. Search among more than 600,000 jobs and/or career opportunities, create your profile, upload your resume, and showcase your skills to potential employers today. Jobs for people with disabilities is the goal for these employers – but they’re looking for your abilities, so here’s the place to showcase them.”

The original post is located here: Going Beyond the Label

January 18 – Dreaming Big and Getting Practical: How to Navigate Work, Housing, Relationships, College, and Fun After High School

February 15 - Making Work Work: Taking a Close Look at Employment Possibilities

March 21 - It’s Your Move: Exploring Housing and Living Support Options

April 18 – Searching for Relationships: Making Connections that Matter

May 16 - Considering College: Learning what’s Available and How to Get It

June 20 - Recipes for Recreation: Expanding Your Repertoire for Fun

If you’d like to sign up for one, a few, or all six parts just email Linda Rathner at lindarathner@comcast.net and she’ll get you set up.

The original post is located here: Ramping Up for Independence

There are a variety of products that need testing–from a new e-reader to the design of a company’s invoice to some website designs–and since each session focuses on only one product, there are multiple opportunities to participate.  Testing will probably take place at the Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley, though there may also be some sessions in San Francisco.

For more detailed information, call Dmitri Belser at the Center for Accessible Technologies at (510) 841-3224 ext. 2012 or email him at dbelser@cforat.org.

The original post is located here: Paid Product Testing for the Visually Impaired

Each year during the holiday season, TLG has filled the gap by soliciting donated toys and games from Bay Area organizations and companies.  But this year, due to a combination of decreased community resources and increased poverty, they expect a significant shortfall in donations .

If you would like to donate a new, unwrapped toy, game or book suitable for children from birth through age 18, there will be a “TLG TOYS” collection box outside the main TLG door at the Ed Robert Campus (located above the Ashby BART station).  All donations are welcome, but they particularly need gifts for the younger children.  They will continue to accept donations through the end of the year.

The original post is located here: Holiday Toys for Children in Need

Monique's Yellow Bamboo Notecard

Not only is her artwork stunningly beautiful (IMHO), but she creates it using a head wand and computer!  Monique Harris has cerebral palsy, but that hasn’t stopped her from obtaining an associates degree in business and running two businesses of her own–Monique’s Magnets (artwork) and Communications @ Ease (communication tools for people with speech impairments).  In fact it provides inspiration for some of her work.

Monique Harris at work

Monique is having her first art exhibition and reception (Wednesday, December 7th  from 5:30 to 7:30 at The Shop at CIL, 2539 Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley) where she’ll be selling her matted art, poetry, magnets, greeting cards, and communication boards.  Come and meet this extraordinary artist, have a bit of wine and cheese, and pick up a few items for holiday gifts.

The original post is located here: Unique Monique

In his professional life, Sean works as a Financial Planning Specialist and Portfolio Manager for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.  Sean recently volunteered his time and lent his expertise to help CTP staff create a mechanism to better track our business performance and increase our internal efficiency.  This will provide valuable information to help both staff and Board see where we are and decide where we need to go next.

And in support of Sean’s volunteer efforts with CTP, the Morgan Stanley Foundation contributed $1,500 to help CTP continue providing career opportunities for people with disabilities.  This contribution represents support from all of the business units within Morgan Stanley, including Morgan Stanley Bank, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, and Saxon.

So we at CTP give a heartfelt THANK YOU to Sean and to the Morgan Stanley Foundation for your much appreciated support in all its forms.

The original post is located here: Two Heartfelt Thank You’s

Prior to The iPad Program, you had to purchase the devices and the apps in order to even try them out–before you knew if they suit your needs.  Because the apps range in price  from free to $300, that can be a pretty pricey process, not to mention wasteful.  The iPad Project lending library gives you the chance to experiment with the devices and the apps, to see what works and what doesn’t work for you, before you buy anything.  Then you’ll be in a position to confidently make informed, targeted purchase decisions.

The program also offers training on how to use the iPads and iPod Touches and the apps.

If you’d like to attend a group meeting to learn about the project and, if eligible, borrow an iPad or iPod  for two weeks, the upcoming loan meeting dates are:

• Thursday, December 1st, from 3:30 – 4:30
• Tuesday, December 20th, from 3:30 – 4:30
• Thursday, January 5th, from 3:30 – 4:30
• Tuesday, January 24th, from 3:30 – 4:30

More information about The iPad Project can be found here.

The original post is located here: The iPad Project

Find out more in Kareem Dale’s blog, called NASA Goddard Space Flight Center: Disability Employment Done Right, about his visit to the Center and the culture of inclusion he found there.

The original post is located here: Ever Dream of Working for NASA?