Keeping up: Technology's Rapid Changes and Effects on People with Disabilities

The National Council on Disability is interested in evaluating how Americans with disabilities are faring in this new digital media age. NCD is interested in examining the accessibility of new media and technologies developed, documenting successful development processes, understanding consumer needs, and identifying the facilitators and barriers to the technology transfer for employment purposes. Through this research, NCD will aim to educate designers about how specific new technologies intersect with the employment needs of individuals with disabilities. This research will aim to provide technology developers with knowledge on how their complex products can be developed in a cost-effective way and used to increase the employment of people with disabilities.

Amount: $150,000

Due date: August 7, 2009

As part of this research, six new media sources and/or digital technology products will be analyzed for their utility in employment settings, and their accessibility to people with disabilities. This analysis should include market trends, potential consumers, facilitators and barriers to expanding the market to employment settings, industry practice, and accessibility. NCD proposes to collect data on the experiences of people with disabilities in this new media environment; highlight accomplishments, and determine recommendations for how digital media accessibility for people with disabilities can be improved. NCD hopes the information in this report will motivate and drive the development of new technologies that will improve the employment status of people with disabilities.

For more information, click here.

Registered Apprenticeship for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities Iniative

The Office of Disability Employment Policy within the Department of Labor has announced the availability of funds and solicitation for grant applications (SGA) for a cooperative agreement that would focus on developing, providing and researching apprenticeship programs for youth and young adults with disabilities.

Amount: $400,000

Due date: July 15, 2009

Required partners must include university, registered apprenticeship program, a community based organization, and a business with demonstrated experience providing employment and training services to youth with disabilities.

According to the RFP, "successful applicants will research, develop, and evaluate innovative
models of Registered Apprenticeship service delivery that are inclusive of youth and
young adults with disabilities, including those with significant disabilities, between the
ages of 16 and 27. It is expected that the models will produce skilled workers who are
in demand in one or more high-growth, high-demand industries including but not limited
to, construction, healthcare, green jobs, information technology, and biotechnology. To
create a continuum of service delivery for youth with disabilities of high-school age, and
to provide apprenticeship opportunities for those who may lack relevant skills, and those
who may have dropped out or otherwise failed to obtain a high school diploma, the
service delivery model being developed must also include a pre-apprenticeship
component."

For more information: http://tinyurl.com/ldx6km