Free Accessible COVID-19 Tests 

The US  Postal Service now has free COVID-19 tests that are accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired. Please go to their website to order.   There is a limit two per person. 

ADA Proclamation

Governor Laura Kelly signed a proclamation in honor of the 32nd anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please see the attached copy of the proclamation below.

Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) News Brief

Driving Change | Creating Opportunity

June 24, 2022

NDEAM Theme Announcement

In recognition of the important role people with disabilities play in a diverse and inclusive American workforce, the theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2022 will be “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.” Observed annually in October, NDEAM celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices. The annual theme is announced early to facilitate advance planning of events.

• Learn more about NDEAM

Olmstead Anniversary

June 22, 2022 marked the 23rd anniversary of the landmark Olmstead v. L.C. ruling. In this case, the U.S. Supreme Court declared that people with disabilities, including the most significant disabilities, have the right to live and receive publicly funded services in their communities, in the most integrated settings possible. “For so many people, whether they have a disability or not, a core part of living in the community is working in the community,” said the Office of Disability Employment Policy’s Assistant Secretary Taryn M. Williams. “In ODEP, we advance the spirit of Olmstead through our work to increase community-based, competitive integrated employment and employment services for people with disabilities across America.”

• Read about ODEP’s work on competitive integrated employment

Promoting Pride, in Our Work and in Ourselves

Steven Nissen, policy adviser in the Office of Disability Employment Policy’s Employer and Workplace Policy team, posted a blog recognizing Pride Month. In “Promoting Pride, in Our Work and in Ourselves,” Nissen discusses ODEP’s work to educate employers about policies and best practices to build inclusive organizations for all diverse groups, including those in the LGBTQI+ community. He notes the agency’s own inclusive culture that all people should feel comfortable bringing their full selves to work.

• Read the blog: “Promoting Pride, in Our Work and in Ourselves”

Upcoming Webinar! Celebrating Olmstead: How Blending, Braiding, and Sequencing Leads to

Integrated Employment

State and local agencies and partners are eager to help people with disabilities enter high-quality jobs and careers. As they support people through their employment journeys, they want to do so in the most effective and efficient way possible. Blending, braiding, and sequencing of funding and resources are three strategies that can achieve those goals. This federal interagency webinar, hosted by the LEAD Center, is the second in a series of webinars on blending, braiding, and sequencing resources and funding to support employment outcomes, and to promote equity and inclusion for people with disabilities.

• Join the Webinar Wednesday, June 29, 3:00-4:00 P.M. ET

‘Mental Health at Work: What Can I Do?’ PSA Wins Hermes Creative Award

The Campaign for Disability Employment’s “Mental Health at Work: What Can I Do?” Public Service Announcement recently received a Platinum level Hermes Creative Award in the PSA category. Administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals, the Hermes Creative Awards evaluate the creative industry’s leading publications, branding collateral, websites, videos and communication programs. Winners range from individual communicators to Fortune 500 companies. The winning PSA, launched by the ODEP-funded CDE in March 2022, explores the roles we all play in fostering a mental health-friendly workplace.

• View the PSA and learn more about the “Mental Health at Work: What Can I Do?” campaign

How an Inclusive Apprenticeship Led to Marketable Skills in IT: A Neurodiverse Apprentice Shares His Success Story

The Partnership on Inclusive Apprenticeship just launched a new ‘Apprenticeship for All’ podcast episode. In this episode, a graduate of the Bridge to Opportunity IT program who identifies as neurodivergent, shares his journey into an IT career through apprenticeship. He provides advice to other job candidates with disabilities, as well as to employers of neurodiverse apprentices about how they can create inclusive workplaces to broaden their company’s access to a large talent pool of tech professionals.

• Listen to How an Inclusive Apprenticeship Led to Marketable Skills in IT

U.S. Department of Labor
Office of Disability Employment Policy
DRIVING CHANGE • CREATING OPPORTUNITY

View this newsletter on our website

Free Webinar: “LGBTQ+ Protections in Employment Law”
June 27, 2022 – 1:30 – 3:30 pm Eastern Time

As the nation’s largest employer, the federal government must be a model for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, where all employees are treated with dignity and respect. Accordingly, the federal government must strengthen its ability to recruit, hire, develop, promote, and retain our nation’s talent and remove barriers to equal opportunity. It must also provide resources and opportunities to strengthen and advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility across the federal government. The federal government should have a workforce that reflects the diversity of the American people. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workplaces yield higher-performing organizations. Every person should be treated with respect and dignity and should be able to live without fear, no matter who they are or whom they love. All persons should receive equal treatment under the law, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation. This presentation will include information on DEIA, Title VII, and LGBTQ+ case law.

When: Monday, June 27, 2022, 1:30 – 3:30pm Eastern Time

Where: WebEx

Register today using the following link or QR code:

Registration Link: https://bit.ly/EEO-LGBTQ (Link is case sensitive)

Send accommodation requests to [email protected] and include “LGBTQ+ Protections in Employment Law Webinar Accommodation Request” in the subject line. Closed Captioning is provided.

U.S. EEOC, Office of Federal Operations, Outreach Training and Engagement Division
131 M Street NE, Washington, DC 20507 ? [email protected]

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) Newsletter - June 2022   

Dear JAN Newsletter Subscribers:

The June edition of the JAN Newsletter focuses on medical examination and inquiry rules under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). JAN receives many questions about these rules and has developed resources to help employers, individuals with disabilities, and health care providers understand them.

Read the June 2022 edition of the JAN Newsletter.

If you have any questions or comments or if there is a topic you would like us to cover, please contact us.

The JAN Staff

This document was developed by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN). JAN is a service of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy/ODEP (#OD-38028-22-75-4-54). The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the U.S. Department of Labor. Nor does mention of tradenames, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Job Vacancy Announcements

Blue Cross/Blue Shield posted the following position, open to external candidates:

Title: Infrastructure Administrator, Application Deadline: 7/4/22

To view the job description and apply on-line, please go to www.bcbsks.com/careers.

ADA 32nd Anniversary.pdf

HCBS Final Settings Rule Public Comments Notification

HCBS Final Settings Rule Public Comments Notification

The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) has posted a list of the following HCBS Settings Final Rule documents for public comment:

1. Settings that have characteristics of isolation (Heightened Scrutiny Category 3).
Each setting will remain posted for 30 days to allow public comments from HCBS participants, guardians, their families, staff, and other community stakeholders.

Starting June 22, 2022, documents can be reviewed at the following link or by request:

Community Connections website link at https://communityconnectionsks.org/

Comments can be made through the following methods:

1. Online
o Community Connections website https://communityconnectionsks.org/
2. By Email
o Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services ADCSP, Senior Administrative Assistant
[email protected].
3. By Standard Mail –
o Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services
Attn: HCBS Programs
503 S. Kansas Avenue
Topeka, KS 66603

Special Accommodations: Any individual may request accommodation by contacting Anita Flewelling.
ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-785-296-4983 (TTY: 1-711).

Visit the Community Connections Website

Our mailing address is:
Kansas Community Connections
503 S Kansas Ave
Topeka, KS 66603-3404

REMINDER:HOME-ARP Listening Sessions

The final listening sessions for Kansas Housing Resources Corp. (KHRC's) HOME-ARP Program are just one week away! They will be held on June 28 and June 29, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. The writing of the Allocation Plan began earlier this year, and this will be the final opportunity for State and local partners to share information directly with our organization and our consultants before the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan is completed. Any comments following these sessions must be made in writing.

In partnership with KHRC, our consultants have prepared a chart regarding the Eligible Activities and a list of considerations to have in mind for each activity. This document will provide organizations with information to consider when thinking about what Eligible Activities they may want to seek HOME-ARP funding for. Prior to attending the sessions, please take the time to review the HOME-ARP "Things to Consider" Chart.

KHRC has $22,929,650 to fund the following Eligible Activities:

• Development and support of affordable housing
• Supportive services
• Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)
• Acquisition and development of non-congregate shelter units
• Up to 10% of funds can be designated for operating and capacity building expenses for non profits carrying out HOME-ARP activities.

If you serve individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of homeless, are victims of domestic violence, or are otherwise at risk of housing instability, you are encouraged to attend the virtual listening sessions. Please note: there is no need to register for these sessions!

Tuesday, June 28, 2022, 9:00-10:30am | Click here to attend

Wednesday, June 29, 2022, 9:00-10:30am | Click here to attend

Additional information about the HOME-ARP Program can be found on our website. If you have not already done so, please also consider taking a few moments to share more about your organization by completing the HOME-ARP Stakeholder Survey.

VISIT OUR PUBLIC NOTICE

Questions? Email HOME-ARP Program Manager Abigail Phillips at [email protected].

Kansas Housing Resources Corporation
611 S Kansas Ave., Suite 300 | Topeka, KS 66603
[email protected]

Greetings Prospective Tobacco Treatment Specialist (TTS),

The University of Kansas has released its Fall 2022 Tobacco Treatment Specialist training dates. If you are still interested, we would love to receive your application!

Please see attached flyer for program details. APPLY HERE!

Thanks,

Karla Van Goethem

Data Specialist

Masonic Cancer Alliance

4350 Shawnee Mission Pkwy., #1100

Fairway, KS 66205 Phone: 913-945-6823

Fax: 913-945-6644 Email: [email protected]     

www.masoniccanceralliance.org www.facebook.com/masoniccanceralliance

Celebrating Olmstead:
How Blending, Braiding, and Sequencing Leads to Integrated Employment

Webinar: Wednesday, June 29, 3:00-4:00 P.M. ET

State and local agencies and partners are eager to help people with disabilities enter high-quality jobs and careers. As they support people through their employment journeys, they want to do so in the most effective and efficient way possible. Blending, braiding, and sequencing of funding and resources are three strategies that can achieve those goals.

This federal interagency webinar, hosted by the LEAD Center, is the second in a series of webinars on blending, braiding, and sequencing resources and funding to support employment outcomes, and to promote equity and inclusion for people with disabilities. The first webinar, hosted on March 22, featured examples from Colorado, North Carolina, and Arizona. On June 29, Maryland will share their promising practices at the state and local levels, including lessons learned and tools they use to sustain their partnerships.

Featured speakers include Maryland’s:
• Governor’s Workforce Development Board
• Division of Rehabilitation Services
• Behavioral Health Administration
• Anne Arundel County Workforce Development Corporation

This webinar is presented by the Office of Disability Employment Policy at the U.S. Department of Labor, along with federal partners at the Employment and Training Administration, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Administration for Community Living, the Rehabilitation Services Administration, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, the Office of Special Education Programs, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the Social Security Administration.

REGISTER FOR THE JUNE 29 WEBINAR

www.leadcenter.org

The LEAD Center is led by Social Policy Research Associates and National Disability Institute. It is fully funded as the WIOA Policy Development Center by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, Contract No. 1605DC-19-F-00341.

Fall 2022 TTS Flyer.pdf