Learn about removing barriers to resources and services in One-Stop Centers, the law, hidden and apparent disabilities, etiquette for successful interaction and communication, and how to provide and create accessible materials for the use of clients who are job-seekers. Become familiar with the accessible computer workstations and AT (assistive technology) in your One-Stop Center. Introduction to hands-on AT (“assistive technology”) in Your One-Stop site including: JAWS, ZoomText, high contrast settings for computer monitors, screen magnification, CCTV, ergonomic desks and chairs, assistive technology for AAC, and telephone services. Learn about many other resources you and your clients can use to accomplish important vocational tasks.
Learn about functional limitations of specific vision conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, RP; learn basic etiquette including sighted guide; alternative format resources for printed, audio-visual and online materials; community resources; and introduction to hands-on vision AT (“assistive technology”) in your One-Stop Center including: JAWS, ZoomText, high contrast settings for computer monitors, screen magnification, large print materials and CCTV.
Learn about functional limitations of specific hearing conditions (high frequency loss, low frequency loss, deaf culture, late-deafened, hard of hearing); learn basic etiquette; tips for buying sign language interpreter services; differences in deaf culture and public communication, community resources and introduction to hands-on AT (“assistive technology”) in your One-Stop Center including: calling and receiving calls using a TTY, amplified phone, Arizona Relay Service and use of FM systems. The new Ubi-Duo and videophone resources are also covered in this season.
Learn about functional limitations of specific physical motor conditions including spinal cord injuries, amputation, MS, MD and CP; learn about medical conditions that have physical access considerations (arthritis, back injury, diabetes, etc); learn basic etiquette; community resources; basic ergonomic issues and an introduction to hands-on AT (“assistive technology”) in your One-Stop Center including: overall environmental access, desk and chair settings, keyboard and mouse accessibility, Sticky Keys, Mouse Keys and Microsoft On-Screen Keyboard. Other AT that may help: DragonNaturally Speaking and accommodations to help people with a variety of physical considerations.
Learn about functional limitations of a variety of learning disabilities, differences in learning styles, Attention Deficit Disorder and memory concerns. Common behavioral issues, psychological and emotional conditions and mood disorders as well as medical conditions that affect learning, such as TBI (traumatic brain injury) and stroke recovery. Learn basic etiquette and rapport-building strategies; community resources; basic accessibility considerations and an introduction to hands-on AT (“assistive technology”) in your One-Stop Center including: overall environmental access, signage, materials in alternative format, use of software and accommodations for those who have needs that can be addressed with assistive technology.
Come to an intensive two hour training session to strengthen basic skills in computer skills and online strategies important in business communication. These are the critical functional skills needed by staff and clients to successfully complete job-related tasks. Before staff can appreciate fully the necessary assistive technology and accommodations made for clients with disabilities, the IT before the AT is the focus for training. Staff at all levels of skill are welcome but this class is designed for those who are already using email, creating documents and are interested in customizing their computer use. Emphasis areas include keyboard shortcuts, creating accessible documents, and online skills.
This session of disability awareness training and the use of assistive technology with clients who have a disability is a special presentation for locations with limited access to such training in the past or limited resources on-site. In this one hour session, learn about customer service skills, communicating effectively, and establishing rapport with job-seekers who may have any of many different types of disabilities. Short videos are presented and handouts of practical tips make this session lively. This presentation covers quick strategies with the following disability populations: general disabilities, blind or vision impairment, Deaf and hearing loss, physical considerations, cognitive challenges and those with multiple disabilities.
Each site is encouraged to schedule hands-on training for those staff who will directly work with the AT. Let program staff with ATAZ know of your interest and particular questions for your facility. Hands-on sessions may be for as few staff as one or two at a time. This gives staff a chance to practice with assistive technology devices and programs of their choosing. A list of assistive technology devices and skills covered in hands-on training is available upon request for all common accessibility resources available in Arizona One-Stop Centers and Resource Rooms.
This contract year, another form of training is now available: Distance Learning. This is a new training opportunity for staff to attend a short on-site presentation and enroll in a self-paced learning module hosted on atarizona.com. Distance Learning modules are available to match the three and two hour full presentations. This may offer a busy office an effective way to coordinate staff training with staff coverage. Information about the Distance Learning project is available from our staff at the contact information provided at the end of this document.
Full presentations of training modules are provided in One-Stop Centers and Resource Rooms. The main sessions of training (General, BVI, DHoH, ERGO, COG) are three hours each and cannot be shortened in length. There is a maximum number of attendees for these full sessions, set at 30. Two additional presentations are shorter: the Hello introductory presentation is one hour and the Computer Skills for Professionals session is two hours. There is no fee to host our training sessions. Host sites may invite other employment staff, employers and the public to attend when there is enough room for all attendees.
Training sessions are presented at One-Stop Centers and also RSA or VR offices. Affiliated partner programs and in some cases, employers, may schedule staff training at these locations. Individual, hands-on sessions may be set for a time convenient for staff, usually the same day or next day after a full session. The hands-on training is usually attended only by employees who directly work with clients using assistive technology available in the facility, such as in the Computer Lab or Resource Room. State, county and local agencies requesting training may decide to make the trainings mandatory and/or available for credit. CRC credit may be given for full presentations to eligible staff.
Handouts offered during training are available immediately as regular file documents and large print versions of these same documents. If presenters and site supervisors are informed ahead of the date of presentation, other alternative format materials may be available, such as electronic files, floppy disks, CD’s, Braille transcript or audio versions. Handouts and further reference materials may be available in your Resource Room or One-Stop Center. Extensive online resources are available at http://atarizona.com in website sections for AT Resources and the “Don’t Panic” modules. Accommodations for Hard-of-Hearing or Deaf participants are available, including ASL interpreters requested with advance notice to the host location and presenter several weeks prior to the session.
These training sessions are provided by the State of Arizona RSA (Rehabilitation Services) and ACBVI Inc. program to facilitate training and resource development for the use of staff in One-Stop Centers and Resource Rooms. The Training Coordinator is BJ Bolender, and the Distance Learning Specialist is Rhonda Stafford. Questions may be directed through the Feedback Form of the website http://www.atarizona.com. Email contacts are: bbolender@acbvi.org and rstafford@acbvi.org
Current training schedule:
http://www.atarizona.com/schedule-main.php