Disability Awareness Curriculum 2007
WIA One-Stop Sites w/RSA

Training provided by ACBVI

(ACBVI: Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired)

General Disability Awareness

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.

Special Disability Training, B/VI:
Serving Persons who are Blind or Vision Impaired

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.

Special Disability Training, D/HoH:
Serving persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

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.

Special Disability Training, ERGO:
ERGO and Physical Considerations  
Serving persons with limited physical accessibility

Learn about functional limitations of specific physical motor conditions including spinal cord injuries, MS, MD and CP; learn about medical conditions that have physical access considerations; 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.

Special Disability Training, COG:
Serving Persons with Learning Disabilities or Cognitive Challenges

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.

Missing Link Solutions for IT and AT:
Computer Basics and Online Strategies

An intensive short course of training 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 of staff at all levels of skill. Emphasis on effective shortcuts and word-processing skills.

Other Training Available through the AT Staff Training Program

Following a staff session for the B/VI and the D/HoH trainings, each site is allowed to have a two hour hands-on training scheduled for those staff who will directly work with the AT.  Let program staff with ATAZ know of your interest.

Notes about Final Training Sessions for 2006 – June 2007

The main sessions of training (General, B/VI, D/HoH, ERGO, COG) are three hours each and cannot be shortened in length.  They usually run at one of these times:

8:30 to 11:30 am
10:30 am to 2:30 pm (one hour for lunch)
1:00 to 4:00 pm

The short training sessions (Missing Link Solutions and the two hands-on trainings for B/VI and D/HoH) are two hours, at your convenience.

Additional or make-up training sessions are available at a fee to be paid by the facility. Once the available sessions are completed for the year, other training sessions may be available at a fee to be paid by the facility.

In this last year of this grant program, there are 74 sessions available on a first-come, first-served basis.  It is important that each month there are 6 to 7 training sessions scheduled, with no months low on trainings.  Please contact AT Trainer BJ Bolender to schedule training sessions. Comprehensive One-Stop locations that have received training are listed in the ATAZ website.  To see what sessions have been held in a site, go to that site location page.  Then click on the universal access logo to get to the page listing the AT Resources and Inventory for that site.  A list of all trainings is provided with sessions held checked.  Here is a sample link for one of the sites:
http://atarizona.com/CountyOne-Stops/Maricopa/GilbertAccessibilityResources.htm

Each One-Stop Center needs at the minimum, one of each of the main five sessions of training between June 2004 and June 2007.  There may be an added training session to cover client needs for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (serving those who cannot speak or don’t speak).  In the last year of this grant, all sites will want to consider repeating previous sessions of training. This is important as site needs change, personnel changes, technology changes, and changes in governmental programs happen.