A Descriptive List of Web Links Related to PAS

On January 1, 2009, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments Act of 2008 went into effect, making some major changes to the way the definition of disability has been interpreted in the past. The changes apply to both the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act. Very few people argue that these changes were not needed - the courts had interpreted the definition of disability so narrowly that hardly anyone could meet it - but the challenge now is understanding what the changes are and who is covered as of January 1st. We do not yet have any regulations nor do we have any court interpretation; all we currently have are the words of the Amendments Act and its legislative history. With that said, let's take a look at what we know so far.

From the Department of Labor, Career One Stop is a collection of tools that can help you find a job, learn more about careers, and find employment services in your area.

To find US and state resources for employment of people with disabilities, the Center has a directory of government agencies you can locate by state.

The Center, an affiliate of the National Association of State Medicaid Directors (NASMD), is a technical assistance center that is dedicated to helping states enhance employment support programs. One of the Center's six task forces addresses current rules and regulations for workplace PAS, factors in the work place, and related concerns. Minutes of task force meetings, beginning in January 2003, as well as a small list of publications on workplace PAS are available.

Vocational Rehabilitation is a program available in each state specifically to help people with disabilities work. The services can range from job training to counseling and transportation services. This website from the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation provides a contact list of each state's program.

Disability Benefits 101 (DB101) helps workers, job seekers, and service providers understand the connections between work and benefits. Although focused on California, it features a section on workplace PAS as well as practical information for employers or consumers, including frequently asked questions, policy updates publications list, and more.

Disability.gov, is a redesigned federal Web site that connects more than 50 million Americans with disabilities to thousands of trusted resources on disability-related issues, programs and services. Formerly known as DisabilityInfo.gov, the site has been completely redesigned and updated with new social media tools, such as a blog and a Twitter feed, to encourage feedback and interaction among visitors. Disability.gov is not just for Americans with disabilities, but also for parents of children with disabilities, employers, workforce and human resource professionals, veterans, educators, caregivers and many others.

The Employer Assistance & Recruiting Network (EARN) is a free service that connects employers looking for quality employees with skilled job candidates. This web site is a source of disability employment information including:

• recruiting services
• tools and resources
• employer success stories
• business case for hiring people with disabilities

ICI offers training, clinical, and employment services, conducts research, and provides assistance to organizations to promote inclusion of people with disabilities in school, work, and community activities. Publication topics listed on the site include: employment, disability policy, finding and keeping a job, health care, social security benefits and eduction.

Of interest to those seeking employment are "Flexible funding stories" which describe funding approaches used by people with disabilities in order to obtain employment, often involving the hiring of personal assistants or job coaches in the workplace.

Maine PASA is an association that promotes professionalism and development for the direct care, direct support and personal assistance workforce to support the highest quality of life for elders and people with disabilities.

NCWD is a source of information about employment and youth with disabilities. Summaries of publications on disability and employment can be sorted according to 5 classes of users: Administrators, Employer/Business, Youth Service Practitioners, Policymakers, and Youth or Family. Outlines of disability-related legislation highlight eligibility requirements and services they provide.

The NCHSD is a technical assistance partnership providing flexible, state-tailored technical assistance to states developing comprehensive health and employment service systems for people with disabilities who want to work.

A report on Personal Assistance Services in the Workplace.

Fact sheets provide monthly, individual state statistics that includes total expenditures and number of recipients receiving Disability Income and Supplemental Security Income benefits.

A description of programs and policies that help SSI and SSDI recipients increase their earnings without losing their benefits. Two such programs are the Program for Achieving Self-Sufficiency (PASS), and the Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE).

Virginia Commonwealth University. Publishes reports and manuals on obtaining or managing workplace personal assistance services. Among them, Personal Assistance in the Workplace: A Customer-Directed Guide, 2003, (http://www.worksupport.com/Main/pass.asp) and Employer View of Workplace Supports (http://www.worksupport.com/Main/rrtcpapers.asp)