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Nbqqpssc — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:17:47 GMT

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Wtrmczjn — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:25:03 GMT

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Wtrmczjn — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:24:52 GMT

ID Action offering grants!

ID Action — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:12:06 GMT

Check out our grants that are available!

Iowa Department for the Blind Has Two Job Openings

Joshua Bronsink — Fri, 22 May 2009 19:09:28 GMT

Below are two job postings for the Iowa Department for the Blind. Please forward to anyone you know who may be interested in applying.

STATE OF IOWA

Senior Services Specialist for the Blind 1

Rehabilitation Teacher

Provides those services necessary to help individuals who are blind or visually impaired develop the confidence and skills needed to independently and competently participate in their families, communities, and occupations of choice. Works primarily with older individuals and with individuals who have significant co-disabilities. Provides services on an outreach basis. Assesses needs to help determine services that will best serve the individual and works with the individual to develop and implement a plan to meet identified needs. Provides instruction in the alternative techniques of blindness (including Braille, travel with the long white cane, use of assistive technology, home management, and leisure activities). Provides guidance and counseling about vision loss to promote a positive adjustment to blindness. Assists individuals access various community resources by providing information and referral services, and advocacy.

Follows prescribed case management practices and provides narrative reports inclusive of needs assessments, plans to meet identified needs, rationale for service decisions, description of services provided, and results achieved. Coordinates and facilitates agency services such as library services and training in the Adult Orientation and Adjustment Center. Works in tandem with the vocational rehabilitation counselor to support clients in the pursuit of their vocational goals.

Provides consultation and in-service training to other agencies so they can better serve their clients who are blind. Delivers presentations to civic, social, and professional organizations to increase awareness about department services and promote a positive philosophy of blindness. Assists with other department outreach activities.

Must possess knowledge of or be able to learn effective alternative techniques of blindness, particularly in the areas of communications, travel with a long white cane, and home and personal management. Must possess highly developed teaching and counseling skills, good public speaking and writing skills, excellent organizational skills, and excellent judgment. Must possess the abilities to handle sensitive situations, solve problems, and work as a member of a team. Intensive training in appropriate skills and attitudes of blindness will be provided. Extensive statewide travel. Some evenings, overnights, and weekends.

Minimum qualifications are:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in human service-oriented sciences, education, marketing, or business and experience equal to three years of full time professional work, or;

the equivalent of three years of full-time experience as a rehabilitation counselor or teacher shall be considered as qualifying provided the employee has successfully completed training to meet the certification criteria established by the agency, or;

an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting the equivalent of one year of full-time professional work experience for each year of the required education to a maximum substitution of four years.

Salary range: $42,369.60$64,521.60 annually, plus comprehensive benefit package, Pay Grade 28, Pay Plan 000

Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday

Locations: Iowa Department for the Blind, 524 Fourth Street, Des Moines, IA 50309-2364

For further information contact Becky Criswell, Supervisor, (515) 281-1299 or (800) 362-2587. Persons who wish to be considered for this position must submit a resume and letter of application to Karen A. Keninger, Director, Iowa Department for the Blind, 524 Fourth Street, Des Moines, IA 50309 or karen.keninger@blind.state.ia.us no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 5, 2009.

EEO/AA

State of Iowa
Senior Services Specialist for the Blind 1

(Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor)

two full time, merit exempt, at-will positions

Candidates must be willing to live and work in eastern or western Iowa/extensive travel with overnight stays away from domicile.

Senior Services Specialist for the Blind 1, field operations division. Make initial contacts using a variety of referral sources which may require obtaining data from remote sources; describe agency and non-agency programs which may be available to a prospective client. Provide comprehensive, intensive counseling services to new referrals to encourage and motivate these individuals to avail themselves of agency services. Stress the agencys positive philosophy and attitude toward blindness, encouraging individuals to do self assessments based on abilities rather than disabilities. Assist the client with an application for services. Gather relevant medical, vocational, psychological, educational, and family information. Maintain knowledge of medical terminology and medical treatments especially related to the eye and visual functioning so that a determination as to the severity of the impairment can be made. Determine eligibility for agency programs, given a thorough knowledge of agency programs, making referrals to other programs as necessary. Counsel extensively regarding provision of SSDI benefits and Supplemental Security Income, with special emphasis on specific work incentives built into each of these programs.

Assist clients in determining strengths and weaknesses regarding a variety of career and social goals. Use counseling and persuasion techniques to provide advice and guidance in highly emotionally charged and near crisis situations. Counsel clients in order to obtain and maintain positive attitudes toward their blindness and secondary disabilities as they relate to all aspects of social and career environments. Make delicate judgments regarding a clients self-esteem and abilities over the course of an extended period of time; producing clear documentation which outlines the intended nature of planning and the desired outcome in all areas of counseling situations.

Collaborate with client in determining and realizing career goals. Evaluate and assess capabilities, attitudes, skills, and work potential of blind persons and make recommendations which will remediate accordingly. Develop IPEs, in cooperation with the client, outlining specific means of achieving a vocational objective in a specified time. Coordinate and direct services which might include guidance and counseling, college or vocational training, orientation center training, learning alternative techniques of blindness, adaptive occupational or training tools, assistive technology devices, adaptive skills training, job training, placement services, job retention, and follow-up services. Assume responsibility for fiscally prudent, sound judgment in completing authorizations for expenditure of agency funds according to state and federal guidelines. Maintain contact with clients in training and employment to monitor progress, solve current problems or potential problems. Provide transition services to students, working cooperatively with local area education agencies and school systems. Teach clients necessary attitude and skills including job seeking/job keeping attitudes and skills, Braille, orientation and mobility with use of long white cane, typing, public transportation schedules and accessibility, and job specific alternative techniques of blindness. Work alongside with client in new job to teach specific techniques and skills. Review training progress on a regular basis and consult with client and service providers to facilitate the process. Coordinate intra-agency services including: rehabilitation teaching, job development, assistive technology services, business enterprises program, library services, orientation center training, deaf-blind specialist services, and volunteer services.

Independently prioritize workload to maximize effective use of time, resources, and agency assets. Submit necessary reports, case recordings, authorizations, and correspondence in a timely, accurate manner. Maintain client case files and other records in an organized, timely, specified format. Make full use of similar benefits where appropriate, including: scholarships or grants, private or public disability insurance benefits, workers compensation benefits, welfare entitlement programs, job training programs, client or family resources or earnings or other sources.

Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with employers and organized labor in a variety of industries to enable successful employment for clients. Develop employer mentoring and partnerships. Maintain working knowledge of small business development. Use job coaches for supported employment services where appropriate. Consult with employers and blind employees in an effort to assist in the area of job retention or job modification. This function requires a working knowledge of current technologies and techniques being used to assist persons in successfully retaining or advancing employment. Provide comprehensive job development, job placement and follow-up services to employers and blind persons, matching job-ready clients to specific, appropriate jobs and employers. Analyze specific jobs and seek remediation through job remodification, restructuring, development of new technologies, techniques or adaptive devices. Anticipate any potential problems, attitudinal or technical, with specific jobs, employers or clients and investigate means of correcting these problems through education, counseling, job modification, adaptive techniques or devices or other means. Assist employers in making necessary changes to enable them to retain, in employment, those employees who might develop significant vision problems. Encourage employer to make early referral of such cases for vocational rehabilitation services from our agency. Also encourage referrals from labor unions. Draft job development/job placement materials and disseminate to employers, organized labor, and professional organizations.

Advocate, consult, advise, educate, mediate, and intercede with service providers, employers, and the general public. Design and complete presentations for educational, professional, social organizations, and consumer groups regarding the function and purpose of the agency. Maintain a working knowledge of all aspects of the agency and services provided. Encourage and promote support groups of the blind.

Minimum qualifications are:

Salary range: $ 42,369.60 - $ 64,521.60 annually, plus comprehensive benefit package, pay grade 28, pay plan 000

Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday

For further information contact Karen A. Keninger, Director, at 515-281-1334 or 800-362-2587. Persons who wish to be considered for this position must submit a resume and letter of application to Karen A. Keninger, Iowa Department for the Blind, 524 Fourth Street, Des Moines, IA 50309 no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 5, 2009.

EEO/AA

Register for Advocating Change Day!

ID Action — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:43:59 GMT

You can now register for Advocating Change Day on April 1, 2009!

To learn more about Advocating Change Day, click here.

We hope to see you there!

Johnston theater has technology to help people who are deaf or blind

Lara — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:52:10 GMT

The Wynnsong theater in Johnston has new technology that will help people who are deaf or blind enjoy movies.

http://www.kcci.com/news/18249931/detail.html

2008 Presidential Debates Schedule

ID Action — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:48:51 GMT

Presidential Debate Calendar

October 2: Vice Presidential Debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, moderated by PBS's Gwen Ifill

October 7: Presidential Debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, moderated by NBC's Tom Brokaw

October 15: Presidential Debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, moderated by CBS's Bob Schieffer

All debates start at 8 p.m. (Central Time Zone) and are organized by the Commission on Presidential Debates.

Presidential Candidates' Positions on Disability Issues

ID Action — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:03:52 GMT

Be an informed voter! Check out a side-by-side comparison of presidential candidates positions on disability-related issues prepared by The Ohio Legal Rights Service.

http://olrs.ohio.gov/prescompare.htm

Disaboom Poll: 91% of People with Disabilities Believe They Don't Have a Political Voice

ID Action — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:51:38 GMT

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/91-people-disabilities-believe-they/story.aspx?guid=%7B04FD55A1-D275-429B-92D3-D661038BA0EC%7D&dist=hppr

Great site for toys for kids with developmental disabilities!

Ashley — Thur, 11 Sep 2008 18:30:33 GMT

Toys"R"Us now has a Toy Guide available with qualified toy recommendations for kids with developmental disabilities.

The Guide assists parents, family, friends and professionals by providing toy suggestions to aid in skill development:

http://www.Toysrus.com/DifferentlyAbled.

Online community and resources for people with disabilities

ID Action — Thur, 19 Jun 2008 20:02:04 GMT

Here is a great web site with articles and resources related to disability issues. You can also connect with other people with disabilities.

http://www.disaboom.com/

Senator Grassley Town Meetings

Josh Bronsink — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:01:47 GMT

Here are eleven opportunities to see and work with Iowa's Senior Senator.

Monday, June 30
Calhoun County Town Meeting
7:30-8:30 a.m.
Lake City Public Library
Meeting Room
110 East Washington Street
Lake City

Pocahontas County Town Meeting
10:00-11:00 a.m.
Laurens Public Library
273 North 3rd Street
Laurens

Cherokee County Town Meeting
1:45-2:45 p.m.
Aurelia Community Center
235 Main Street
Aurelia

Plymouth County Town Meeting
4:15-5:15 p.m.
American Bank
Lower Level Meeting Room
234 5th Avenue SW
Le Mars

Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Woodbury County Town Meeting
1:00-2:00 p.m.
Anthon Community Center
110 North 5th Avenue
Anthon

Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Ida County Town Meeting
7:30-8:30 a.m.
Ida Grove Community Rec Center
311 Barnes Street
Ida Grove

Sac County Town Meeting
9:15-10:15 a.m.
Odebolt Public Library
200 South Walnut
Odebolt

Carroll County Town Meeting
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Glidden City Hall
Meeting Room
108 Idaho Street
Glidden

Crawford County Town Meeting
1:45-2:45 p.m.
Denison Municipal Utilities
Community Room
721 Broadway
Denison

Monona County Town Meeting
4:15-5:15 p.m.
Onawa Public Library
707 Iowa Avenue
Onawa

Thursday, July 3, 2008
Shelby County Town Meeting
10:00-11:00 a.m.
Harlan Public Library
718 Court Street
Harlan

Resources for Emergency Preparedness

Lara — Thur, 12 Jun 2008 19:02:26 GMT

We've all seen the devastation as a result of the tornadoes and flooding. Please remember to take some time to prepare yourself and your family for an emergency.

Here are links to a few web sites that can help you prepare and answer some frequently asked questions.

American Red Cross Central Iowa Chapter: http://www.desmoines-redcross.org/
Protect Iowa Health: http://www.protectiowahealth.org/
Iowa Department of Public Health: http://www.idph.state.ia.us/adper/flood.asp

Vote 2008 Grant Guidelines

ID Action — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:10:33 GMT

ID Action Vote 2008 Grant Guidelines

For the 2008 presidential elections, ID Action wants to invest in activities that will encourage Iowans with disabilities to vote on Election Day, November 4, 2008. ID Action will make awards of $500 - $2,000 available. The funds may be used for community get out the vote efforts. Since ID Action is a nonpartisan political action program, the grants may be used for initiatives such as educational workshops, grassroots activities to register Iowans with disabilities to vote, coalition building activities, voter forums, etc. However, the grants may not be used for partisan purposes, such as advocating for a particular political party, candidate or issue. Use your imagination and be creative in your efforts to organize vote-related events! Grants are only available for a limited time, so submit your application early to increase your chances of receiving a grant.

Participant Eligibility / Requirements:

The person submitting the request must be an ID Action participant.

In a letter to ID Action, please provide the following details:

o Explain what specifically the funds will be used for and how your efforts will encourage people with disabilities to go to the polls.

o Explain how the funds will help your efforts and estimate how many people with disabilities you are planning to reach and encourage to vote.

o Provide the date, place and time of the activities / meetings / events.

o Provide background on your planned activities / meetings / events.

o Provide personal daytime and evening contact information.

After the activities / meetings / events, provide a written summary that includes number of people attended, action/activities, outcomes and next steps. (Also, please include any materials produced for the meeting.)

Send to ID Action a copy of all receipts totaling the grant amount.

The activities / meetings / events must take place in Iowa.
While families of people with disabilities and other advocates may participate, attendance must be made up of at least 50 percent of people with disabilities.
During the event / activity / meeting the grantee must acknowledge ID Action and encourage participants to register for ID Action.
All voter outreach activities must be completed by November 4, 2008.
Send request letters to:

ID Action
P.O. Box 71369
Des Moines, Iowa 50325

Contractor Responsibilities:

Once a request letter is received, a decision to award the grant will be made in 10 business days or less.

ID Action reserves the right to use the grantees in current or future promotional activities.

For questions or additional information visit http://www.idaction.org for grant guidelines, or call 1-866-432-2846.