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The Region VI CRP-RCEP e-News Bulletin is published monthly through a grant awarded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration to the Department of Rehabilitation, Social Work & Addictions at the University of North Texas.

Editorial Staff

Editor
Martha Garber
Project Director

Contributing Authors
Margaret J. Cortez
Marcy Haag
Jim Humes
Yvonne Raffini
Zach Sneed

Principal Investigator
Linda Holloway

Any comments about the content or design of this e-Newsletter should be directed to Martha Garber

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Image of Martha GarberFrom the desk of: Martha Garber

Disclosure is not a simple decision, with or without a visible disability. When requesting a reasonable accommodation, some degree of disclosure is required by law. Often, the younger a person is the less likely they are to realize the hazards of disclosure. As with all decisions, whether choosing to or not to disclose, there are positive and negative implications — and these could change over time. For example, disclosure of a mental health disability is initially received with unexpected openness and, in time, the openness may turn to over-concern about relapse when someone is just having a bad day. If choosing to disclose, deciding who, what, and when to tell can also be anxiety producing. However, with all that said, there is one clear point surrounding disclosure: the decision to disclose rests with the person who has the disability. In this issue, we will Marthareview some resources that may assist a person in making a decision and, if they choose to disclose, some ideas about how to approach disclosure.

Disclosure & Transition Students

Working with youth and the issue of disclosure brings with it more complex issues of self-determination and student-centered planning. The resources below can be helpful when working with youth.

Disclosure & Mental Health

The decision to disclose a mental health disability is quite complex and requires careful consideration. Even if we must disclose the disability to receive a reasonable accommodation, how much do we disclose and to whom. Below are some tools to help us think through the process for both youth and adults.

Disclosure & Reasonable Accommodations

Disclosure of a disability is required when requesting a job modification. The resources below can assist in deciding what to disclose when a reasonable accommodation is needed, as well as a definition of and ideas for a reasonable accommodation.

ADA Restoration Act of 2007

Seventeen years after passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the employment rate for individuals with disabilities has not improved yet the desire to work remains high. One reason for this is that the ADA of 1990 has been weakened by a series of court findings against individuals with disabilities who charge discrimination or other unequal treatment in the workplace.

A bill was introduced in Congress last summer to restore the ADA of 2007 to the original intent of Congress which was to ensure the rights of individuals with disabilities to be judged based on work performance.

For more information on this critical issue visit ADAWatch.org.

Transitions

After four years at the helm and 33 years of public service, Terry Smith, Assistant Commissioner for DARS/DRS, and long-time friend of the Region VI CRP-RCEP, has decided to take a break citing February 29, 2008 as his last day with the agency.

We wish you an enjoyable break Terry and look forward to your return to the rehabilitation community.

Marsha Blackmon has been selected as the new Rehabilitation Program Manager (Training Director) for Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS). Marsha is a valuable resource on our Advisory Committee and is well qualified for the position.

Congratulations Marsha!

Training Schedule

Feb 8, 15, 22, 2008: Social Security Disability Benefits & Impact of Work, Online Webinar

February 12-13, 2008: Supported Employment: Basic Skills Clinic, San Antonio, Texas

February 26-27, 2008: Supported Employment: Basic Skills Clinic, Hot Springs, Arkansas

March 1, 2008: Job Coaching, El Paso, Texas

March 12-13, 2008: Supported Employment: Basic Skills Clinic, New Orleans, Louisiana

Back by popular demand... Social Security Benefits and Impact of Work training beginsGraphic image: Have You Heard? Friday, February 8. Attend right from your desktop!  For e-news subscribers, registration will remain open through Wednesday, February 6. Click here for details & registration.

Upcoming Conferences

NCRE Spring Conference, February 14-16, 2008, San Antonio, TX

CSAVR Spring Conference 2008, April 20-23, 2008, Behesda, MD

National ADA Symposium & Expo, May 12-14, 2008, St. Louis, Missouri

On January 29, 2008,  the Department of Education published a notice of proposed priority to restructure the rehabilitation continuing education programs (RCEPs) nationally. The new structure would create regional technical assistance and continuing education centers (TACE) that would focus on both state vocational rehabilitation agencies and their partners such as centers for independent living, client assistance programs, and community rehabilitation programs.

The funding normally used for the CRP-RCEP & General RCEPs would be combined to fund new regional centers that focus on increasing the quality and quantity of employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

The notice of priority is published to give you an opportunity to tell the Department of Education what you think about their proposal. The deadline date for your comments is February 28. The Region VI CRP-RCEP is funded under the RCEP authority.

Read the text of the notice here.

What Would You Like to Hear About in Future Issues of e-News?

Send your comments and story ideas to e-News Bulletin Project Director & Editor, Martha Garber.

This project is in part supported under a grant from the Department of Education. However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education and endorsement by the Federal Government should not be assumed.