News and Notes 481 September 29

birgitta.chaiken - Wed, 09/29/2021 - 14:00

In observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), throughout October, NARIC will feature NIDILRR-funded resources, events, and opportunities to participate in research related to employment and inclusion of employees with disabilities; This Just In... features a study investigating rehabilitation therapists' real-time decision-making processes regarding the use of rehabilitation technology in clinical treatment; Research in Focus looks at how failures of critical wheelchair parts could put wheelchair users at risk for breakdowns; the Rocky Mountain ADA Regional Center in collaboration with the Rural Institute at the University of Montana releases report, Is Working from the Ofice an Essential Job Function?; project directors for the Mid-Atlantic ADA Regional Center and the Rocky Mountain ADA Regional Center were interviewed for a story on Fox 45 News in Baltimore, Conference on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); researcher from the Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training in Rehabilitation Neuroscience and Engineering and the Northern New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury System Center receives the Stanley Moldawsky Mentor Award from the New Jersey Psychological Association; the Southeast ADA Regional Center hosts ADA Live! webcast, America's Recovery: Powered by Inclusive Employment; the Great Lakes ADA Regional Center hosts webinar, Plumbed Elements: Lavatories and Sinks, Washers and Dryers, and Saunas and Steam Rooms, discussing new recommendations provided by the US Access Board; Parents Empowering Parents: National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities and Their Families and the Community Living Policy Center invite workers with disabilities to share their employment experiences for their blog in honor of NDEAM; the Social Security Administration's Office of Employment Support hosts webinar, Debunking the Three Biggest Myths About Disability Benefits and Work.

Date sent: 
2021-09-29
NARIC news: 

Friday marks the beginning of October and the start of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). The Office of Disability Employment Policy at the Department of Labor selected America's Recovery: Powered by Inclusion as the theme for this year's campaign. Throughout October, we will feature NIDILRR-funded resources, events, and opportunities to participate in research related to employment and inclusion of employees with disabilities. Today's issue includes three NDEAM-ready features: Resource Highlight reports on whether in-office attendance is an essential job function; next week's ADA Live! event features self-advocates with disabilities discussing their employment experiences; and workers with disabilities are invited to share their experiences in a new blog series. How are you recognizing NDEAM? Use #NDEAM on social media and tag us so we can share in the celebration!

This Just In: 
A day in the life: A qualitative study of clinical decision‑making and uptake of neurorehabilitation technology. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, Volume 18(121). NARIC Accession Number: J87037.
New to the NARIC collection, this NIDILRR-funded study investigated rehabilitation therapists’ real-time decision-making processes regarding the use of rehabilitation technology (RT) in clinical treatment. Occupational therapists and physical therapists employed at a major, technology-encouraging rehabilitation hospital described why they would or would not use certain RT during treatment sessions with patients with stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and multiple sclerosis. Therapists characterized candidate RT as having a relative disadvantage compared to conventional treatment due to lack of relevance to functional training. RT design also often failed to consider the multi-faceted personal attributes of the patients, including diagnoses, goals, and physical and cognitive limitations. Clinicians were more comfortable with RT they had been previously trained on, but less comfortable with RT they thought was too complex. Finally, therapists have limited time to gather, setup, and use RT. Access the full abstract and ordering information in REHABDATA.
 
Research in Focus: 
Caster Failures Could Lead to Frequent Wheelchair Breakdowns, but Preventative Maintenance May Help
This week's Research In Focus looks at how failures of critical wheelchair parts could put wheelchair users at risk for breakdowns, leaving them without essential technology and at risk for injuries.
 
Resource Highlight: 
Report: Is Working from the Office an Essential Job Function?
The NIDILRR-funded Rocky Mountain ADA Regional Center (90DP0094), in collaboration with the Rural Institute at the University of Montana, has released a report, Is Working from the Office an Essential Job Function?. The rapid research report examines the legal framework of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the importance of classifying essential job functions, reviews how US courts have ruled in regards to the question of on-site work, and surveys recent research on the significant shift to telework during the COVID-19 pandemic. The companion document Is On-Site Work Attendance an Essential Job Function? (PDF) summarizes the findings further.
 
News items: 
ADA National Conference Featured on Fox45
Ann Deschamps, project director for the NIDILRR-funded Mid-Atlantic ADA Regional Center (90DP0094), and Emily Shuman, project director for the NIDILRR-funded Rocky Mountain ADA Regional Center (90DP0089), were interviewed for a story, Conference on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), on Fox 45 News in Baltimore. Deschamps and Shuman gave an overview of the ADA and the work of the ten ADA National Network Regional Centers, and promoted the 28th Annual ADA Conference presented last week in Baltimore.
 
NIDILRR Researcher Receives Mentor Award
John DeLuca, PhD, from the NIDILRR-funded Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training in Rehabilitation Neuroscience and Engineering (90ARHF0002) and the Northern New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury System Center (90DPTB0003), will receive the Stanley Moldawsky Mentor Award from the New Jersey Psychological Association. The award recognizes enduring and exemplary contributions to mentoring new psychologists and graduate doctoral-level students and advancing the field of psychology. Dr. DeLuca was nominated for his extensive work in the fields of neuropsychology and rehabilitation research, including directing the post-doctoral fellowship program in neuropsychology.
 
Grantee event: 
ADA Live! America's Recovery: Powered by Inclusive Employment
The NIDILRR-funded Southeast ADA Regional Center (90DP0090) will host a webcast, America's Recovery: Powered by Inclusive Employment, October 6th, 1-1:30 pm, the latest episode in the ADA Live! webcast series. In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a panel of self-advocates with disabilities will discuss their personal experiences in finding work, job accommodations, and the importance of employment and career to community inclusion. No registration is required. Questions may be submitted in advance.
 
Webinar: Plumbed Elements – Lavatories and Sinks, Washers and Dryers, and Saunas and Steam Rooms
The NIDILRR-funded Great Lakes ADA Regional Center (90DP0091) will host a webinar, Plumbed Elements: Lavatories and Sinks, Washers and Dryers, and Saunas and Steam Rooms, October 7th, 2:30 – 4 pm ET. Presenters will discuss the new guidance, clarifications, and best practice recommendations provided by the US Access Board. Presenters will explain how to meet various provisions for washers, dryers, lavatories, sinks, saunas, and steam rooms, and will address frequently asked questions and common sources of confusion. Registration is free and required. Questions may be submitted in advance. Continuing education recognition is available.
 
Participate: 
NIDILRR Projects Seek Submissions to Honor NDEAM
The NIDILRR-funded Parents Empowering Parents: National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities and Their Families (90DPGE0001) and the Community Living Policy Center (90RTCP0004) invite workers with disabilities to share their employment experiences for their blog in honor of the National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Written or video blog submissions may be centered on one or more of the following themes: Experiences as a worker with disabilities, experiences as a working parent with disabilities, and experiences working for a subminimum wage. Written submissions should be 1,000 words or less and video contributions should be three minutes or less. Entries will be accepted through October. Contributors of entries selected for publication will receive an honorarium of $100. Questions and requests may be submitted to Finn Gardiner at fgardiner@brandeis.edu.
 
Elsewhere in the Community: 
WISE Webinar: Debunking the Three Biggest Myths About Disability Benefits and Work
The Social Security Administration's Office of Employment Support will host a webinar, Debunking the Three Biggest Myths About Disability Benefits and Work, October 27th, 3-4:30 pm ET, part of the Work Incentive Seminar Events (WISE) Webinar Series. Presenters will discuss common myths about working while receiving benefits, such as the risk of automatically losing Medicare or Medicaid benefits, and will share information about the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives programs. Registration is free and required.
 
Archive link: 
http://www.icontact-archive.com/archive?c=654309&f=1190&s=26993&m=925731&t=635cba0a9267f719dd304fcd1ae764b160681b0bc4432192fe4b80b0dffecb7c