Serving Individuals with
Most Significant Disabilities
Technical Assistance &
Continuing Education Center

Webinar Series

The Autism and Employment Learning Series – A Four Part Learning Series Including Live Webinars & Group Discussion

Sponsors: Southeast TACE Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University and the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities - University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

Description

The Autism & Employment Learning Community will provide vocational rehabilitation counselors and area directors with information, tools, and tips to communicate, interact, and support individuals with autism to reach integrated, competitive employment goals. It will be a forum for collaborative inquiry and learning related to enhancing participant’s effectiveness in meeting the needs of jobseekers with autism. Through all activities, participants will be supported while they learn to apply new ideas and information that will expand their capacity to create new conditions that will result in positive outcomes for individuals with autism.

During the first group discussion each participant will be expected to share ideas for and participate in a group project that will be collectively developed to assist each participant in presenting the “lessons learned” with their agency’s that they are interested in exploring further. The group project will take an additional 8 hours above and beyond the group discussions and webinar.

Webinars: July 2011 – November 2011

July 06, 2011 – Autism 101 - Introduction to Series

July 27, 2011 – Autism 101 - Communication & Support

September 7, 2011 – Real Lives, Real Stories

October 12, 2011 – From the Field

November 16, 2011 – Community Partnerships, Organization, & Employers

Presenters:

• Nila Benito
  Community Supports & Public Policy Coordinator, Florida Center for Inclusive Communities, University of South Florida
• Brenda Clark
  Employment Services Coordinator, Florida Center for Inclusive Communities, University of South Florida

Moderator

• Jill Houghton
  Deputy Director, TACE Southeast, Burton Blatt Institute, Syracuse University
  
  

Webinar Specifics

Webinar One - Autism 101 - Communication & Support

Date:Wednesday, July 27, 2011 
Time:12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET
Education Credit: CRCC 1.0 | CEU 0.1

Webinar Description & Content

As VR personnel who are working directly with individuals with autism what do I need to know about the disability in general that would make my work more effective? This webinar will address:

• Tips for Communicating & Interacting: Specific tips and tools that professionals may need to use during interactions and meetings with persons with autism. (i.e. Visuals,  Augmentative Communication, Behavior Support Strategies).
• Common Supports: A basic introduction supports and processes a person with autism may use and/or in communication and daily living. (i.e. Person Centered Planning, Peers)

Objectives & Outcomes

It is expected that VR staff who participate the webinar will have a basic understanding of autism and a familiarity of the characteristics of individuals on the autism spectrum as well as some of the general supports used by individuals with autism and professional who support them.

A Follow-Up Survey will be distributed immediately following the webinar

Group Discussion & Inquiry:

Date: Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET
Education Credit: CRCC 1.0 | CEU 0.1
During the group discussion each participant will be expected to share ideas for and participate in a group project that will be collectively developed to assist each participant in presenting the “lessons learned” with their agency’s that they are interested in exploring further. The group project will take an additional 8 hours above and beyond the group discussions and webinar.
*Content of this discussion will also include the responses to the survey questions.
This will provide an opportunity for participants to inquire and discuss:

• Follow-Up Questions about Autism
• Issues and Ideas that the group is interested in exploring further.

WEB BLAST: “What is Autism? Overview”
Date: Week of August 15, 2011

Webinar –Two: Real Lives, Real Stories

Date:Wednesday, September 7, 2011 
Time:12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET
Education Credit: CRCC 1.0 | CEU 0.1

Webinar Description & Content

The Real Lives, Real Stories webinar will give VR personnel specific, real cases of 3-6 transition age individuals with autism who have achieved competitive employment or are in the process of seeking and achieving competitive, customized employment. This webinar will address the stories and lives of at least 3 individuals with autism

• An overview including video of the individual.
• The process of how their goals are decided and a description of the employment outcome.
• The personal supports each person needs and how they are provided.
• The paid supports each person needs and how they are provided.
• Where the person is now and plans for near future.

Objectives & Outcomes

It is expected that VR staff who participate the webinar will learn about the variety of interests, skills, and needs of individuals with autism and the possibilities for employment. In addition, staff will be given general; and specific information about specific types of paid, unpaid, formal, and natural supports individuals may need.

A Follow-Up Survey will be distributed immediately following the webinar

Group Discussion & Inquiry:

Date: Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET
Education Credit: CRCC 1.0 | CEU 0.1
During the group discussion each participant will be expected to share ideas for and participate in a group project that will be collectively developed to assist each participant in presenting the “lessons learned” with their agency’s that they are interested in exploring further. The group project will take an additional 8 hours above and beyond the group discussions and webinar.
*Content of this discussion will also include the responses to the survey questions.
The group discussion will provide an opportunity for participants to explore:

• Follow-Up questions about the individual case studies
• Identification of would be difficult to implement, and
• Issues and Ideas that the group is interested in exploring further.

WEB BLAST: “Case Study Highlights”
Date: Week of Wednesday, September 26, 2011

Webinar –Three: From the Field

Date: Wednesday, October 12, 2011 
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET
Education Credit: CRCC 1.0 | CEU 0.1

Webinar Description & Content

VR Counselors will share information and specific details about the effective approaches and supports they utilize for clients with autism including:

• IPE planning and development
• Augmentative communication and assistive technology
• Utilizing CRP’s: how and when?
• Assisting individuals with autism during Transition.
• Involvement of parents and other natural supports

Objectives & Outcomes

It is expected that VR staff who participate the webinar will gain knowledge from peers who are VR Counselors who have experience supporting individuals with autism in achieving their employment goals. The counselors with autism experience will share specific details about what has worked and not worked — with a focus on how they overcame barriers and concerns. Webinars participants will learn how they can use this information in their work.

A Follow-Up Survey will be distributed immediately following the webinar

Group Discussion & Inquiry:

Date: Monday, October 31, 2011
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET
Education Credit: CRCC 1.0 | CEU 0.1
During the group discussion each participant will be expected to share ideas for and participate in a group project that will be collectively developed to assist each participant in presenting the “lessons learned” with their agency’s that they are interested in exploring further. The group project will take an additional 8 hours above and beyond the group discussions and webinar.
*Content of this discussion will also include the responses to the survey questions.
This will provide an opportunity for participants to inquire and discuss:

• Follow-Up questions about the webinar
• Identification of would be difficult to implement, and
• Issues and Ideas that the group is interested in exploring further.

WEB BLAST: “Tips from the Field”
Date: Week of October 31, 2011

Webinar –Four: Community Partnerships, Organizations, & Employers

Date:Wednesday, November 16, 2011 
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET
Education Credit: CRCC 1.0 | CEU 0.1

Webinar Description & Content

A variety of community partners, organizations, and employers will share their experiences collaborating on the employment outcomes of individuals with autism and the possibilities for employment. Those involved in this webinar are to be determined.

Objectives & Outcomes

It is projected outcomes for the VR staff who participate the webinar will receive information from community partners, organizations, and employers have experience collaborating as team members who have supported individuals with autism in achieving their employment goals. These partners will share their specific roles and experiences. Webinars participants will learn how they can use this information to develop partnerships.

A Follow-Up Survey will be distributed immediately following the webinar

Group Discussion & Inquiry:

Date: Wednesday, November 30 , 2011
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET
Education Credit: CRCC 1.0 | CEU 0.1
During the group discussion each participant will be expected to share ideas for and participate in a group project that will be collectively developed to assist each participant in presenting the “lessons learned” with their agency’s that they are interested in exploring further. The group project will take an additional 8 hours above and beyond the group discussions and webinar.
*Content of this discussion will also include the responses to the survey questions.
The group discussion will provide an opportunity for participants to explore:

• Follow-Up questions about the webinar
• Identification of would be difficult to implement, and
• Issues and Ideas that the group is interested in exploring further.

WEB BLAST: “Community Partnerships, Organization, & Employers Highlights”
Date: Week of December 5, 2011