Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Council (PaRC) Newsletter: October 5, 2022

Please Help Spread the Word about the PaRC with Members of Your Community!

As a Council we aspire to grow our network of vital advocates that share our mission and ask that you please show your support by inviting others to sign up for our bi-monthly newsletter. The PaRC Newsletter is intended to broaden the conversation about the diverse issues affecting employment of people with disabilities. Those interested in receiving our newsletter may send an email to parc@parehabilitationcouncil.org with their contact info or fill out the contact form provided on the new PaRC website at the following link: https://parehabilitationcouncil.org/contact/

The PaRC website highlights all of the important work the Council does in pursuit of improving and increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities in Pennsylvania made possible through its partnership with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) along with its many valued stakeholders. The site provides access to information, resources, and documents for Council meetings, Committee work, membership, recruitment, mandates, partnerships, Annual Reports, history, news, Citizen Advisory Committees (CAC), and much more.

You may access the new PaRC website at the following link:

https://parehabilitationcouncil.org/

Pen on top of notebook post it notes and mug of coffee

Year-Round Employer Strategies for Advancing Disability Inclusion

"It's not over in October!"

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) activities don't have to end in October.

Learn more at the following link:

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam/year-round

Person with a disability holding a tray of pastries while working at a restaurant

Sharing Your Success

PaRC Social Media / Outreach Committee would like to highlight OVR Employment Success Stories on the PaRC website, social media, Annual Report, and other communications. If you or someone you know would be interested in sharing an important employment related milestone achieved with the assistance of OVR services, please let us know. Such achievements may include attaining a dream job, a promotion, an important anniversary of successful integrated competitive employment, or other successes.

Spotlighting the important work and successful attainment of employment that is made possible through OVR services is the foremost mechanism for the PaRC to fulfill its mission. Please feel free to contact us with your information, questions, or comments at parc@parehabilitationcouncil.org

The October 2022 theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation”

The poster is rectangular in shape with a black colored chalkboard background overlaid with mathematical equations In the center of the poster on a diagonal is a black rectangle bordered by small teal yellow and red rectangles It features the 2022 NDEAM th

NDEAM Poster Description: The poster is rectangular in shape with a black colored chalkboard background overlaid with mathematical equations. In the center of the poster, on a diagonal, is a black rectangle bordered by small teal, yellow and red rectangles. It features the 2022 NDEAM theme, “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation,” along with an equation composed of several graphics: a circular photo of a woman in a wheelchair working at a computer with colleagues, followed by a plus sign, followed by a square image of a woman who uses crutches viewing a document with a colleague, followed by an equal sign, followed by a light bulb icon. Across the top of the rectangle in small, white letters are the words National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Along the bottom in small white letters is the hashtag “NDEAM” followed by ODEP’s website address, dol.gov/ODEP. In the lower right corner in white lettering is the DOL seal followed by the words “Office of Disability Employment Policy United States Department of Labor.”

Learn more at the following link:

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam

The 31 Days of NDEAM

Searching for great ideas on how to celebrate NDEAM throughout October?

Visit the following link:

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam/ideas

Roundtable Discussion on NDEAM and Higher Education

In celebration of NDEAM, Erik Cliburn, senior staff writer for INSIGHT, recently spoke with several experts in higher education who advocate for people with disabilities, both in the classroom and in the workplace.

Learn more at the following link:

https://www.insightintodiversity.com/national-disability-employment-awareness-month/

Disability Pride in PA 2022

Interested in learning more about Disability Pride events in Central PA and throughout the Commonwealth? .

Visit the following link to learn more:

https://www.disabilitypridepa.org/

Word cloud of two blue hands forming a heart with words included advocate equality social justice

PaRC Council Member Openings

Please help spread t he word!

The PaRC is accepting applications for candidates to fill the following categories of representation that are currently open:

· Business/Industry/Labor (2 openings)

· Cognitive Disabilities

· Parent Training and Information Center (PEAL Center)

· Rehabilitation Counselor

· State Workforce Development Board

· Veteran

· Young Adult

As of July 2023, the categories of representation listed below will also be available. PaRC encourages all applicants to apply as early as possible to ensure a timely transition of membership:

· Business/Industry/Labor

If you are interested or know of someone who is interested in becoming a member of the PA Rehabilitation Council, please go to our new website (https://parehabilitationcouncil.org/get-involved/become-a-member/) and fill out an application.