| | |
                        | 
Employment Services WorkABILITY WorkABILITY, a new initiative to provide employment resources for persons with disabilities, was launched in October as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. It is a collaboration between New Trier Township, Jewish Vocational Service, disabilityworks, and New Trier Township High School's Special Education Department. The WorkABILITY program is designed to facilitate the employment of persons with disabilities by providing a centralized service within New Trier Township, at no charge to residents. The program operates at two levels. First, individuals with disabilities, including special needs students, can meet with an employment specialist at the New Trier Township office to create an employment plan. Second, a community education campaign will provide employers and the community at large with information highlighting the opportunities for the employment of persons with disabilities and dispelling lingering myths about them. Approximately 9% of people in New Trier Township live with at least one kind of disability, and most Americans will experience a disability at some time in the course of their lives. Persons with disabilities make up 7% of the working age population, yet almost 30% of persons with disabilities are unemployed, according to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2000. A Harris Poll in 2000 found that among unemployed persons with disabilities, two out of three want to work. Learn more and download a WorkABILITY program fact sheet. |
|
Disability Workplace Advocacy Added to Township Speakers Bureau  From left to right (Front row) Earl Jordan, disabilityworks Resource Coordinator, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce; Nanette Cohen, Director, Employment Development, Career Planning Center, Jewish Vocational Service-Chicago. Back row: Patricia B. Cantor, Supervisor, New Trier Township; Diane Wojcik, Transition/Vocational Coordinator, New Trier Township High School, and Bob Shen, Trustee, New Trier Township. Presentations are now available from the Township and members of its WorkABILITY program for educational, professional, civic, business, religious and community groups. The program, "Dispelling the Myths of People with Disabilities in the Work Force" was presented to the Winnetka-Northfield and Wilmette Rotary groups in October and November 2008. "Unlocking the Door to Workplace Opportunities" is a seminar program for persons with disabilities and their caretakers. Participants learn about "Transitional Services from School to the Workplace", along with "Disclosing a Disability & Asking for Accommodations," and "Navigating the Maze of Work Incentives." To schedule a presentation for your group, call 847-446-8202 or email Communications Director. Information & Referral Service In addition to the WorkABILITY program, New Trier Township provides free of charge employment information and referrals to those seeking employment. For further information, please call Employment Services at 847-446-8202. |