This community ended in January 2024. To broaden the reach of these sessions, we’re excited to share a one-pager summarizing the community, providing links to all session recordings, steps you can take to phase-out 14(c), and related resources. Access the one-pager here.
Despite legislative changes and common language across various laws regarding “economic self-sufficiency” and “integrated employment” there are thousands of individuals with disabilities segregated in employment settings working alongside other individuals with disabilities and being paid far less than the minimum wage. The latest legislation, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) prioritizes competitive integrated employment, where people with disabilities work in mainstream jobs alongside, and are paid comparable wages to, co-workers without disabilities. This eLearning Community will present information and allow discussion on ways to make that promise a reality.
Open to ALL AoD Grantees: CILs, DD Councils, P&As, UCEDDs, TBI, and CCE
Session Facilitators: National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)
Session Structure
Virtual Classes: 4 sessions at 90 minutes per session
Session Dates:
- Session One: October 19: 2:00-3:30PM/ET
- Session Two: November 16 from 2:00-3:30PM/ET
- Session Three: December 21 from 2:00-3:30PM/ET
- Session Four: January 18 from 2:00-3:30PM/ET
Session Topics include:
- Policy and legislative efforts
- Alternatives to 14c (e.g., E1st, discovery, VR, other options)
- Self-advocacy and messaging
- Systems change
About the Facilitators:
Cheryl Bates-Harris: Senior Disability Advocacy Specialist, Legal Services
As part of the Employment Team, Cheryl Bates-Harris is responsible for training and implementation of the Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security program, a program designed to assist social security beneficiaries achieve maximum economic self-sufficiency. She has extensive experience and expertise in Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and the Client Assistance Program (CAP), return-to-work issues (including job placement, supported and customized employment, reasonable job accommodations, and basic employment law), and Social Security programs and work incentives. She was appointed by President George Bush to serve on the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Advisory Panel. Cheryl has also worked in coalition with national groups on issues around Workforce Investment and the development of ‘One-Stops,’ Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Welfare to Work, and other employment-related initiatives.
After losing a job due to an accident, Cheryl dedicated her career to helping other people who can work but may need assistance or accommodation to be successful. Cheryl now has over thirty years of experience working with people with disabilities and has conducted nationwide trainings for P&As, CAPs, and community organizations on substantive CAP/VR, sheltered workshop and subminimum wage issues, and Social Security return to work. She is adamant that work is the only route out of poverty, and everyone should be able to find real work in the community at real wages.
Dan Stewart: Managing Attorney for Education and Employment, Legal Services
Dan Stewart joined NDRN in May 2022 as the Managing Attorney for Education and Employment. In that role, he primarily provides special education training/technical assistance to the Network and assists in overseeing training/technical assistance to CAP and PABSS work. Dan started with the Minnesota P&A (the Minnesota Disability Law Center) in 2006 and served as its Legal Director from 2019-2022. His disability rights specialties include special education and VR/PABSS employment issues. He has a B.A. in Social Thought and Political Economy from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and an M.A. in Educational Policy, a J.D. and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. His doctoral dissertation focused on school-based restraint and seclusion policies and practices.
Amy Scherer
Joining NDRN in December 2009, Amy Scherer provides training and technical assistance to the P&A network on issues related to Vocational Rehabilitation and the Client Assistance Program. She is a member of NDRN’s employment team which focuses on helping individuals with disabilities achieve competitive wages and integrated jobs in the community. Prior to arriving at NDRN, Amy worked for seven years at a vocational training facility for individuals with a variety of disabilities. Amy earned a B.A. in Psychology from Furman University, an M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling/Vocational Evaluation from Auburn University, and a J.D. from the St. Louis University School of Law.
Amy happens to be a wheelchair user, which has contributed to her strong interest in the areas of vocational rehabilitation and employment law. She wholeheartedly believes that all people with disabilities can work in the community. The keys are appropriate job matches as well as the effective implementation of reasonable accommodation.
Stephanie Flynt: Public Policy Analyst, Public Policy
Stephanie Flynt joined NDRN as a Public Policy Analyst in November of 2021. Her current work centers around voting rights, substance use, and veterans’ issues and their effects on disabled Americans. Prior to joining NDRN, Flynt worked as a Government Affairs Specialist at the National Federation of the Blind, where her primary focuses were education, labor and employment, Social Security, Transportation, parental rights, and health po disabled person have had a profound impact on how she approaches her work as a disability rights advocate.
