Workshops and Training Sessions

• Disability Awareness and Responsibilities Training (D.A.R.T.) with Disabilities Act Compliance Training Fair
• Housing Compliance Training Workforce Diversity Training Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities
• Disability Awareness and Responsibilities Training (D.A.R.T.)
  

Introduction Disability Awareness and Responsibilities (D.A.R.T.) is a unique training opportunity addressing two sides of an issue that is frequently looked at from only one side. Historically, people with disabilities have sought to enlighten the non-disabled population as to the needs, concerns and abilities of people with disabilities. There is no question that this is necessary.

The other side of the coin, however, reveals a community of people with disabilities who are often afforded only limited opportunities to be sensitized about the implications of disabilities beyond their own, and are seldom exposed to a true sense of what the other side, i.e., non-disabled people experience in the presence of, or in job related activities with people with disabilities.

D.A.R.T. is a disability focused training program that will de-mystify many of the misconceptions and correct many of the stereotypes surrounding people with disabilities. The primary objective of this training is to establish a credible source of reference and enhance communications and other interactions between people with disabilities and non-disabled individuals.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance Training I.    The ADA: A Brief Overview -- The five titles of the ADA
II.   Title I: Employment -- From Recruitment to Termination
III.  Title III: Places of Public Accommodations -- The Changing Face of America

Fair Housing Compliance Training Overview Introduction

During this training session, we will discuss:

• Federal and State laws and standards that require accessibility in covered multifamily dwelling units coverage of the Fair Housing Amendment Acts basic disability rights protections.

• The consequences of non-compliance with the accessibility laws.

• The technical requirements of the Fair Housing Amendment Act and specifications for each requirement.

• Suggestions for achieving compliance with the Fair Housing Act and why compliance is important Resources you can turn to when you need more information
  
  

At the end of the session, you will be able to:

• Describe the Fair Housing Acts design and construction requirements Identify other disability rights laws that may apply to housing Describe the consequences that may occur for non-compliance with the accessibility laws.

• List the types of properties that are subject to the Fair Housing Act
  

Workforce Diversity Training

• The Diversity Training Program is based on one very simple and undeniable fact-as an employee of XYZ Company, you are an important part of a team that provides a valuable service to your community.

• A team of very special people-people who care about establishing a workplace environment that is respectful and considerate of all people.
  
  
• No matter what your daily work involves, you are important because there is a reason and a purpose for every job.

• If each of us, regardless of our jobs, displays an image of personal and professional competence, human warmth, understanding, concern and a positive attitude, we can make all the difference in the world.

• Our employees and co-workers need all of this from each of us if we are to maintain and build upon our reputation as an outstanding employer.
  
  
• The Diversity Training Program has been designed to increase understanding of the needs of all employees. We can all learn some basic and effective techniques that we can use to build upon our reputation as a business and to make it a better place than ever in which to work.
  

Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities

• In this training we will present the functional, as well as the technical aspects of the issues and concerns facing people with disabilities when it comes to emergency preparedness and emergency evacuation from multi-story buildings.

• We will use an open interactive discussion presentation style that invites, and responds to comments and inquiries from the participants. Power Point slides will be used to provide visual examples of some of the accessibility issues raised during the discussions. Each participant will be given a presentation handout developed by Abilities UNlimited, and outlines the salient aspects of emergency preparedness that are covered in the training.
  
  
• The Emergency Preparedness workshop will be evaluated using a standard evaluation form that has been developed by Abilities UNlimited, Inc. This post workshop evaluation process has been used in past training programs conducted for public and private sector entities, including the National Fire Protection Association World Conference in Salt Lake City, UT (May 2004); State Independent Living Council National Congress held in Paradise Valley (January 2005) and Programs for Accessible Living (P.A.L.) in Charlotte, NC (September 2004), and others. The evaluation form allows for written comments as well as evaluating the quality of each individual session. These evaluations are collected by the trainer, recorded, and responses are summarized and categorized. The assessment of the evaluations will help focus and add momentum to current and on-going efforts to identify the need for, and nature of future training in this area.
  
  
• The objectives of the training are two-fold: First, there is a discussion about the use of elevators in emergency situations and alternatives when this is not a viable choice. The second objective is to provide a knowledge based sensitivity training related to the needs, concerns, and abilities of people with disabilities in emergency situations and how best to provide assistance.
  
  
• This training will include the following sessions:
  A brief overview of what constitutes an emergency situation. Provide industry as well as experiential descriptions of the functional limitations associated with the use of elevators and areas of refuge in multi-story buildings.
  
  
• Identify and discuss recommendations for assisting people with disabilities in the four major categories of disabilities (Cognitive Impairment; Deafness and Hard of Hearing; Mobility Impairment; Blindness and Visual Impairment).
  
  
• Discuss pre-planning strategies for emergency situations in the workplace and in the home. This will include important issues for emergency planners and first responders, as well as people with disabilities.
  
  
• When asked in the Training Evaluation, What do you consider the strengths/ weaknesses of this workshop? The responses included statements such as:
  
  
• Strengths were the knowledge, experiences of the presenters. Great job!
  
  
• No weaknesses. Strengths were the instructors thorough knowledge, sense of humor and real examples
  
  
• I believe the information was given in an open and straight-forward way. At first, I could see we were a bit uncomfortable about the subject; however, the instructors put us at ease, and made it an enjoyable experience. I learned a lot about disabilities and how to handle a person with a disability not only during an emergency, but in everyday life.