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Project Descriptions
Use the following links to view a description for each of our current
projects. Or you may just scroll down the page to read about each
project.
CIETAT
Community Integrated Employment Training and Technical Assistance
provides services on community employment for people with disabilities
to service providers, state vocational rehabilitation, mental retardation
personnel, mental health personnel, teachers, employers, university
staff and students, families and people with disabilities. This
project is funded by the Tennessee Division of Rehabilitation Services
and Tennessee Division of Mental Retardation Services.
Three consultants based in Knoxville, Nashville and Memphis provide
on-site consultation and training on supported employment to service
providers, businesses, students and faculty and the public. To over
100 providers of employment services in the State, the consultants
are the link to disability employment issues and practices. The
consultants are asked to provide current employment and disability
information to the University system on a regular basis. Each year
the consultants speak to rehabilitation and special education students,
giving real world experiences and best practice trends. Through
their daily activities, the consultants offer students in a variety
of colleges a living laboratory to compliment their academic studies.
In addition, the general public, disability advocacy groups and
people with disabilities meet with the consultants to learn about
the latest trends in employment.
Employment provider forums offer an opportunity for all stakeholders
to meet and discuss issues, learn about best practices, and clarify
policies. An annual employment conference (ACES) gives all stakeholders
and employers the opportunity to meet, hear and discuss the disability
employment issues. The Employment Consultant Training System, Career
Tracks, offers a comprehensive training from the new hire to the
seasoned professional to management wanting to understand this critical
support position for job seekers with disabilities.
CIETAT has a 13 year history in Tennessee for delivering cutting
edge training and technical assistance in supported employment.
Corporate
Connections
Corporate Connections is a statewide resource and employment service
assisting Tennessee businesses in recruiting, hiring, and retaining
employees with disabilities. A regional point of contact is available
to offer consultation and educational information for enhanced
diversity in the workplace. Corporate Connections links employers
with qualified job candidates and provides follow up services
throughout the employment process. The Program is funded by the
Tennessee Division of Rehabilitation Services and administered
by the University of Tennessee, Center on Disability and Employment.
Corporate Connections PowerPoint summary
Services for Target Audiences
Employers
Resources
Training, consultation, and technical assistance are provided
on topics such as:
- Disability awareness education
- Job accommodations and accessibility
- Tax incentives for companies
- Community services and resource professionals
- The Americans with Disabilities Act
- Public relations and business networking opportunities
Recruiting
Assistance is available in locating qualified applicants to fill
job openings by:
- Identifying company employment needs
- Surveying work environments and job requirements
- Distributing information on current job openings to candidate
referral sources
- Pre-screening and providing references on potential job candidates
- Follow up with company throughout the interviewing and hiring
process
Retention
Services are provided to assist companies in retaining a qualified
and diverse workforce through:
- Assisting in the implementation of job accommodations for
current employees
- Linking companies with community resources
- Highlighting successful company employment practices through
community public relations activities
Service Providers and Individuals
with Disabilities
- Corporate Connections provides marketing and public relations
services for the TN Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS).
- Regional Account Representatives are available as resources
to provide information in areas such as labor market trends
and available job opportunities.
- Account Representatives pre-screen potential job applicants.
- Account Representatives provide references and follow job
candidates through the employment process with Corporate Connections
company accounts.
- The program maintains a database to track job candidates through
the employment process.
Students and Faculty
- Corporate Connections provides employment services and resources
for UT students with disabilities served by TN DRS.
- Corporate Connections provides educational information and
resources for students studying human resource, diversity and
disability management.
- Corporate Connections provides services to the UT Office of
Human Resource Management by recruiting and pre-screening potential
applicants for employment.
The Public and Community
- Corporate Connections promotes awareness and education regarding
employment of people with disabilities through public relations
activities.
- Corporate Connections coordinates media opportunities to promote
employment for people with disabilities.
- Corporate Connections conducts community educational programs
to promote employment of people with disabilities for business
professionals and civic organizations.
Self-Determination and Career Planning
The Self-Determination project works directly with individuals
and their support networks to assist with the development of approaches
that promote empowerment, advocacy, and self-direction. The overall
goal of this project is to provide opportunities for students in
high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools to learn about
themselves, take a strong role in the IEP process, and learn about
post-school resources that will lead to employment.
What is Self-Determination?
Self-Determination is a learning process that is person-centered. Each student learns key steps to make responsible decisions about their daily actions and long-term decisions related to life after school. Students who have self-determination skills have a stronger chance of being successful in making the transition to adulthood, including employment and independence (Bremer, Kachgal, & Schoeller, 2003).
What is Career Planning?
Action planning with significant others to work toward a desired career.
- Identifying dreams
- Exploring interests
- Identifying skills
- Defining preferences
- Exploring job opportunities
- Developing a resume
- Developing a Career Path.
The Self-Determination and Career Planning Approach offers…
- Training to teachers and school systems
- Curriculum to be incorporated in existing course of studies
- Student Materials for self-discovery and skill development
- Technical Assistance related to success indicators and best practices.
The Self-Determination and Career Planning Approach empowers students to become self-advocates, speaking out about their interests and preferences, and taking action toward developing a career path.
What Students and Teachers Say about Self-Determination
“Self-Advocacy means standing up for myself.” Student
"Anderson County Schools has incorporated the Self-Determination Curriculum provided by University of Tennessee Center on Disability and Employment at elementary, middle, and high schools in our system. Students enjoy the curriculum and are developing skills they can use for the rest of their lives. The curriculum is very student-centered and activity-based.
It has been very rewarding to see high school students in particular openly discussing their own accommodations needed and talking about the IEP process. Students demonstrate increased self-confidence and a curiosity about the IEP that indicates we are on the right track. The skills they are learning are vital to the transition process." Transition Coordinator.
“Materials fit into a variety of courses in the middle school curriculum and should be offered to all students, not just to those with IEPs.” Teacher.
“Students gain confidence and purpose for learning with self-determination classes. I had a student improve her attendance from 78% to 93% because she discovered that she had a need for learning in order to seek the career of her interest. Many students have begun to speak up in the IEP meetings about classes to take or to wait another year to take.” Teacher.
“The self-advocacy program for elementary students helps them discover who they are, the strengths they have, and how to make decisions about their future. Instead of leaving these skills to chance, the program teaches the skills and builds self-esteem, a critical skill for academic and personal success.” Teacher.
Five Principles of Self-Determination
- Freedom … to make choices
- Authority … to direct services
- Support … to seek support
- Responsibility … for actions
- Confirmation … of achieving goals
By understanding the concepts of the self-determination principles, students gain knowledge in:
- self-advocacy
- decision-making
- problem solving skills
- listening skills
- goal setting skills
- increased self-esteem
- personal exploration activities
- leadership development
- career plan development.
By incorporating the concepts of the self-determination and career planning approach, transition efforts profit because the student is:
- fully involved in the process
- committed to a successful outcome.
Students learn to:
- Endeavor to dream their dreams and make their dreams known to others by speaking up for themselves.
- Take responsibility for developing a career path of action to make their dreams a reality.
- Identify resources in the community for continued supports.
Products
Self-Determination and Career Planning Curriculum for Elementary, Middle, and High School students.
- Self-Advocacy for Pre-Teens
- Self-Advocacy Instructor’s Manual
- Student Notebook
- Student Profile
- Career Path.
The Self-Determination project is presently conducting a study
that will determine the effectiveness of the self-determination
approach toward participants applying the principles of self-determination
in their transition to community employment.
Self-Determination training is provided in five formats: 1) direct
face-to-face training with students, 2) train-the-trainer workshops
for teachers, 3) learning modules for teachers and students, 4)
distance learning activities, and 5) information for parents.
The self-determination project offers practicum and internship
opportunities to graduate students interested in developing skills
in the areas of self-determination, person-centered planning, community
employment, and transition school to work. Students interested in
these areas should call for an overview of the project opportunities.
The expected outcome of the self-determination project is that
through the training and technical assistance with students, teachers,
and families self-determination practices will evolve: 1) Students
will take an active role in their IEP process and plan for post-school
employment and/or education opportunities, 2) Teachers will incorporate
self-determination practices and curriculum in to the existing school
curriculum and experiences, and 3) Families will demonstrate the
ability to support the growth and post-school career planning for
their family members.
Representatives from post-school resources (VR, MR/DD/MH, One-Stop
Centers, higher education [technical colleges, and universities],
and employers) receive technical support to increase their involvement
and linkages with the students and their circle of supports to be
a positive stakeholder in the seamless transition process.
Research
Research activities under the Inclusive Community Development Project
are intended to compliment self-determination services by collecting
and reporting the outcomes of the self-determination project. Research
and Development activities include: 1) designing and maintaining
a database to track outcomes of self-determination trainings and
to study results reported to publish research with an intent to
improve practices, 2) developing an infrastructure for dissemination
of self-determination practices through practice briefs and customer
satisfaction products.
The Transition Service Integration Project
The Transition Service Integration project is:
- Intensive Discovery Process
- Person Center Planning
- 1:3 ratio staff to young adult
- Learning: Work Skills, Functional Skills, Life Skills
- 6 hours of Instruction in the Community
Services Offered:
- Create Awareness among Special Education and Adult Service System leaders.
- Offer knowledge and skill training to:
- Teachers
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors
- Community Providers (adult service agencies that typically assist adults with significant support needs)
- Present the Transition Service Integration Project to Community Leaders:
- Special Education Personnel: Teachers, Transition Coordinators, Supervisors, Directors
- Highs School Principals
- Workforce Development
- Vocational Rehabilitation: Counselors, Supported Employment Professionals, Supervisors
- Community service providers: Direct Service Staff, Supervisors, Directors of Agencies.
Life After Graduation
Work:
- Job assessments in the real work environment
- Learn good work habits
- Look for a job
Non-Work
- Recreation
- Leisure
- Functional Life Skills.
Click on the following link for even more useful information. School to life
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