Welcome to The RAISE Standard Newsletter:

Independence: What does independence mean? It depends on whom you ask. In this issue of RAISE The Standard, we offer perspectives from students, adults, and parents about what independence means to them.
Continue Reading The STANDARD: 5.6, July 2019

Customized Employment and Job Creation: An approach to hiring, retention, and return to work that ties the strengths, conditions, and interests of a job candidate or employee to the business needs of an employer. It provides greater employee satisfaction and productivity, among other benefits, bringing better retention and profitability for employers. It can bring people from diverse populations, including those with disabilities, into the workplace to contribute their untapped talents to businesses. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 5.5, June 2019

Mental Health Month: More than 44 million adults in the US. report having had a mental health condition during the past year – that is more than 18 percent of the US population or nearly one in five people. This makes psychiatric disabilities one of the most common types of disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Continue Reading The STANDARD: 5.4, May 2019

Workplace Safety: In 2014, nearly 5,000 workers were killed on the job, and more than 3.7 million were injured or became ill; and the rate of workplace injury among employees in vocational rehabilitation programs is 60% higher than that of injured workers as a whole. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 5.3, April 2019

Post-secondary Education: In this issue, we look at the topic of post-secondary education for students with disabilities. We explore options and ideas for 2- and 4-year college programs, as well as trade and vocational programs. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 5.2, Feb 2019

Mentoring: Youth mentoring can take many different forms. It can take place one-on-one through personal face-to-face meetings, in groups, through email exchanges, telephone conversations, letters, or any other form of communication. It can be done through schools, or at work or through community agencies. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 5.1, Jan 2019

Technology for Independence: In this issue of RAISE The Standard, we take a look at the role of technology in opening doors to jobs, mobility, communication and independent living. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 4.8, Dec 2018

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). It’s a great time to raise awareness about disability issues and to celebrate the important contributions of people with disabilities. The theme for 2018 is “America’s Workforce: Empowering All.” Continue Reading The STANDARD: 4.7, Oct 2018

Health Care Transitions: With planning and support, youth can gain self-care and independence as they engage in their own wellness, learn how to manage medication and treatment, and learn about options for health insurance coverage to make sure they stay healthy and empowered. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 4.6, Sep 2018

DIVERSABILITY: Disability, Pride & Identity: Are you “autistic” or “a person with autism?” Are you “a person with an intellectual disability” or “intellectually disabled?” Are you “deaf” or “a person who is deaf?” Is “disability” a bad word? Continue Reading The STANDARD: 4.5, Jul/Aug 2018

Transition to Civic Engagement: As Americans, “we the people” all have a right AND a responsibility, to be part of our democracy. This issue of RAISE The Standard is focused on the transition to civic engagement for youth with disabilities. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 4.4, Jun 2018

Considering Careers in the Arts: Whether you are an aspiring artist or just an art lover, there is no limit to imagination and creativity. A career in the arts –visual arts, music, dance, theater, perfrmance – can be hard, but for those with the drive and ambition, it should not be overlooked as a transition outcome. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 4.3, Apr/May 2018

In this issue of RAISE, we take a deeper look at self-direction as it relates to decision-making, and we explore the nuanced nature of supported decision-making (SDM). Continue Reading The STANDARD: 4.2, Mar 2018

Soft Skills—What are They?: In this Valentine’s Day edition of The RAISE Standard e-news, we will look at the importance of these and other soft skills, and how to teach them so young people are ready to go to work. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 4.1, Feb 2018

Harassment in School and the Workplace: With all the news about harassment and misconduct in the workplace, this issue delves into an open discussion about harassment – sexual and otherwise – in the workplace and in school, and how it affects people with disabilities. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 3.6, Dec 2017

College: This month, as we head back to school, we focus on those who are college-bound, and those who hope to be. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 3.5, Sep 2017

Relationships: This month, we focus on tools and resources you can share with schools, transition leaders and families to help them assist students in building skills needed to build positive lasting relationships, starting with a positive relationship with oneself. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 3.4, Aug 2017

This month, we focus our attention on tools and resources you can share with schools, transition leaders, and families to help them in their efforts to assist students in learning and practicing financial management skills. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 3.3, Jun 2017

Apprenticeships: Apprenticeship is an important strategy for job seekers looking for experience that can lead to a career. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 3.2, Apr 2017

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN): Free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 3.1, Jan 2017

Technology: When the technology is not accessible; assistive technology in action Continue Reading The STANDARD: 2.8, Dec 2016

National Disability Employment Awareness Month: Hear from top leaders about how the federal government is working to increase hiring, advancement, and retention of people with disabilities, and learn about a new multi-sector disability mentoring model. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 2.7, Oct 2016

Election 2016: Election season is in full swing and it has never been a better time to help ensure that students and youth with disabilities are prepared as young citizens, and that they understand their right to full political participation. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 2.6, Sep 2016

Service Learning and Volunteerism: Sometimes, effective communication requires taking action. All young people can be part of the dialogue on social change. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 2.5, Jul 2016

Self-Awareness and Self-Advocacy: Sometimes, the person who REALLY needs to listen to you is YOU. That voice inside your head has a huge impact on how you live your life. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 2.4, Jun 2016

Centers for Independent Living: Our nation’s network of more than 400 Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are a terrific resource for students in the transition years, and for those working with them to plan for the future. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 2.3, May 2016

Hidden Disabilities and Workforce Readiness: According to the US Department of Education, approximately half of the six million children in special education programs in the United States, have learning disabilities. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 2.2, Mar 2016

New Year, New Site: Effective communication is a two-way street, so learning to LISTEN is vital. Students can be instructed in a set of “active listening” skills to help them improve communication, especially on the job. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 2.1, Jan 2016

It’s My Future!: Students with disabilities need to LEARN how to DISAGREE (respectfully) as part of transition. It is a vital aspect of self-advocacy and an important safety skill. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 1.3, Dec 2015

National Disability Employment Month: How can young people with disabilities plan for, and decide about, disability disclosure? Continue Reading The STANDARD: 1.2, Nov 2015

Helping Military Families: Many Parent Centers have military installations in their areas of responsibility. What about those service members who are not on installations? There are many military-connected families in areas that do not live or work behind the gates or walls of a typical installation. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 1.1, Oct 2015