Here is today's KCDC Disability News message. I hope you have a wonderful day. 

Martha

*Martha K. Gabehart* | "Executive Director
"Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns (KCDC)
*Kansas Governor Laura Kelly
*900 SW Jackson, Suite 100 | Topeka, Kansas 66612
(785) 296-6525 (direct) | (785) 260-4027 (cell)

[email protected] | www.kcdcinfo.ks.gov [ [link removed] ]

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This message is from Robert Cooper, Executive Director of the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KCDHH).

Sharing with you as got a good resource coming out from North Carolina which was shared on NASADHH’s Basecamp. NASADHH is National Association of State Agencies serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH), in which 40 states are represented - usually those with agencies similar to KCDHH and some are called Office of D/HH for example. Jan Withers is the State Director of North Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (NCDSDHH). KCDHH believes this information would have a value to your interest.

From: Jan Withers (Basecamp) Sent: Friday, March 17, 2023 11:18 AM Subject: (NASADHH HQ) Telehealth Accessibility Resources

Colleagues, below is an announcement I sent out yesterday and which I want to share with you all.

It is with great excitement that I am announcing the release of the North Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH) Telehealth Guidance and Resources Landing Page. Click here [ [link removed] ] to see the one-stop webpage that provides guidance, resources, and tips to assist Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind patients, their healthcare providers, and American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters in achieving fully-accessible telehealth experiences.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a rapid and widespread transition from in-person healthcare visits to telehealth visits. NCDSDHH as well as other stakeholders observed that the vast majority of telehealth platforms and services were not accessible to people with hearing loss. Unfortunately, this lack of access continues to be a major barrier. It is a clear disparity that could adversely affect the health outcomes of so many of North Carolina’s 1.2 million people with hearing loss; people with hearing loss need to have the same level of access during appointments done remotely as anyone in the general population.

These guides and resources are designed to help ensure telehealth equity and ultimately health equity; this webpage likely contains the most comprehensive and vetted array of materials in the nation. As I’ve said often, for people with hearing loss, the goal – which is clear communication – is easy to understand, but achieving it is complicated. This is due to the wide variation in the degree and type of hearing loss and how people communicate; these guides and resources are designed to address this complexity. As telehealth technology and services continue to evolve, we welcome input to help us keep these guides and resources up to date.

Please share the Telehealth Guidance and Resources Landing Page and accompanying materials far and wide so Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind populations using telehealth have the best chance of achieving health equity.

Many thanks go to the NC Office of Rural Health, the Office of the General Counsel for the NC Department of Health and Human Services, the Center for Connected Health Policy, the National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers, and individuals too numerous to list here for their partnership throughout the development and review process.
Thank you for your support for communication equity!

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The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) has released an update of their schedule of public hearings on the Brain Injury Waiver Renewal.  They cancelled the 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm session on Thursday, April 20th at the Hilton Garden Inn in Hays, Kansas.  See the attachment below for more information.  

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Reminder: Save the date for April 19, 2023 Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Final Rule Stakeholder call at 12:00 pm Noon. See the attachment below for the Zoom link to virtually participate.  

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Job Vacancy Announcements

The Intrust Bank job vacancy listing is attached below. Please feel free to share with others. 

Blue Cross/Blue Shield has posted several new job vacancy announcements on their website [ [link removed] ]. Please share with others.  

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The Viscardi Center provides digital accessibility services for employers and others. 

Digital Accessibility Services

New Website Launch

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new, fully accessible Digital Accessibility Services website [ [link removed] ]. This site, a model for website accessibility, was created to inform organizations like yours about services such as Document and Website Accessibility, video captioning and CART, that can help ensure your digital assets are inclusive for all. It also provides resources, such as our blog, so you can stay up on the latest trends in digital accessibility.

Key features include:

• Overview of Our Services

The microsite provides a detailed description of our services (Document Accessibility, Website Accessibility, Captioning, and Audio Description). Our Digital Accessibility Services team has over 60-years of experience making documents, websites, videos, meetings, and events fully accessible and compliant.

• Client Portal Link

This portal is an easy, secure, and efficient way for clients to submit and receive files and communicate with our team.

• Helpful Resources

This library of resources such as videos, blogs, and multimedia materials, provides an overview of the importance of digital accessibility as well as information on a broad range of related topics.

• Get a Quote

This feature makes it easier and quicker to request a pricing quote for any of our services. Fill out the form on our page and we will get back to you with a personalized quote.

Check out our new website [ [link removed] ] as we march through a new year full of promises.

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This information was shared by Stacie Martin, Education Program Consultant with the Kansas Department of Education. 

Dear Colleagues,

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is excited to announce an upcoming kickoff event for the transition initiative, Expect, Engage, Empower: Successful Transitions for All!, virtually on May 10, 2023, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm Eastern!  The event is open to the public and your support in sharing this information is greatly appreciated.

About the Event

Improving how we address transition services for youth with disabilities and their families is a critical need that will only be improved through prioritized and collaborative efforts. The 3E initiative will provide an opportunity for the field to join OSEP in the challenge to raise expectations, engage families earlier, and fully empower all who support transition services to improve postschool outcomes for children and youth with disabilities and their families. OSEP believes that every part of education, from instructional practices to related services to curricular standards and beyond, is critical to the seamless delivery of high-quality IDEA transition programming that leads, connects, and builds toward the purpose of readying youth with disabilities for lifelong success. Such seamless delivery relies on the collaboration between educators, vocational rehabilitation, and other service providers with authentic engagement of youth and families. The Expect, Engage, Empower initiative is an opportunity to bring together various stakeholders to explore potential strategies and innovative approaches to address transition for children and youth with disabilities.

The virtual kickoff event will be held on May 10, 2023, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm Eastern. Click the button below to register.

Register Here [ [link removed] ]

Additional updates on important resources, event, and information will be continue to be posted on OSEP’s Expect, Engage, Empower: Successful Transition for All homepage [ [link removed] ]. We thank you in advance for your efforts toward this endeavor and look forward to you joining us on May 10, 2023, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm Eastern!

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact the planning team at [email protected].


* HCBS Final Rule Stakeholder Call Reminder 4_19_23.pdf [ [link removed] ]
* BI Waiver invitation 3.15.2023_UPDATED 4 19 2023.pdf [ [link removed] ]

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